Deputy Press Secretary
Sierra ClubJob Title: Deputy Press Secretary, Federal Communications (Temporary)
Department: Communications
Location: Remote in Washington, DC
Reports To: Chief Communications Officer
Supervises: None
Duration: Temporary position lasting no longer than 6 months
Context: At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of interdependence. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice – a future where all people benefit from a healthy, thriving planet and a direct connection to nature. As the climate crisis and deeply entrenched systemic racism all fuel injustice, we will continue to fight for a bold, transformational agenda that recognizes the interconnectedness between our planet, our humanity, and our future. By recognizing that our destinies are tied, we continue to name that all things are fundamentally connected, and the overlap between ecology, race, gender, and representative government will move to either advance our collective humanity or to oppress it. Sierra Club has close to 700 staff across the country and a network of 64 local chapters that are led and fueled by thousands of volunteers. We are also proud to be a unionized employer, with three labor unions representing more than half of our employees.
Scope: The Temporary Deputy Press Secretary plans, coordinates, and executes communications strategies related to Sustainable Finance, Outdoors for All, wildlife conservation, and other relevant federal campaign work. Working with the federal policy team, federal campaign staff, and intersectional partners, the Temporary Deputy Press Secretary is responsible for developing and disseminating strategic communications plans that advance the goals of our campaigns in Beltway and national outlets while remaining rooted in our organizational values.
To support that work, the Temporary Deputy Press Secretary executes long-term and rapid-response media outreach and acts as the media strategist for relevant campaigns, identifying opportunities to advance campaign goals through media relations.
They also work with the creative team to develop creative assets to inform and influence decision makers; project manages the creation and distribution of advertising, videos, and other produced media; drafts and edits written content; and ensures messaging resonates effectively with various audiences. Additionally, they will be expected to provide messaging guidance and materials for their respective campaign(s) to the regional press team, and coordinate with coalition partners on the same. This position is responsible for an array of media communications, ensuring timely and accurate materials with a consistent tone and message.
A key component of the Temporary Deputy Press Secretary’s role is leading media outreach by coordinating the submissions of op-eds and letters to the editor; pitching stories; tracking and reporting coverage; organizing press conferences and other media events; compiling data; and nurturing relationships to grow a diverse bench of spokespeople.
The ideal candidate should have a solid grasp of Sierra Club’s legacy conservation work, including wildlife and National Parks, a familiarity with the sustainable finance movement, a personal commitment to and knowledge of social justice, and a passion for advancing progressive social change. They will also have the ability to articulate and reinforce the intersections of Sierra Club’s legacy work and communicate the challenges and opportunities we face, centered on justice and equity.
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Plan and implement federal communications strategy for Sierra Club campaigns. Serve as liaison across internal teams and committees, as well as with external partners and stakeholders, to advise on communications strategies and tactics. Track media coverage of the issues covered in the campaign and report major narrative themes, inclusions and exclusions from coverage, and whose voices are represented out to campaign teams to inform future strategies. Develop and execute long-term and rapid-response media outreach plans to advance campaign narratives and outcomes at the national level, in adherence to the Jemez Principles for Democratic Organizing.
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Develop messaging, written, and produced assets to advance federal campaign goals in collaboration with internal partners and with external partners as needed. Develop media messages, op-eds, press releases, video/audio, talking points, and other materials, and coordinate media events as necessary. Collaborate with internal creative teams, Digital Strategies department, and external contractors to develop and execute paid media tactics. Create strategic media responses to relevant reports, Environmental Law Program work underway, and external developments.
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Contribute to staff strategy meetings, and stay current on substantive and political developments in major conservation campaigns by reading latest literature, attending meetings and maintaining contact with relevant sources.
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Provide drafted materials and guidance on federal efforts to regional teams as needed. Develop talking points and media materials on various campaign efforts to be disseminated and utilized by the regional press team.
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Build relationships with national, Beltway, and trade reporters and influencers. Serve as a point of contact for those reporters in order to advance media coverage. Pitch relevant stories and connect reporters with spokespeople.
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Train and coach key and relevant national staff and volunteers in strategic communications skills and messaging developed on key timely issues. Identify, train, and place compelling spokespeople to tell the campaign’s stories. Support staff, volunteers, and partners with media training, messaging guidance, and interview preparation.
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Experience with media relations. You have professional experience as a journalist, media liaison, spokesperson, press secretary, or other position involving public relations. You have an understanding of best practices for using media to advance campaign goals.
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Excellent writing and verbal communications skills. You are a strong writer and communicator who is comfortable interacting with reporters, developing compelling messages, and drafting written materials for various audiences.
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Ability to interact cooperatively and effectively with internal and external partners. You think collaboratively and can build strong relationships with staff, volunteers, and other stakeholders. You are capable of navigating challenging dynamics to achieve shared goals.
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Committed to evolution. You are committed to continuously deepening and evolving your own understanding of systems of oppression through study, openness, and humility. And you easily recognize your own relationship to privilege and power, examining and shifting your behaviors as appropriate.
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Uplifting and additive. You see mistakes as opportunities for growth; problems as catalysts for solutions, and inspire others along the journey. You carry a constructive approach, can-do attitude, a sense of humor, and authentic kindness wherever you go.
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Demonstrated knowledge of energy and/or climate issues and relevant media landscape
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Experience working with campaign teams to execute creative tactics including but not limited to audio/video, podcasts, projections, murals, performance art, and advertising
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Ability to build alignment between stakeholders while project managing competing priorities
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Proficiency with Cision, TVEyes, and/or other media outreach and tracking tools
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Spanish language proficiency a plus, but not required
This is a category 99, exempt, temporary, non-represented position.
Sierra Club values the expertise and talents of foreign nationals. Sierra Club sponsors both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas when certain criteria are met, based on immigration laws and organizational needs. Such sponsorship is at the discretion of the Department Head and Sierra Club People Department in consultation with the employee’s manager. The Sierra Club cannot guarantee the approval of a visa petition. The Sierra Club is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce belonging.
To Apply
The Sierra Club provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all staff members. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, lived experience and skills. The Sierra Club does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, immigration status, socioeconomic status, ancestry, age, size, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, familial status, veteran status, disability, AIDS/HIV status, medical condition, prior conviction, arrest history, traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The Sierra Club values applicants who are people that identify as Black, Indigenous, and other minoritized groups; women; queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid people.
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