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Nonprofit Remote Digest - Issue #657
Resource Media is a nonprofit communications organization dedicated to expanding and improving the quantity and quality of media coverage of environmental and public health issues.
Health, equity, justice and sustainability. — www.resource-media.org Resource Media is a nonprofit communications firm focused on social change. We provide media strategy and support to progressive causes.
Senior Program Director
ABOUT YOU
It’s a noisy world out there, and being heard is only half the battle; you’re a creative, curious communications professional with a passion for changing hearts and minds. You’re a quick study, ready to geek out on clean energy or brush up on the latest TikTok trend. You have a nose for politics and are energized by the occasional rapid response campaign.
You’re also a persuasive writer. You relish corresponding with reporters to convince them to dive in on a story. You enjoy deep research — mining news clips and online conversations for those “aha” moments that spark new outreach and ideas.
Most importantly, you’re a committed team player who’s grounded in equity and justice. Your self-awareness and humility help foster healthy relationships with colleagues and partners.
ABOUT US
Resource Media is a nonprofit PR firm working for social change. We provide communications services to a variety of progressive organizations and causes and also operate independently or in coalition. We work on issues that have an impact on the health of people and the planet, including climate change and clean energy; social and environmental justice; public health; and food and farms.
At Resource Media, we know that there is no progress without equity. We embrace and honor differences in age, culture, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity and expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees and partners unique. It’s our moral and strategic imperative to build cultural competence and cultural humility and to eradicate oppression in all its forms, both within our organization and in our work.
We commit to:
Pursue ongoing learning, self-reflection, candor, and transparency about equity and justice in our organization and in our work.
Build relationships and partnerships that dismantle interlocking systems of oppression and shift power to marginalized communities.
Evaluate our decision-making and strategy through the lens of equity and justice.
Conduct regular and public assessments of our progress and effectiveness on equity issues.
Dedicate two percent of all our revenue to an Equity Impact Program that enables us to respond to more opportunities and needs that arise when working in diverse and historically marginalized communities.
MORE ABOUT THE SENIOR PROGRAM DIRECTOR POSITION
We’re looking for a Senior Program Director to create communications strategies, develop, and maintain client relationships — primarily in support of our growing clean energy and environmental justice portfolio. Location is flexible within the continental US.
“Program” at Resource Media refers to our mission-driven communications work, and this position will support our climate and energy program. As a senior member of the team, the Senior Program Director leads the design and implementation of communications strategies. Using your passion for all things climate, energy and justice, you will manage media relations, content development and creative social media campaigns, and bring your valuable insight and expertise internally; collaborating on professional development, business development, and more.
Senior Program Directors at Resource Media are more than just proficient communicators; they’re organized and relational collaborators, always strengthening their resilience for the realities of our work: multitasking, ambiguity, and a world in flux. To support that strengthening, we invest in mentorship, training, and ongoing support. We’re asking the new Senior Program Director to come in the door with a proven track record in strategic communications, a strong interest in social change, and a willingness to learn and grow.
Here are a few things you will be responsible for:
Communications Leadership
Develop and maintain deep issue expertise and cultivate primary relationships with funders and clients.
Lead projects from start to finish, including scoping, ideation and concepting, project development, contract and grant management, client relations, project oversight, vendor coordination and team coordination.
Lead client-facing communication, including facilitating meetings, sharing insights and recommendations and helping troubleshoot communications challenges.
Develop and execute communications plans and approaches that include messaging, strategy and tactics for a variety of projects and issues.
Produce a wide range of content: messaging, talking points, blog posts, opinion columns, web pages, video and infographic treatments, social shares, press releases and pitches, emails, visuals, backgrounders, handouts, slide decks, paid ads, mini-reports.
Devise and execute wide-ranging media outreach strategies, including: story and opinion pitching to media outlets, development and maintenance of media lists and reporter relationships, coverage tracking and reporter follow-up.
Devise and manage research processes to inform strategy development. This can include public opinion research, media and digital analyses, stakeholder interviews, materials review, and more.
Present and facilitate meetings, trainings, workshops, and conferences.
