Public Affairs Manager-The Southern Poverty Law Center 

Location:
Montgomery, Ala.

Organization:
The Southern Poverty Law Center is a nonprofit civil rights organization dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry, and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of society.

Founded by civil rights lawyers Morris Dees and Joseph Levin Jr. in 1971, the SPLC is internationally known for tracking and exposing the activities of hate groups. Our innovative Teaching Tolerance program produces and distributes – free of charge – documentary films, books, lesson plans and other materials that promote tolerance and respect in our nation’s schools.

We are based in Montgomery, Ala., the birthplace of the modern civil rights movement, and have offices in Atlanta, New Orleans, Miami, Fla., and Jackson, Miss.

Position Description:
The Public Affairs Manager develops comprehensive communications plans, integrating media relations, policy advocacy, publications, social media and events, and manages their execution; manages outreach to SPLC strategic policy, media and community audiences to raise awareness and gain support for organizational goals; leverages relationships with key journalists, columnists and media outlets. The candidate must have excellent writing skills, and be a politically-savvy, team-oriented professional with solid people and project-management experience.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Works across all programs and campaigns, assists Director of Public Affairs in developing and executing SPLC national, regional and state-based outreach
• Identifies opportunities and initiates plans to deliver and promote SPLC messages, expertise, and achievements.  Pitches and places news, features and opinion articles in top-tier media
• Develops and implements public affairs and media relations for SPLC’s policy advocacy and litigation efforts in Florida, and for Legal Department’s “New Opportunities” (aka RIS) portfolio
• Collaborates with Design Director, New Media Manager and Editorial Manager to execute organizational priorities across all communications channels, including social media, e-newsletters, website
• Manages online Newsroom on SPLC website. Creates content for print and electronic platforms including news releases, opinion pieces, speeches, social media press packets, reports, newsletters, blogs and employee Intranet
• Coordinates workflow of Communications Associates with Director of Public Affairs and senior program staff.

 Qualifications & Requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree in communication, journalism, marketing or a related field required. Advanced degree is a plus
• 7 to 10 years of progressively-responsible experience in a public affairs or communications capacity required
• A minimum of 5 years of experience as a supervisor of professional staff or as a project manager preferred
• Experience managing staff and/or leading a team responsible for reaching multiple internal and external audiences, including legal experts, policymakers, community stakeholders, advocacy partners, journalists and donors is essential
• Experience in traditional media and social media strategy and implementation required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Exceptional writing, content development, editorial and oral presentation skills are required
• Must possess the ability to provide leadership and work cooperatively in a team-oriented environment
• Must be a skilled public affairs writer, able to translate complex issues into consumer-friendly content and have the proven ability to write opinion articles and commentaries, feature stories and other media materials
• The ability to multi-task, handle high-pressure situations, well as plan and execute longer-term projects and the demonstrated skill in organizing complex projects and setting work priorities, ensuring the timely completion of all activities.
• Political savvy, with success managing projects in electoral or advocacy campaigns is a plus, as is expertise advising stakeholders from diverse racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds

 Other Special Considerations:
This position requires regular local and overnight travel

How to Apply:
Please CLICK HERE to submit a cover letter and resume along with three references and two writing samples.

The Southern Poverty Law Center is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, or status with regard to public assistance.