NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

The overarching goal of the Center’s new Strategic Plan sets a high mark for impact: By 2030, half of the world’s population will be living under stronger protections for reproductive rights than they do today. The Center has a track record of success to back up this ambitious goal. Since its founding in 1992, the Center’s game-changing litigation and advocacy, combined with its unparalleled expertise in constitutional, comparative, and international human rights law, have transformed how reproductive rights are understood by courts, governments, and human rights bodies worldwide on issues including maternal health, contraception, abortion, and assisted reproduction. It has won groundbreaking cases before national courts, U.N. Committees, and regional human rights bodies, led the development of historic, proactive legislation advancing robust protections for reproductive rights, and has built the legal capacity of women’s rights advocates in more than 60 countries and counting.

The U.S. Press Officer will report directly to the Associate Director of U.S. Media Relations and will work closely with the Center’s attorneys and other U.S. Program staff. At this critical time for reproductive rights, she/he/they will help shape the organization’s messaging and create proactive press strategies to influence public discourse and policy makers, effecting real change.

The Press Officer will play a critical role on the Press Team, securing coverage of the Center as well as its clients in high-profile media. The Press Officer will collaborate with the larger Communications Team to increase the visibility of the Center’s work in the U.S., including litigation and policy/advocacy work at the federal and state level.

They will engage journalists and thought leaders at the national and local level to promote the Center’s work on priority issues like abortion access and maternal health care. This includes securing media coverage and interviews (TV, radio, online and print); placing op-eds in key media outlets; developing press materials and talking points; creating comprehensive press plans; and preparing spokespeople for media appearances.

The Press Officer plays a strategic role in the Communications Department, continually surveying the media landscape for upcoming opportunities and challenges—and working with colleagues within and outside the department to develop strategies for responding to them, often on very tight deadlines.

This position can be based out of the Center’s New York headquarters or Washington, D.C. office. Exceptional candidates in other locations will be considered. The Center is currently using a hybrid work model. Covid-19 Vaccination is required for all U.S.-based Center employees.

Primary Responsibilities:

– Work with the larger Press Team to create and execute impactful public relations strategies for the Center’s 30+ ongoing lawsuits and U.S. policy initiatives;
– Translate dense legal arguments and concepts into digestible messaging that resonates with press and the general public;
– Cultivate, maintain and expand relationships with key journalists, editors, bookers and others who regularly cover reproductive rights issues in national, regional and local outlets;
– Secure top tier profile pieces on the Center’s attorneys and experts;
– Write press releases, statements, briefing memos, talking points, and op-eds related to the Center’s U.S. work (in partnership with the larger Press Team);
– Monitor trends and developments in media and culture related to reproductive rights issues; identify opportunities and suggest strategies for positioning the Center as a leading public authority in the field;
– Prepare Center spokespeople for press interviews and public appearances, including drafting talking points and providing formal media training and informal prep sessions prior to each interview or event;
– Help manage the Center’s robust database of media contacts, ensuring it is current and constantly expanding as reporter assignments change. Proactively develop relationships with reporters and editors;
– Work closely and collaborate effectively with other departments to ensure strategies are aligned across the organization
– Work with partner organizations on joint messaging and shared media goals as appropriate;
– Execute special projects as needed;
– Other duties as assigned;
– Occasional travel for court hearings and other events.

Qualifications:

– Minimum of 8 years experience in media relations or journalism;
– Successful track record of developing and executing communications strategies and campaigns in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment;
– Strong experience in media and press strategy including print, broadcast and digital;
– Existing press relationships is a plus;
– Experience in advocacy or a legal field is preferred;
– Strong interpersonal, leadership, and problem-solving skills, and the ability to operate professionally under intense pressure;
– Exceptional writing, editing and messaging skills;
– Strong verbal communication skills and ability to communicate effectively;
– Proficiency with PR software such as Cision is a plus;
– Extremely sharp organizational skills and ability to manage large volumes of projects, tasks, and files;
– Ability to function well in a fast-paced environment with a wide variety of strong personalities; sense of humor;
– Willingness to work outside of standard work hours when breaking news occurs;
– Deep dedication to the Center’s mission, values, and strategic objectives;
– Bachelor’s degree required.

Critical Competencies:

– Strategic thinking: Applies big-picture thinking while also focusing on the details of implementation.
– Decisiveness: Consistently makes sound decisions in a timely manner supportive of the Center’s mission, core values, and strategic objectives. Blends vision and judgment.
– Collaboration: Brings a track record of working effectively with various and diverse individuals and groups, and a willingness to actively listen and invite different views and opinions across all levels of the institution to build alignment in support of a common goal.
– Receives and provides direct feedback: Actively gives and requests feedback to and from peers, supervisors and direct reports (If applicable) about work products, behaviors, values, style and approaches with a view on how this impacts self, other individuals and teams.
– Transparency: Consistently applies openness and honesty in communicating decisions and plans to team members.
– Commitment to learn: Applies a growth mentality to their own and their team’s (if applicable) development.  Promotes a culture of learning by modeling inquisitiveness and an openness to viewing mistakes as an opportunity to learn and improve.
– Accountability: Follows through on each commitment made to individual contributors, teams and partners and proactively informs others of any delays that occur along the way. Holds team members accountable.
– Integrity: Possesses impeccable integrity and personal and professional values that are consistent with the Center’s high standards and mission.

Compensation: The annual salary for this position is $81,000. This salary is reflective of a position based in New York or Washington D.C.. This salary will be subject to a locality adjustment, if an authorization is granted to work outside of the location listed in this posting. Note that most of the salaries listed on our job postings reflect New York, NY salaries, where our National offices are headquartered.

The Center covers up to 95% of the premium of a comprehensive health insurance plan with no deductible and best on the market ART/infertility coverage. The Center also contributes 7.5% of an employee’s salary to a 401(k) account beginning after the first year of employment. The Center also supplies a generous PTO offering.