Your Dream Job: Communications Director at Cato

The Cato Institute seeks a Director of Communications who can provide leadership to a talented and growing department. The candidate must be able to provide strategic advice, counsel, leadership, and creativity to public policy issues and to manage and inspire staff. Solid editorial judgment and skills are essential. A minimum of 10 years’ experience would be appropriate. Candidates must have the ability to communicate policy ideas consistent with individual liberty, limited government, and free markets. The Communications department encompasses media relations as well as the website, podcasting, videocasting, and other communications channels.

This is a senior position at one of the country’s most effective and visible libertarian organizations. The Director of Communications supervises a staff of 7 and reports to top management. Salary will be commensurate with skills and experience. This is a full-time position in Washington. No phone calls please.

Addendum (4/6/08): According to a posting on CareerBuilder.com, this job pays between $95 - $115K. Full description after the fold.

Prestigious non-profit public policy research organization has a new opening for a Director of Communications.

Provide leadership to a talented and growing department. The candidate must be able to provide strategic advice, counsel, leadership, and creativity to public policy issues and to manage and inspire staff. Solid editorial judgment and skills are essential. A minimum of 10 years’ experience would be appropriate. Candidates must have the ability to communicate policy ideas consistent with individual liberty, limited government, and free markets. The Communications department encompasses media relations as well as the website, podcasting, videocasting, and other communications channels.

Assist in the creation and implementation of a strategic, multi-faceted communications program designed to build and strengthen the organization's role and reputation as a leader and authoritative voice in its field. To devise program guidelines and policies, oversee implementation process, and provide quality control for communications programs, media activities, and special events.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Communications Counseling/Planning

• Assist department director in the development of a strategic communications plan to support the organization's mission, goals and objectives
• Build and foster collaborative relationships with other departments within the organization to stay informed and abreast of new initiatives, products, and services
• Identify opportunities to support organizational initiatives and develop communications materials and programs to promote and publicize these activities
• Facilitate media training sessions

Communications Programs

• Aid in the development, implementation and management of external communications efforts
• Build and foster long-term working relationships with various publics of importance including media, members of the community, public affairs offices, and other organizations
• Oversee day-to-day operations of specific year-round communications programs
• Respond to media requests for information and facilitate media interviews with spokespeople, authors, and others

Annual Meeting News Program

• Review, research, and update the annual news media and public relations policies
• Oversee planning of all pre-annual meeting communications activities. Specific responsibilities include establishing production timetable, reviewing news materials, responding to media inquiries, overseeing distribution of materials to media before, during and after the meeting, encouraging media participation, promoting spokespeople, and arranging media interviews
• Oversee news planning process for the annual meeting including abstract preparation and management; and coordination and management of committee participation
• Coordinate communication with authors of selected abstracts, moderators and experts for news conferences and meet-the expert sessions
• Establish and oversee media registration and housing process
• Oversee all aspects of planning and coordinating logistics of annual meeting media functions including press conferences, media workroom, interview rooms, third party materials room, and catering

General News Materials/Press Events

• Oversee development of news releases, news materials, fact sheets, talking points for publicity of the organization's programs
• Serve as editor for communications materials including news releases, news materials, online content, program announcements, and the annual report
• Oversee coordination of special media events including hill briefings, writers seminars, press events, etc.

Video Production/Monitoring

• Establish monitoring criteria for news broadcasts and special events
• Manage video monitoring services vendor and acquisition of broadcast schedules, monitoring reports, transcripts, videotapes, dubs, etc.
• Produce annual videotape of annual meeting news highlights and individual clip reels for key spokespeople
• Produce special video projects and oversee production of materials produced by outside vendors
• Oversee hiring and coordination of video crews as needed to cover various organization activities

Research/Monitoring

• Create and manage public relations database, update records, train other department staffs, utilize measurement/tracking
• Establish and oversee departmental system for maintaining and archiving press clippings
• Oversee daily transfer and production of electronic clips on the Intranet
• Manage press clippings for monthly summary reports
• Monthly summary reports

Public Information

• Respond to public requests for information from members, government agencies, businesses, advocacy groups, and other associations
• Build relationships with professional counterparts in other professional organizations, advocacy organizations, and other community organizations through organizational initiatives and jointly-sponsored communication campaigns and programs
• Coordinate the organization's communications support of special activities
• Oversee production and distribution of annual meeting materials

Departmental Administration

• Manage and mentor department staff to integrate their efforts on communications programs
• Investigate vendor communications services and manage vendor relationships
• Manage initial stage of hiring process of new department staff
• Support Director in developing and overseeing annual budget
• Prepare timesheets, expense reports, check requests, as required


Requirements


EDUCATION

Required: Bachelors Degree

Desirable: Advanced Degree in Communications, Public Relations, or Journalism

EXPERIENCE

Required: 7 years of Public or Media Relations, Communications, Journalism Experience

Desirable: Proven experience communicating in health, medical and/or association arenas. Experience working in a Public Relations Firm environment.

GENERAL/SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Effective written and oral communication skills;
• Solid media relations experience and demonstrated news coverage placements;
• Ability to understand, interpret, and write about complex, scientific information
• Experience managing special events and media tours independently;
• Ability to complete multiple tasks and high volume of work on deadline;
• Ability to follow through on assigned tasks with limited supervision;
• Attention to detail and ability to edit and proofread;
• Excellent time management and organizational skills;
• Mature, professional attitude and appearance;
• Computer proficiency in Windows environment and Access database management;
• Experience managing staff;
• Openness to continuing learning and upgrading of skills.