For over three decades, LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and LGBTQ+ Victory Institute have helped to train, support and elect thousands of out LGBTQ+ elected officials at every level of government. Our leaders have been catalysts for expanding legal rights for LGBTQ+ people across the country, and they have transformed our nation’s policies and shifted our political landscape towards equality. Today, more than 1,000 LGBTQ+ Americans are serving in elected office due to the work of Victory Fund and Victory Institute, including nine members of Congress, two U.S. senators and four governors.
Victory Fund and Victory Institute are seeking a Press Secretary who will report to the Vice President of Communications. The Press Secretary is responsible for developing and executing on a press strategy that proactively secures earned media for the organization, its candidates and elected officials. The Press Secretary will proactively seek media opportunities, respond to media inquiries, draft media releases and statements, write and pitch op-eds, and organize media events such as press conferences. The Press Secretary will also draft speeches and talking points for Victory spokespeople and support social media efforts.
The Press Secretary should bring a sense of urgency to their work – consistently looking for opportunities to secure earned media and other visibility for the organizations. The ideal candidate will have superior writing and editing abilities, have a strong understanding of media, be able to develop and pitch media-worthy story angles, and understand the LGBTQ+ movement and U.S. politics. Commitment to the mission is a must.
Strong preference is given to applicants with existing journalistic relationships.
General Responsibilities
- Develop and execute a proactive media strategy that prioritizes securing earned media and other visibility for the organizations.
- Create media-worthy storylines and engage in extensive pitching at the national and local levels.
- Support candidates and elected officials in securing mutually beneficial earned media coverage and in communications crisis situations.
- Produce media releases, advisories and statements for newsworthy moments and in rapid-response scenarios.
- Respond to media inquiries and act as a background source of information.
- Maintain reporter relationships and cultivate new relationships to expand the organizations’ press lists.
- Write op-eds and opinion pieces on behalf of Victory spokespeople.
- Prepare the President & CEO and other leadership staff for speaking roles and interviews, including drafting speeches and talking points.
- Monitor and report on media coverage secured for the organization and on behalf of candidates or elected officials.
- Work with the Digital Director to produce The Agenda and OutPower
- Expand relationships with third party partners at the national and local level.
- Lead media trainings for LGBTQ+ candidates and elected officials.
- Develop external messaging materials like talking points and fact sheets for distribution to key stakeholders, candidates and elected officials and the media.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university, plus at least four years’ experience in media relations and communications; or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
- Exceptional writing, proofreading and editing skills.
- Ability and willingness to work in rapid response situations where urgency is a necessity.
- Strong understanding of media and experience in writing media releases, statements and pitching stories to reporters.
- Existing relationships with reporters is a major plus.
- Ability to balance competing priorities and perform a wide variety of tasks over the course of the workday.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, etc.) and familiarity with media monitoring platforms such as Meltwater and/or Cision.
- Understanding of social media strategy.
- Interest in and knowledge of the LGBTQ+ movement and U.S. politics.
- Position is located in Washington, DC.
The salary for this position is $65,000 – $80,000, commensurate with experience. Please include salary requirements in your materials. Full-time staff are eligible for Victory’s comprehensive benefits package including medical, vision, dental, health reimbursement account, medical flexible spending account, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, 401k, parental leave and generous paid time off.
To Apply
Victory is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law. Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply. Please send a cover letter including salary requirements and resume to jobs@victoryfund.org. No phone calls or walk-ins please.