Press Secretary

Alliance for Justice is a national association of more than 130 organizations dedicated to advancing justice and democracy. For 40 years we have been leaders in the fight for a more equitable society on behalf of a broad constituency of environmental, consumer, civil and women’s rights, children’s, senior citizens’ and other groups. Alliance for Justice is premised on the belief that all Americans have the right to secure justice in the courts and to have their voices heard when government makes decisions that affect their lives.

Over the course of four decades our vision has remained steadfast—to protect and expand pathways to justice and the democratic process—while our programs and tactics have been nimble and resilient, evolving with changing times and the needs of our members and the progressive community. AFJ is known for identifying and addressing threats to public interest and civil rights organizations, as well as opportunities they can seize. We pool resources and talents, organize campaigns, mobilize constituencies and drive strategies.

Job Purpose

AFJ is seeking a press secretary to serve as a core member of the Communications Team as well as to support our 501(c)(4) organization Alliance for Justice Action Campaign (AFJAC). This position will report to the Director of Communications and play a key role in helping to execute AFJ and AFJAC’s media strategies for outreach, coalition-building, grassroots organizing, and public education

Duties and Responsibilities

• Proactively identity and leverage opportunities in the national media and policy landscapes to promote AFJ and AFJAC’s thought leadership and advocacy agenda;
• Manage relationships with key reporters, bloggers, and allies;
• Organize AFJ/AFJAC’s response to press inquiries and requests for interviews on behalf of AFJ staff and its leadership;
• Work with program staff to engage spokespeople from AFJ’s network of coalition partners, member organizations, and legal and community leaders in press events and op-eds/LTEs;
• Actively monitor the media landscape on issues related to the federal courts and lobbying and campaign finance issues, and identify media opportunities for AFJ and its leadership; aggressively seek media coverage of AFJ positions and leadership;
• Develop and maintain media lists targeting journalists, commentators, and bloggers covering key policy issues of interest to AFJ;
• Monitor and disseminate media coverage of AFJ and issues of institutional concern;
• Work closely with the Communications Director to align messaging and ensure consistent branding for AFJ and AFJAC;
• Write and distribute press releases, media advisories, op-eds, and other media outreach materials;
• Participate in work to increase AFJ/AFJAC’s racial equity capacities; and
• Coordinate press conferences or event-based media opportunities;

Qualifications

• 5+ years of media relations experience in a nonprofit or advocacy organizations, Capitol Hill, or as a working journalist;
• Proven ability to build relationships with both mainstream and new-media editors, reporters, commentators, bloggers, and producers to strategically shape media coverage;
• Existing relationships with journalists, commentators, and new media writers who cover the courts and legal issues extremely helpful;
• Strong writing skills and attention to detail;
• Knowledge and understanding of issues within the purview of AFJ and AFJAC, including the courts, legal issues, and nonprofit advocacy;
• Strong understanding of the existing political and legal environment;
• Bachelor’s Degree in journalism, English, public affairs or other related field, or equivalent experience;
• Experience with Cision or similar media relations software;
• Ability to work on tight deadlines and after hours as needed;
• Willingness to work collaboratively and accept tasks not named in the job description;
• Spanish language skills a plus;

Proven time and project management skills