The Vice President of Communications leads strategy for external communications to advance the Reporters Committee mission to provide free legal services for journalists. The VP of Communications elevates the visibility and impact of work across the organization by creating opportunities through owned content and digital channels, executive positioning, media engagement, strategic events, and stakeholder relationships that increase awareness of the importance of legal support for journalism and amplify the organization’s policy and advocacy priorities. The Vice President of Communications reports to the President and is a member of the Executive Team. They lead and mentor a high-performing team that supports organizational communications priorities. The Vice President for Communications is a(n):  Architect of the organization’s communication strategy that advances the mission to provide free legal services to journalists and newsrooms Strategic counselor with input on overall organizational strategy and decision making as a member of the Executive TeamSkilled leader who leverages budget and talent to manage the external messaging and brand positioning with key audiences across channelsResponsibilitiesCommunications Strategic Planning and ExecutionRefine and implement a strategic communications plan, including a robust digital strategy, that is aligned with and integrated into Reporters Committee’s organization-wide strategic and programmatic goalsEducate and collaborate with colleagues across the organization to ensure that all members of the organization are communicating consistently and effectivelyRecognize trends, stay on top of developments and strategy, and advise on communication opportunities (both planned and impromptu). Brand and Message DevelopmentEnsure consistent and effective messaging across Reporters Committee’s social media, web presence, external communications, and public speakingDevelop messaging around emerging and new areas of engagement for the organization to ensure that Reporters Committee is an influential thought leader shaping the conversation Develop and oversee internal processes to enable Reporters Committee’s external communications, particularly in response to fast breaking news related to the organization’s mission and workOversee the development and delivery of internal and external communications for senior executive levels, including briefing materials, scripting/messaging for briefing materials, scripting/messaging for internal keynotes, presentations, media engagements, social media, and events. External Stakeholder EngagementCollaborate with internal staff and external partners and manage vendors to develop and implement communications products across a variety of media channelsCollaborate with development team to ensure that messaging and distribution advances development strategyDevelop partnership with outside organizations, media companies, board and major donors to further Reporters Committee’s reach and missionOversee marketing budgets and conference speaking proposals to leverage Reporters Committee’s expertise with key journalism audiences and maximize opportunities to educate people about our resources and servicesManagement and LeadershipOversee Content, Digital, and Media teams responsible for the core pillars of Communications deliverablesRecruit, manage, and mentor team members, ensuring contributions support exceptional quality communications, aligned with the strategic goalsPromote a culture of high performance, collaboration, effective, respectful and inclusive teamworkContribute to Executive Team thinking and decision making related to overall management and leadership of the organizationDevelop policies and trainings for staff on media relations, social media use, public speaking and other core communications functionsIdentify challenges facing Reporters Committee and work with Executive Team colleagues and staff to identify communications opportunities and solutions, and execute strategies in response
