Press Officer - Center for Reproductive Rights

Job Title: Press Officer 

Department: Communications

Center Background:  The Center for Reproductive Rights (the Center) is a global human rights organization working to ensure that reproductive rights are protected in law as fundamental human rights around the world. With offices in New York City, New York; Nairobi, Kenya; Bogota, Colombia; Geneva, Switzerland; and Washington, D.C., the Center is a non-profit, non-partisan organization changing law and policy throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the United States. Our 230+ diverse professionals are committed to advancing the Center's human rights mission through game-changing litigation, legal policy, and advocacy work. This has powered the Center's exceptional growth to an operating budget of over $50 million and won the respect of law firms in countries around the world, with an additional $29 million annually of donated legal services, representing the work of countless lawyers from more than 46 countries.

The Center's Strategic Plan sets a high mark for impact: By 2030, half of the world's population will be living under stronger protections for reproductive rights than they are today. The Center has a track record of success to back up this ambitious goal. Since our founding in 1992, the Center has transformed how reproductive rights are understood and applied by courts, governments, and human rights bodies worldwide on issues including maternal health, abortion, assisted reproduction, and adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). We have won groundbreaking cases before national courts, U.N. Committees, and regional human rights bodies. Additionally, the Center has led the development of historic, proactive legislation advancing robust protections for reproductive rights and has built the legal capacity of women's rights advocates in more than 65 countries and counting.

The Role: The U.S. Press Officer will report directly to the Associate Director of U.S. Media Relations and will work closely with the Center's attorneys and other U.S. Program staff. At this critical time for reproductive rights, she/he/they will help shape the organization's messaging and create proactive press strategies to influence public discourse and policy makers, effecting real change.

The Press Officer will play a critical role on the Press Team, securing coverage of the Center as well as its clients in high-profile media. The Press Officer will collaborate with the larger Communications Team to increase the visibility of the Center's work in the U.S., including litigation and policy/advocacy work at the federal and state level.

They will engage journalists and thought leaders at the national and local level to promote the Center's work on priority issues like abortion access and maternal health care. This includes securing media coverage and interviews (TV, radio, online and print); placing op-eds in key media outlets; developing press materials and talking points; creating comprehensive press plans; and preparing spokespeople for media appearances.

The Press Officer plays a strategic role in the Communications Department, continually surveying the media landscape for upcoming opportunities and challenges—and working with colleagues within and outside the department to develop strategies for responding to them, often on very tight deadlines.

This position can be based out of the Center's New York headquarters or Washington D.C. office. Covid-19 Vaccination is required for all U.S.-based employees of the Center.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Work with the larger Press Team to create and execute impactful public relations strategies for the Center's 30+ ongoing lawsuits and U.S. policy initiatives.
• Translate dense legal arguments and concepts into digestible messaging that resonates with press and the general public.
• Cultivate, maintain and expand relationships with key journalists, editors, bookers and others who regularly cover reproductive rights issues in national, regional and local outlets.
• Secure top tier profile pieces on the Center's attorneys and experts.
• Write press releases, statements, briefing memos, talking points, and op-eds related to the Center's U.S. work (in partnership with the larger Press Team).
• Monitor trends and developments in media and culture related to reproductive rights issues; identify opportunities and suggest strategies for positioning the Center as a leading public authority in the field.
• Prepare Center spokespeople for press interviews and public appearances, including drafting talking points and providing formal media training and informal prep sessions prior to each interview or event.
• Help manage the Center's robust database of media contacts, ensuring it is current and constantly expanding as reporter assignments change. Proactively develop relationships with reporters and editors.
• Work closely and collaborate effectively with other departments to ensure strategies are aligned across the organization.
• Work with partner organizations on joint messaging and shared media goals as appropriate.
• Execute special projects as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Occasional travel for court hearings and other events.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 8 years experience in media relations or journalism;
• Bachelor's Degree required;
• Successful track record of developing and executing communications strategies and campaigns in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment;
• Strong experience in media and press strategy including print, broadcast and digital;
• Existing press relationships is a plus;
• Experience in advocacy or a legal field is preferred;
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, and problem-solving skills, and the ability to operate professionally under intense pressure;
• Exceptional writing, editing and messaging skills;
• Strong verbal communication skills and ability to communicate effectively;
• Proficiency with PR software such as Cision is a plus;
• Extremely sharp organizational skills and ability to manage large volumes of projects, tasks, and files;
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced environment with a wide variety of strong personalities; sense of humor;
• Willingness to work outside of standard work hours when breaking news occurs;
• Deep dedication to the Center's mission, values, and strategic objectives.

