Media Relations Director

Position Title: Media Relations Director 

Position Location: Candidates are welcome to apply from across the U.S., but we have a strong preference for those who are based in Washington, DC. Those that are near a CPD office in DC may be asked to work from a CPD/A office one or two days/week if necessary. Applicants outside of those areas may be required to travel to DC frequently (approximately 1-2 times per month).

The Center for Popular Democracy/CPD Action is seeking a Media Relations Director. This is a full-time, exempt position.

About CPD + CPDA:

The Center for Popular Democracy and CPD Action (together, CPD/A) work to promote equity, opportunity, and a dynamic democracy in partnership with innovative base-building organizations, organizing networks and alliances, and progressive unions across the country. We work with nearly 50 affiliates in over 30 states and Puerto Rico to build the strength and capacity of democratic organizations that envision and advance a pro-worker, pro-immigrant, racial and economic justice agenda. We are a rapidly-expanding, changing organization that partners with organizations across the country to build political power and win tangible victories that improve the lives of low-wage workers, immigrants, and communities of color.

About the Position: 

We are seeking a Media Relations Director to drive media strategy and manage a growing media relations team that will be responsible for earning strong, regular, and breakthrough coverage that centers Black, brown and working class voices and effectively communicates CPD/A’s vision for the world. This position requires an understanding of how the press can be used to build and move power for social and political movements. COVID-depending, it is expected the Media Relations Director will travel and attend in-person meetings and events frequently (approximately 1-2 times/month), including on-site events and actions across the organization.

We estimate that candidates will have about 15 years of relevant experience, but our review of candidates for this role will focus on whether they can fill the needs of the position, not years of experience.

The Media Relations Director will report to the Chief of Communications and will supervise a Senior Media Relations Manager. 

Primary Responsibilities:

The Media Relations Director will:

• Oversee media relations strategy and implementation for the organization, from rapid-response moments to long-term narratives. 
• Oversee the coordination and collaboration with colleagues across the organization and network to develop earned media strategies that help move people in power, recruit and build rapport with our base, position CPD/A as a thought leader in the progressive space, and share our vision for the world as it should be.
• Hire, manage, grow and retain media relations staff, creating a positive, inspiring environment in which team members can learn, receive regular feedback, and thrive in their roles. 
• Support CPD/A’s network of affiliates with media relations strategies by training and prepping spokespeople, helping them earn media coverage and increasing their capacity overall to use press to build power for their campaigns. 
• Manage the creation and management of systems and strategies to effectively respond to media requests, prepare spokespeople, develop media relationships, coordinate media interactions, track and summarize media hits, and develop and maintain media lists.
• Serve as a member of the Communications Department’s leadership team and play an active role in building and maintaining a culture of radical empathy, collaboration, and learning in our growing communications team. 

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Demonstrated success driving media relations strategies for issue campaigns in print, radio, television, and podcasts (including pitching and placing stories).
•  3+ years of management experience, and a demonstrated track record of building strong teams.  
•  The ability to distill and communicate complex ideas to a variety of audiences, from government and corporate decision makers to people who are directly impacted by our issues.
• Deep relationships with political, progressive, Black, Latinx or other relevant journalists across print, radio, broadcast and/or podcasts and ability to  build new relationships.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic thinking and a creative yet analytic approach to obstacles.
• An interest in current events with a passion for writing and storytelling.
• Ability to travel occasionally.
• Ability to speak and write in Spanish is preferred but not required.
• A demonstrated commitment to social, racial, and economic justice and a deep understanding of challenges facing low-wage workers, immigrant communities, communities of color, disabled people, LGBTQ+ folks, and people at the intersections of the above communities;

Hiring Process:

Applicants should expect to participate in two rounds of group interviews and a job simulation exercise. Final candidates will be asked to provide references. 

Salary and Benefits: 

CPD/A is a unionized workplace. This is a supervisory position, not included in our bargaining unit. Salary will be determined according to a salary scale which takes into account years of experience, job category, and other factors, but is expected to be $115,000-$130,000.

We have a generous benefits package, including health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 15 vacation days your first year, 12 sick days per year, additional PTO, including holidays, and contributions to individuals’ 401K plans. 

CPD/A is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and actively recruits people of color, womxn, individuals with disabilities, and members of the LGBTIQAA+ community.


Note: This job posting has been updated as of 4/9/2024.