Press, Public Affairs & Projects Officer - The British Consulate General (Chicago, IL)

Who: The British Consulate-General in Chicago

What: The British Consulate-General in Chicago is seeking a highly motivated Press, Public Affairs & Projects Officer to lead communications and public diplomacy for the British Consulate-General in Chicago and across the Midwest and Central United States. As well as being an important member of the Consulate’s team, the jobholder will work alongside our network of Press and Public Affairs and Prosperity teams across the US led by the British Embassy in Washington DC.

The jobholder will build media relationships, support visits and projects to enhance the UK’s reputation as a crucial partner for the US in politics, economics, global security, culture and innovation. Through digital and traditional media, the successful candidate will work to highlight the UK-US special cultural and trading relationship, and position the UK as a partner of choice for the US as we depart the European Union.

The balance of the workload will fluctuate according to the time of year and scheduled activities. In this varied role, the successful candidate will spend a portion of their time working on projects including educational initiatives such as the Marshall Scholarships programme. Working to build the UK’s prosperity, they will also support UK energy and climate change initiatives across Chicago and the Midwest. The position therefore requires flexibility in line with UK priorities but offers the opportunity to work in a wide and important range of areas.

Visit this link for additional information and to apply.

Director - Virginia Press Association - Glenn Allen, VA

Executive Director
Virginia Press Association

Glen Allen, VA

The Virginia Press Association seeks a dynamic leader to chart our course for the future. Anticipating the retirement of our long-time executive director, we’re searching for a trailblazer to build on past success, while addressing the challenges facing our members in the 21st century.

The next executive director will help define and implement VPA’s mission in a changing business environment. The candidate will work with the board, full-time staff, members, and others to create new opportunities for growth. This position will require detailed business planning skills, goal-setting, establishing measurable objectives, accurate cost estimates, and task deadlines.

Duties include: member relations, engagement and development; government relations and lobbying; sales, marketing and fundraising; community and industry relations; public speaking; programming and event planning; staff, P&L and administrative management. Meaningful experience in each is a job requirement, as are strong communication skills, superior organizational ability, and professional polish.

We will show preference to candidates with a background in journalism and media issues, association management, or government relations.

If interested, please send cover letter, resume and salary history and expectations to Marisa Porto, president, VPA Board of Directors, at mporto@dailypress.com.

Applications must be received by Tuesday, March 15.

Media Relations Specialist, The Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund - Oak Brook, IL

The Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF), a progressive and award-winning public pension fund, is offering a great opportunity for the right person.  IMRF is seeking a Media Relations Specialist to support numerous external outreach activities. The successful candidate will support IMRF’s media relations program, social media efforts, and numerous other external communications activities involving IMRF stakeholders. 

Our communications activities support IMRF’s vision of providing the highest quality retirement services to our members, their beneficiaries and employers. The successful candidate must have exceptional writing/editing skills; possess the professionalism to positively represent the organization before the media, IMRF stakeholders, and the general public; and be deadline driven with the ability to work under pressure. 

The successful Media Relations Specialist will:

• Assist Communications Manager with the development of the Media Relations Plan, including management of consultant relationship, outreach activities targeting both the mainstream and investments trade media. 
• Write and review press releases, op-ed’s, and letters to the editor; respond to media inquiries; prep senior leaders for interviews; facilitate media attendance at IMRF Board meetings; serve as an IMRF spokesperson; and track media inquiries and coverage. The position also prepares and reviews various communications collateral for use during media interviews and speaking engagements. 
• Assist Communications Manager in the development and execution of IMRF’s ongoing Social Media Plan, including the use of analytics to measure impact of strategies, identify gaps, and implement improvements. 
• .Manage IMRF’s annual series of workshops for retirees and the general public.  Responsibilities include attending more than a dozen workshops spread across the state; developing communications collateral for dissemination; providing an update on IMRF activities for the year; and fielding  questions. 
• Coordinate media outreach activities during series of annual meetings and webinars with IMRF employers. Responsibilities include attending close to a dozen meetings spread across the state; coordinating meetings held via webinar; developing communications collateral for dissemination at meetings; and facilitating onsite media interviews with IMRF senior leaders, and serving as a spokesperson as required. 
• Plan and execute educational videos for external stakeholders.

Desired Skills and Experience

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s Degree (BA or BS). A degree in communications, journalism or a related field is preferred. 
• 5 years experience in a similar position with responsibilities for media relations. 

• Prior experience measuring and articulating the impact of communications strategies and implementing improvements. 
• Prior experience building and maintaining effective working relationships with members of the media. 
• AP Style. 
• Adobe Creative Cloud applications experience 
• Valid driver’s license. 
• Willing to work a flexible schedule that includes non-traditional hours. The position may require overtime and will require overnight travel throughout Illinois. 
• Excellent public-speaking skills. 

 EXPERIENCE PREFERRED:

• Social media plan development and execution. 
• Constant Contact or similar email marketing tools. 
• Federal Plain Language Principles. 
• Crisis communications strategies. 

  

 Sorry, no relocation assistance available.  Visit our website at www.imrf.org for more information about IMRF and to apply online.

