Associate Director, Strategic Communications

Associate Director, Strategic Communications will support the organization’s communications efforts in support of the ‘I’m For’ and ‘I Fight For’ campaigns, helping design and drive strategy around communicating the story of legislative and legal attacks on Planned Parenthood health centers, devising and executing messaging and media strategies to proactively elevate Planned Parenthood’s role as an essential health care provider in communities across the country. 

The Associate Director is also responsible for creating and executing communications plans, providing strategic communications advice to Planned Parenthood affiliates and external partners, producing and reviewing communications materials, and building a proactive communications strategy for expanding media outreach to protect and strengthen Planned Parenthood’s brand as an expert provider and protect its reputation from risk. 

This role will work closely with multiple departments and teams, including organizing; campaigns, research and policy; care and access; digital strategy; content, culture, and events; strategic partnerships; and litigation and law to collaboratively accomplish desired goals including delivering on the I’m For and I Fight For campaign goals. The Associate Director will help create and deliver communications products to drive PP impact stories, identify and train spokespeople, and ensure consistency of messaging across teams This role will also serve as one of the organization’s lead points of contact for members of the media. 

Delivery:

• Provide strategic communications guidance and resources to Planned Parenthood affiliates, as they implement communications strategies to advance access to sexual and reproductive health care and protect Planned Parenthood against legislative and legal attacks.
• Proactively communicate on affiliates’ innovative strategies to provide care, and devise communications strategies to fight back against future legislative attacks on the organization
• Help develop and execute media campaigns and strategies to support the team in shaping the media narrative in support of Planned Parenthood’s campaign priorities and goals. 
• Draft and review various press releases, statements, advisories, op-ed pieces, talking points, briefing notes, message guidance, fact sheets, and other material that support media relations efforts.
• Proactively pitch media at the state and national levels.
• Build and manage relationships with new media outlets and entities to drive proactive outreach.
• Serve as a media relations point person, handling day-to-day media relations, including pitching, media monitoring, material development, etc., on a wide range of Planned Parenthood issues.
• Provide affiliates with expert guidance and feedback on crisis communications plans, responses, and materials, as well as support reactive rapid response to breaking news. 
• Conduct media and message trainings for affiliate spokespeople and other staff.
• Help lead brainstorming sessions and proactively identify opportunities to strengthen campaign communications work.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• 5 years of media experience, preferably working directly with regional and national media, including reporters, producers, writers, and new media, with a demonstrated ability to pitch and land stories.
• High school diploma or equivalency with 2-3 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor’s Degree.
• Excellent communication (written & verbal) skills.
• High attention to detail and general curiosity. 
• Spanish language proficiency preferred.
• An understanding of the reproductive rights, health, and justice landscape strongly preferred.
• Must write and edit proficiently and quickly, and must be motivated and a self-starter with a proven track record of meeting deadlines and deliverables with quick turnarounds.
• Knowledge of communicating with diverse groups, working with a multicultural workforce, and sensitivity and appreciation of cultural differences is required. 
• Must be a team player and remain calm under pressure.
• Strongly committed to the mission of Planned Parenthood.