Earned Media Strategist (Term-Limited)

ABOUT THE JOB The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time position of Earned Media Strategist in the Communications & Marketing Department of the ACLU’s National office in Washington, D.C. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month. This is a 2-year term-limited position. The ACLU Communications & Marketing Department creates, maintains, and expands message narratives to engage our supporters and other target audiences, to help protect and expand civil liberties and civil rights, and illustrate the value and impact of the ACLU’s transformational work. Through our messaging, engagement with newsmakers, our written content, creative branding, and visual identity, we encourage support for the ACLU and help to build a more perfect union. The Media and Strategic Engagement team works to bring the ACLU’s work to the most strategic audience. It strengthens and deepens our relationships with media outlets and journalists, identifies opportunities to engage with new media outlets and audiences, and ensures better coordination for paid media work. The team’s thought leadership efforts ensure our leaders and experts continue to expand their profile to elevate ACLU's work and mission and coordinates appearances and writings as part of our strategic goals. This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU). WHAT YOU'LL DO Reporting to the Director of Media and Strategic Engagement , the Earned Media Strategist will be at the frontlines of ACLU’s media relations work, staffing key spokespeople as needed, with an emphasis on the organization's electoral communications, providing media support to position the organization’s spokespeople as thought leaders and maximize the visibility of our work to advance our electoral and advocacy goals. YOUR DAY TO DAY Pitching and preparing ACLU spokespeople for media appearances, leveraging an existing portfolio of key reporter relationships within the political media industry and leading industry thought leaders Executing strategic engagements in rapid response environments (press conferences, sponsorships, event appearances and speaking engagements, or other high visibility events requiring ACLU principals on short notice) Staff key organization principals at media appearances and strategic engagements as needed, including events that require travel Secondary support for staffing key partners, such as celebrity ambassadors or influencers, during strategic engagements Help prepare briefing materials and prep sessions for external engagements for senior staff, including mock interviews as needed Support cross-organization collaboration regarding the deployment of organization spokespeople, building earned media or strategic engagement strategies around related appearances of these principals driven by Development, NPAD, Legal, or other departments Support the maintenance of spokesperson biographies, headshots, and other portfolio items Map and build relationships with key national media outlets, with an emphasis on emerging outlets or impactful independent reporters in the digital media ecosystem Lead communications and positioning strategies, as well as outreach, for high-level principals and projects and announcements, as assigned by senior communications leadership. Assist in the development of materials or preparations for events that further the organization’s thought leadership, including op-eds, press conferences, and speaking engagements at high visibility events Secondary coverage for communications strategists on leave or in pressing rapid response moments Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned by senior ACLU communications leadership FUTURE ACLU'ERS WILL Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values mu