Position: Manager – Public Affairs Department, NEA-Alaska
Location: 4100 Spenard Road, Anchorage, Alaska
Salary Range: $110,000-$125,000 DOE
Applications Due: January 2nd
Position Summary:
The NEA-Alaska Communications Director will lead the Public Affairs Department and focus on both internal and external communications efforts with key audiences and constituencies to expand our association’s influence, promote the cause of public education, and reinforce the value of organized labor in Alaska.
The Communications Director serves as a part of the NEA-Alaska management team under the supervision of the Executive Director and works directly with the NEA-Alaska President. The Communications Director has primary responsibility for developing and directing strategic communications related to government relations, organizing, professional development, crisis mitigation, and protecting and enhancing public education.
The Communications Director works with the Public Affairs team to coordinate media relations, plan events, develop creative assets, place media buys, draft polls, and develop strategic plans around issues and policies that impact NEA-Alaska members and students.
The Communications Director is the direct supervisor for several employees, including the Digital Media Specialist, the Organizing Program Coordinator, the Public Affairs Program Coordinator, and Associate Staff.
The Communications Director also serves as consultant to the Board of Directors on matters of policy, internal and external communications, and strategic planning.
Application Instructions:
Apply by email: [email protected]
Applicants must submit a completed NEA-Alaska application, a current resume, and three (3) letters of reference. Applications are available at the button below. This position will be open until January 2nd.
NEA-Alaska is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Communications Director directs the statewide operation of NEA-Alaska’s Communications and Public Affairs Department, manages the day-to-day functions of our progressive, action-oriented, and member-driven communications image campaign, and develops and helps manage a significant line item in the NEA-Alaska budget.
- Develops and recommends Association policies for internal and external communications.
- Coordinates the planning and implementation of Association public relations and promotional activities.
- Develops and implements internal and external communications plans and programs for 10,000 members and education stakeholders around the state. The work encompasses member communications, marketing, public relations, advertising, media relations, online and new media/social networking.
- Assists in developing partnerships with external organizations.
- Manages the development and implementation of NEA-Alaska’s overall communications and message strategy.
- Manages all media relations and media outreach activities of the Association in cooperation with the Executive Director, management team, and NEA-Alaska President.
- Manages and coordinates electronic communications for the association, including the Association website, electronic newsletter, and social media.
- Assists in reviewing publications for NEA-Alaska Executive management.
- Manages and develops communication plans, sets strategy and crafts messages around ballot initiatives, legislative sessions, political campaigns, policy development and other union related actions.
- Manages and directs NEA-Alaska staff involved in communication activities, including developing communications skills, implementing communication plans and strategies, and assisting locals in crisis situations and messaging.
- Evaluates and has direct input into NEA-Alaska staff performance with respect to communications.
- Directly supervises the positions of Digital Media Specialist, Organizing Program Coordinator, Public Affairs Program Coordinator and Associate Staff, including hiring, mentoring, coaching, evaluation, and retention.
- Manages the membership and recruitment communications programs of the Association.
- Manages NEA-Alaska internal and external communications in NEA-Alaska endorsed political campaigns and statewide elections in consultation with the Government Relations and Community Outreach Director.
- Consults with and provides assistance to the Executive Director regarding public opinion research related to communications strategies.
- Consults with and provides assistance to Association governance (Board of Directors and Committees) regarding communication policy, public relations, and promotion and publication services.
- Manages the publication and dissemination of Association publications and promotional publications, including the NEA-AKtivist and electronic publications.
- Directs and reviews video production projects.
- Manages the preparation of speeches and talking points for the Executive Director, NEA-Alaska President, and Board of Directors.
- Manages the development and implementation of NEA-Alaska’s communications training programs, including those to NEA-Alaska members, locals, and staff.
- Develops and executes board-based communications plans that include benchmarks and measurements for success.
- Directs the work of outside consultants including but not limited to pollsters, media firms, ad agencies and graphic designers.
- Performs other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.
Qualifications:
- B.A. Degree in journalism, communications, public relations, public affairs, marketing, or related field. Advanced degree preferred.
- Demonstrated management skills applied to a variety of staff levels.
- At least 5 years' experience in communications, public relations, or related field in positions of increasing responsibility including positions guiding strategic planning and/or directing other team members.
- Proven experience in developing communications plans, setting strategy and executing plans with measurable success.
- Experience with local and large-scale organizing campaigns.
- Experience in developing integrated online strategies and advancing organizational goals through the use of new media.
- Excellent presentation skills and experience in speaking/presenting in front of groups larger than 50.
- Excellent written and verbal skills.
- The ability to think strategically and translate organizational goals into integrated communications strategies and tactics.
- The ability to think creatively to translate organizational goals into strategies that could generate buzz, spread virally, and/or generate earned media.
- Ability to work well in a team environment, juggle multiple priorities under pressure, respond to tight deadlines and answer to numerous stakeholders with competing needs.
- Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Power Point, and/or Adobe Creative Suite products.
- Strong background in data analysis.
- Understanding of multiple email and digital communications systems and CRM’s.
- Strong understanding of audience identification and analysis, including experience in using polling and research to craft messages.
- Broad understanding of the critical issues and problems facing teachers, education support professionals and public schools in Alaska and the nation.
Preferred Job Requirements:
- Experience developing a vision for new or expanded communications strategies and programs.
- Experience in and knowledge of public education issues.
- Graphic design skills and knowledge.
- Experience with paid advertising campaigns including work with ad agencies on creative development and media placement of TV, radio, and newspaper ads.
- Experience in union environment, government agency, public sector organization or non-profit.
- Experience in and knowledge of the political process and political strategy planning.
- Experience in working in a progressive, member-driven environment.
- Experience in developing and conducting communications/media/public relations training.