Don't meet every single requirement? At the Center, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your past experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway.  You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Behavioral Competencies:

• Develop & Manage Self & Others: Takes ownership of individual growth in order to achieve full potential; recognizes the value of team members and helps them develop their full potential while also achieving set objectives. 
• Collaboration (People First): Works intra- and/or cross-departmentally to support the goals and overarching strategies of the Center and its strategic plan.
• Feedback (Improve & Innovate): Actively engaged in feedback cycles: Gives and requests feedback to and from peers, supervisors and direct reports about work products, behaviors, values, style, and approaches with a view on how this impacts self, other individuals, and teams.
• Accountability: Follow-through on each commitment made to individual contributors, teams and partners and proactively informs others of any delays that occur along the way.

Work Competencies:

• Project Management: Works effectively on project teams in order to achieve long-term project goal and objectives.
• Problem Solve & Make Decisions: Identifies, analyzes and resolves existing and anticipated problems, using common sense to make timely decisions in order to reach the best solutions for the organization.
• Internal/External Focus: Anticipates internal and external partner's needs; assesses requirements and identifies new solutions that align with overall goals and objectives of the organization.
• Communication & Influence: Communicates with and influences others to gain agreement and commitment to the strategic goals of the organization.

Compensation: The annual salary for this position is $96,000. This salary is reflective of a position based in New York City or Washington D.C. This salary will be subject to a locality adjustment, if an authorization is granted to work outside of the location listed in this posting. Note that most of the salaries listed on our job postings reflect New York, NY salaries, where our National offices are headquartered.

Benefits:

• Health: The Center pays up to 95%* of the premium for a comprehensive health insurance plan with no in-network deductible and best-in-class reproductive healthcare coverage, including infertility. The Center also offers Dental and Vision coverage. (* % may differ in various countries)
• Flexibility: The Center currently operates in a hybrid model, allowing staff to work 3 days in the office and work 2 days from home
• Well-being: The Center offers resources to help prevent and recover from burnout through different programs that enable mental, physical and community well-being.  The Center offers generous leave including paid parental leave, personal days, vacation, and sick leave. We are also closed the last week of December to allow staff to spend time with their loved ones.
• Growth: You will be working with and learning from some of the top legal and operational minds, all passionate about the mission of advancing reproductive rights around the world. You will also be eligible for a stipend to use towards professional growth.
• Global: You will get a front-row seat to update on the fight for reproductive rights in the global space. You will also have access to Employee Resource Groups to connect to colleagues that share similar interests/backgrounds/views.
• Investment: After the first year of employment, the Center will contribute 7.5%* of your annual salary to a 401(k) (* only applicable in US and Kenya) 

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Center is committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. We strongly encourage people from all communities to apply. If you are excited about this role and unsure about whether your past experience aligns with the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles.

Our hiring processes and our work culture offer support and flexibility for staff with a variety of needs. Should you face an accessibility barrier in the application and interview process please let us know by contacting talent@reprorights.org. We will work with you to provide the accommodation that works best for you. 

To learn more about the Center's commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), please visit Diversity, Equity and Inclusion | Center for Reproductive Rights

Learn more about the Center for Reproductive Rights, go to  www.reproductiverights.org

FLSA Exempt Status: This is an exempt position.

Union Status: This position will be part of the CRR Union, a shop within Local 2110 United Auto Workers—Technical, Office, and Professional Workers Union.

How to Apply: Please complete the application below to apply. A cover letter and resume must be included in your application. Please include these application materials as attachments.

Please note that all genuine Center openings must be applied through the Center website. The Center does not charge a fee at any stage in the recruitment process (application, interviews, or selection). Nor does it request any medical examinations or bank account information as part of this process. If someone contacts, you on behalf of the Center requesting payment for your application please notify talent@reprorights.org before taking any further action.

Our hiring processes and our work culture offer support and flexibility for staff with a variety of needs. Should you face an accessibility barrier in the application and interview process please let us know by contacting talent@reprorights.org. We will work with you to provide the accommodation that works best for you. 

Deadline for applications: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. 

Center policy on visa sponsorship for US based positions: Applicants for employment in the US must have valid work authorization that does not now and/or will not in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the US by The Center for Reproductive Rights.

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