Maintain and update skills in a changing communications landscape and share learning and experience via RM blogs, staff meetings, and webinars.
Relationship and Project Management
Lead grant proposal and report writing, developing strong, persuasive proposals and reports.
Demonstrate an understanding of client service and the interpersonal communications, and responsiveness needed to create and maintain strong, trusting client relationships.
Hire and oversee contractors, such as graphic designers, video producers and photographers.
Promote Resource Media services and resources through blog posts on Resource Media’s website or elsewhere online.
Network within the climate and clean energy advocacy space and/or your local community to build relationships and learn.
Serve on and lead Resource Media committees, as needed and desired.
Foster a collaborative and mutually-supportive work atmosphere throughout the organization.
Facilitate opportunities for staff development and growth through project work and assignments.
Equity and Justice
Commitment to equity as the cornerstone of progress toward a just and sustainable world.
Support and participate in equity and inclusion work in the organization, including participation in relevant committees, trainings, and caucuses.
Demonstrate a keen understanding of one’s own race, culture, and identity, and how it fits into the staff and client environment and landscape, as well as the world at large.
Model vulnerability and accountability.
Comfortable giving and receiving feedback.
Model a sensitivity toward dynamics between white mainstream audiences and the needs and priorities of diverse communities, as well as the ability to manage work within and for a number of different identities, both internally and externally.
Demonstrate an ability to communicate across differences.
To be successful in this role, these minimum qualifications are essential:
Seven to 10 years in communications, public relations, media, nonprofit communications, community-based advocacy, political or election campaign work; OR an equivalent combination of study or lived experience.
Strong strategic communications chops, demonstrated by an ability to diagnose a situation, identify research needs and develop a recommended strategy, message and tactical game-plan to move the needle.
Demonstrated skill in persuasive writing for a variety of audiences and media.
Demonstrated experience in digital media platforms and strategy, from e-newsletters to Instagram.
Demonstrated understanding of public policy and the role of communications in building support for social change.
Ability to manage details and track work with multiple teams with shifting priorities and timelines.
Demonstrated ability to delve into the details and nuances of a specific issue set.
Additional skills that we value, but do not require:
Experience in a complementary field, such as organizing and community outreach, political or electoral campaigning, advertising and other creative fields, event management, or public affairs.
Knowledge of the political dynamics and communities in the Pacific Northwest and Mountain West.
Background in clean energy and climate change advocacy.
Familiarity with one or more media research tools, such as Cision, Meltwater, LexisNexis, Radian 6, or Crimson Hexagon.
Visual storytelling technical skills (e.g. Canva, ESRI story-maps, Wochit) and background.
Ability to facilitate and/or write persuasively in a language other than English.
Experience with multicultural communications, culturally specific media outlets and digital platforms.
Salary and Benefits
USD 79,000 ~ USD 125,000
Flexible, family-friendly work schedules
Generous employer contribution to health insurance benefit premiums of approximately 90 percent for employees, spouses/partners, and their dependents
Support for the rest and regeneration of our employees through offering generous paid time off, which includes three weeks of vacation to start; sick days, personal days, eight holidays, as well as an end-of-the-year winter break
Cell phone subsidy
Transit subsidy
403(b) plan with company match
Support for professional development
Mostly virtual/remote working environment
Access to mentoring and coaching support
Trainings and learning opportunities focused on racial justice, trauma, and self-care
Leadership opportunities through participation in committees that manage distributed decision-making across the organization
How to Apply
Please submit your resume and something to show us who you really are! It’s your choice – that could be a written summary or a video cover letter, or whatever showcases your passion for the work you’d be doing. Using the subject line “Sr. Program Director – Energy,” send those materials to jobs@resource-media.org. Please include your name on your attachments. No phone calls, please.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position will be open until filled.
We will review resumes throughout August and early September and anticipate conducting phone interviews in September. Those selected to advance in the hiring process will be invited to a one-hour video interview with our panel. Finalists will be invited to a second one-hour interview with the Director of Operations and additional Resource Media staff.
This position would ideally start before or in October or November.