Communications Manager, Lincoln Institute of Land Policy - Cambridge, MA

Communications Manager

Lincoln Institute of Land Policy

Apply

Cambridge, MA

Communications Manager - Public Affairs

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy seeks an energetic, well-organized, and detail-oriented person to fill the role of Communications Manager. This is a full-time position based at the Lincoln Institute's headquarters in Cambridge, MA. The position provides a unique opportunity for a self-starter with initiative to strengthen the strategic communications program at an established think tank seeking to reconfirm brand identity, increase audience, raise profile, and maximize impact. The Communications Manager would manage day-to-day operations in developing content, media relations, engagement in public-facing events, website and social media, and internal communications. The position would report to the Director of Public Affairs and together work with the CEO and department leadership at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy to implement the strategic communications program. In addition to 5 years experience in marketing, public relations, journalism, branding, or some combination, an interest and knowledge in urban planning and the health of cities would be highly desirable.

Program Manager, Design for Learning, American Architectural Foundation - Washington, D.C.

Program Manager, Design for Learning 

American Architectural Foundation

March 6, 2015 

Professional Area: 

Academia

Community Development and Redevelopment

Economic Planning and Development

Facilities and Infrastructure Planning

Planning Management, Budgeting and Finance

Urban Design

Other topics not covered above

Experience: 

7-10 years

Email: 

info@archfoundation.org

Website: 

http://www.archfoundation.org

Location: 

WASHINGTON, DC

AAF seeks a Program Manager to assist in the planning and implementation of programs for its Design for Learning (DfL) initiative. The Design for Learning Program Manager plans and implements logistical arrangements for leadership education workshops, charrettes, institutes, forums, and other elements of the program nationally. The position is based at AAF’s offices in Washington, D.C., and will report to the President/CEO, who serves as the principal-in-charge of the program. 

Responsibilities

General responsibilities include:

• Develop and manage a comprehensive schedule of DfL activities to assure continuity of program and proper involvement of key program constituents
• Plan, manage and implement 4 to 6 national workshops each year, including
  • Visiting the city of each participating school district to assist in the identification and development of the case study presentation
  • Managing all administrative, budgetary and programmatic activities for each workshop, forum and design charrette, including logistics, transportation, housing, meals, and printed materials
  • Identifying, recruiting, and managing the participation of resource team members and education leaders in various DfL programs
  • Attending all workshops and events
• Produce newsletters, web content, press releases and other methods of communicating the activities of DfL for a variety of audiences
• Provide stewardship for key partnerships, and participate in identifying, seeking and obtaining operating funds from various funding partners to expand programmatic offerings and impact
• Identify and apply for AAF and the Design for Learning team to present at select national architectural, educational or related events, conventions or forums
• Coordinate with partnering organizations on external communications, including media relations, creation of periodic newsletter, social media, and web content
• Manage the production of periodic reports for funders and other partners
• Implement and coordinate contracts, budget management, and financial reporting in conjunction with AAF's finance office

Education 

• Bachelor’s degree (master’s degree preferred), preferably in architecture

Experience Required

• 7-10 years of experience in an increasingly responsible position
• Experience administering and managing a $1 million budget
• Experience in organizing meetings, conferences and events, especially those designed to inform and engage local leaders
• Experience in fundraising and partnership development/management
• Experience and passion for employing design as a tool for implementing change in large bureaucracies, or experience working in a public school environment in a facility design or senior leadership role
• Knowledge of a broad range of design issues related to public education (contemporary national education issues, educational facility design, school governance, and political systems, current and emerging trends in school improvement, school design and the design process) and design (design challenges encountered by civic and educational leaders)
• Knowledge of planning and design challenges facing American public schools

Position Requirements

• Excellent writing, organizational, collaborative, and project management skills
• Ability to communicate effectively on issues related to public education, design, design thinking, and architecture with a wide range of persons including executive and elected officials
• Ability to travel up to 30% of the time
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail with attention to detail, scheduling, follow-through, and diplomacy
• Politically savvy – able to effectively engage with senior educational leaders and sophisticated funders
• Entrepreneurial, energetic, results-oriented, and outcome-driven
• Background or interest in the arts, architecture, design, community development
• Ability to multi-task in a small staff environment

Philosophy

While it is important for the incumbent to have knowledge about the broad issues identified above, it is essential that the Program Manager understand that Design for Learning provides practical support to innovative educators, elected officials and Foundation leaders who seek dramatic and meaningful educational transformation. 

Design for Learning is not an academic think tank, research center, nor policy development institution. Rather, DfL provides a new set of tools and processes in support of those who seek to create new environments for 21st century learning and in assisting educators make better more informed decisions about the design of their learning environments. The Program Manager should express a strong service attitude toward local education leaders and commitment to this philosophy.

Salary and Benefits

AAF offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package.

Application Process

Please submit a résumé, cover letter, and a list of three professional references no later than Friday, April 3, to info@archfoundation.org. The subject header shall be “Design for Learning Manager.”

Do not submit supplementary materials at this time. Candidates selected for interviews will be asked for writing and/or design samples. No phone calls please.

The American Architectural Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.