JOB DESCRIPTION:

Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community. TMCF member-schools include the publicly supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs). The Senior Director of Strategic Communications will develop and lead all media relations, trade, and employee communication strategies, ensuring alignment with the overall TMCF brand position and key message points. The Senior Director of Strategic Communications will lead various communications and media activities to amplify the TMCF and affiliated sub-brands, as well as its programs, strategies, values, priorities, and impact. S/he will serve as the organization’s primary contact with the news media and ensure the planning, direction, implementation, and measurement of all strategic media relations and communications efforts.

REPORTS TO:

Chief Marketing Officer

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Develop and implement communications strategies to promote and create maximum exposure
• for TMCF as subject matter experts, in addition to enhancing TMCF’s reputation as the premier
• organization supporting the Black College Community
• Deliver earned media wins, generate awareness across a variety of traditional media and high-profile news platforms
• Maintain and build working relationships with members of the press, trade organizations,
• influencers, and TMCF partners
• Conceptualize, write, and proactively pitch relevant TMCF stories
• Secure media coverage for major TMCF events and partnership activities
• Identify and secure speaking opportunities, interviews, op-eds, and other opportunities to amplify
• the work, mission, and impact of TMCF
• Manage external communication partners, consultants, and vendors
• Manage internal communications supporting cross-functional partners
• Draft and oversee all media communications, including but not limited to press releases, op-eds,
• media advisories and alerts, talking points, fact sheets, social media posts, briefing documents,
• employee and organizational communications, and other PR materials as needed
• Lead all crisis management responses with the TMCF executive team
• Monitor and track TMCF media mentions and reach.
• Also, monitor competitive activity in relevant outlets
• Respond to media requests for information and oversee the development of press/information
• kits, news releases, news materials
• Facilitate media interviews with appropriate TMCF staff members and spokespersons
• Provide media coaching and interview training/guidance to staff and students as required
• Perform other duties as assigned or directed to meet the goals and objectives of the organization
• All other duties as assigned

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, or journalism is required
• Minimum of 8 years experience in media and public relations, including extensive experience
• pitching to reporters and media outlets
• Strong media relationships and contacts are preferred
• Proven ability to generate earned media
• Ability to meet aggressive deadlines
• Creative with solid skills in storytelling
• Work closely with the President &; CEO, and Executive Team
• Awareness of social graces to appropriately interact and represent TMCF with high-profile individuals
• Experience in public affairs with specific familiarity with government relations and
• political/government media preferred
• Social media experience preferred
• Previous experience in the education and/or non-profit industry is preferred
• Background working in an environment where confidentiality and discretion are of great importance
• Team player, capable of working both collaboratively and independently, with the confidence
• and diplomacy to take the lead and guide other departments and/or individuals when necessary
• Ability to successfully work independently without a lot of daily supervision
• Strong project management, communication, logistical, and organizational skills
• Strategic and creative thinker, self-starter, calm under pressure, and able to manage multiple
• projects simultaneously

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Travel required: up to 25%
• Manage media interactions and logistics at all TMCF events
• On-call seven days a week
• Relationship building that includes representing TMCF at media/community functions

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Employee Type: Full-time
• Salary:$92,000-$ 100,000
• Benefits: Health, Dental, FSA, 403(b), up to 15% Bonus Potential
• Manages Others: No, but future growth is expected
• Location: Remote