Nonprofit Remote Digest - Issue #521
Run for Something recruits and supports young progressives running for down ballot office across the United States. After launching in January 2017, we have recruited over 46,000 potential political candidates, endorsed more than 900, and are responsible for about 300 new elected officials around the country.
Run For Something — runforsomething.net Run for Something recruits and supports talented, passionate young people who will advocate for progressive values now and for the next 30 years, with the ultimate goal of building a progressive bench.
Communications and Special Projects Manager
About Run for Something
Run for Something recruits and supports young progressives running for down-ballot offices in the United States. After launching in January 2017, we have recruited more than 65,000 potential political candidates, endorsed more than 1500, and are responsible for over 485 new elected officials around the country.
Position Summary
Run for Something is currently hiring for a Communications and Special Projects Manager.
Reporting Structure: This role reports to the Executive Director.
Essential Duties: The primary responsibilities include managing communications projects through coordinating with external and internal stakeholders, writing and maintaining internal and external collateral, and working hand-in-hand with the Senior Digital Communications Manager to hold ourselves accountable to team goals.
Job Classification: Non-Exempt
Responsibilities
The Communications & Special Projects Manager will help RFS accomplish our strategic imperatives via:
Communications project management (approximately 45%):
Work with Executive Director, Senior Digital Communications Manager, and communications consultants to synthesize organizational goals into a holistic communications department plan
Manage weekly calls with all members of the communications team, including communications vendors, ensuring they have what they need to effectively pitch reporters and deal with incoming press requests
Create and maintain internal and external collateral (talking points, presentations, online content) and other writing projects as needed
Create internal processes for digital communications, media relations, and programs to better coordinate between and among departments
Partner with Senior Digital Communications Manager to identify communications KPIs (quantitative and qualitative) and track measurement to goals
Manage Run for Something organizational and candidate/alumni clips (using tools like Meltwater and/or Google alerts) and share out to appropriate recipients (internally and externally)
Cross department coordination (approximately 45%):
Owning efforts like National Run for Office Day and earned media efforts -- including writing project plans, aligning with internal and external stakeholders, getting approval, running day-to-day project execution, holding the entire team accountable to the goals, and debriefing after the project concludes
Oversee and execute communications roll-outs for endorsements and other RFS initiatives in partnership with the Senior Digital Communications Manager and communications vendors. Components of an endorsement roll out could include (but not limited to) press releases, social media, exclusive and/or targeted pitches, videos, and more.
Support Run for Something team in communications-related work (10%):
Act as a thought partner with Senior Digital Communications Manager on content and as a quality assurance check on digital assets
Coach and support RFS staff on communications skills including media training and alignment on RFS messaging
Other projects as assigned by Executive Director
Note: This role does not include working with reporters. The person holding this position will support contractors doing pitching but will not be on the record nor directly connected with the press. This role involves some strategic leadership; the person holding it will, for example, draft talking points and build out holistic communications plans -- but is not purely (or even mostly) a messaging strategist.
Key Goals
Consistent two-way communication between all members of the communications team (both internal and external) and other departments
Monthly and quarterly updated collateral (talking points, decks, etc)
Clear project management process of major initiatives with regular MOCHAs, clear goals and objectives, project plans with opportunities for stakeholder feedback, and debriefs
Establish process where necessary to better facilitate internal coordination without over-process-ing
Identifying and holding RFS communications team (contractors & internal stakeholders) accountable to quantitative and qualitative KPIs
Minimum Qualifications
Expert project manager for cross-functional initiatives, with a perspective on project management tactics
1+ years experience in a communications department
Strong writer
Ability to translate organization and departmental big goals into communications tactics, identify clear steps for executing on them, then following that plan for execution
Able to effectively manage toward multiple deadlines at once; habitually reporting back to peers and supervisors on progress in order to align on expectations
Regularly updated on political news and always thinking about how Run for Something can be a part of the story
Comfortable in a remote work environment -- able to manage your own time and prioritize (or re-prioritize) regularly without micromanagement from supervisors; comfortable with over-communication in written form; regularly documenting work processes and “thinking out loud” in writing
Able to both manage up and manage laterally; not afraid to hold peers or supervisors accountable to deadlines
Detail-oriented -- would never let a document with a typo go out the door or send a calendar invite for the wrong date
Demonstrated ability to work in and contribute to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment
Ability to demonstrate Run for Something’s organizational values: Bold & Fearless; Open & Honest; Supportive & Respectful; Progressive & Diverse; Long-term & Strategic. (Learn more about our Values in our Strategic Plan.)
Ability to work independently for extended periods of time in a remote environment
Strong commitment to the Run for Something mission
We value diversity at Run for Something. We strongly encourage applications from members of marginalized communities who have been disproportionately affected by lack of representation in legislative bodies, including people of color, women, and the LGBTQIA+ and disabled communities.
Pluses
Comfortable with Meltwater
Familiar with The Management Center tools and MOCHA project management
3+ years of work experience
1+ years of working directly with a principal
1+ years of experience inside a political or non-profit organization
Fluency in more than one language
Work Environment
Run for Something is a national organization with a remote office structure; you will collaborate with colleagues who are based across the United States. You should be prepared to either work from home or a location of your choosing.
This position requires the ability to work set, core hours, Monday through Friday.
When safe given pandemic conditions, this position will require travel approximately 10% of the time, as needed.
This position will require some nights and weekends work, as needed.
Employees will be required to attend the annual Run for Something staff retreat. Employees are also required to attend Party for Something and other events as needed.
Run for Something is not just an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building teams that reflect the diversity of our candidates, and to building equitable and inclusive environments that fully leverage the skills, potential, and unique perspectives of our employees.
Essential Physical Requirements
As this is a remote position, the person in this position must be able to communicate with colleagues and partners via phone, including conference and video calls, as well as written communication such as Slack and email.
The position requires the ability to work on a computer for all or part of the work day.
The position requires the ability to attend events which may encompass all or part of the work day.
Travel may involve transportation via airplane, car, or trains.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary is commensurate with experience, with a range of $65,000-$75,000.
Benefits
Unlimited Paid Time Off policy
$500/year professional development stipend
$500/year Treat Yourself Stipend (that is what it sounds like--$500 to do something that brings you joy!)
$500/every three years equipment stipend
Medical Insurance (up to 90% premium covered)
Dental and Vision Insurance (99.9% of premium covered)
401k
Annual Work from Home Stipend
Monthly data stipend
In addition to unlimited Paid Time Off, over three weeks in organization-wide holiday closures, including December 24-January 2.
Summer Fridays
12 weeks paid family leave
Flexible, remote work environment
How to Apply
Click here and fill out the form to apply.
The deadline for applications is 10:00am ET on Tuesday, February 16th.