Communications Officer

Knight Foundation; Miami (FL); On-site; USD 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Generous benefits package

In-office in Miami

Job summary

Knight Foundation seeks an exceptional writer and communications officer to shape how the foundation is understood in the press and public discourse. You will partner with the director of communications to deliver clear, timely messaging across Knight’s work and amplify the voice of a leading champion of the First Amendment, a free press and democracy.

This hands-on role blends strategy and execution across journalism, research, the arts and community impact.

Qualifications

• Experience in media relations, communications or journalism and ability to own defined areas of work.
• Exceptional writing and editing on deadline with AP style fluency.
• Strong news judgment and demonstrated media relations results or coverage earned.
• Sound judgment with sensitive information and ability to escalate appropriately.
• Comfort supporting live events and onsite execution.
• Commitment to Knight Foundation's mission and focus areas.

Responsibilities

• Support director of communications in building relationships with journalists and outlets.
• Draft press releases, statements, op-eds, talking points and briefing memos.
• Prepare materials for leadership for media interviews and public appearances.
• Track media coverage and inform positioning with performance data.
• Manage external communications vendors and edit freelance writers.
• Support convenings with event communications and relationships with peers and press.
• Coordinate cross-functional partnerships to align media and campaigns.

Skills

Media relations

Writing & editing

Project management

AP style

Story pitching

Tools

WordPress

Mailchimp

RSVPify

Monday

Asana

Airtable

Job description

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is seeking an exceptional writer with strong editorial judgment and project management skills to join our communications team and help shape how the foundation is understood in the press and public discourse. As communications officer, you will partner with the director of communications to support the delivery of clear, timely and consequential communications across the foundation’s work, and amplify the voice of one of the nation’s leading champions of the First Amendment, a free press and democracy.

This is a hands-on role for a thoughtful, highly organized professional who can move between strategy and execution. You will work across Knight’s grantmaking portfolio in journalism, research, the arts and community impact to identify stories and translate complex ideas, research findings, grantmaking and convenings into compelling materials for journalists, partners and the public.

Knight holds itself to high editorial standards and journalistic integrity. This role carries that into how we talk about our mission to ignite in every person the power to shape thriving communities.

You will work closely with Knight’s director of communications, within the communications function led by our vice president of communications and digital strategy. The role sits in our Miami headquarters.

You are an ideal candidate if:

You understand the essential role of the First Amendment in a democracy. You have strong command of AP style, experience in communications, media relations or journalism and a deep understanding of the media landscape and the narratives shaping public conversation and civic discourse today. You’re organized, respect deadlines, have or are willing to build relationships with reporters and influencers, and have experience managing vendors and editing writers. You own your areas of responsibility, work with growing independence, spot risks early and know when to escalate. You keep pace when priorities shift, and you do your best work on a small team.

Key responsibilities:

• Media relations: Support the director of communications in building and maintaining working relationships with journalists, editors, thought leaders, influencers and outlets. Pitch stories, field inquiries, coordinate staff interviews and help secure accurate, timely coverage of Knight’s work.
• Writing and message development: Draft press releases, statements, op-eds, talking points and briefing memos that hold to the foundation’s external narrative and voice. Keep internal message houses, data repositories and grantmaking dollar amounts up to date.
• Leadership and spokesperson support: Prepare materials to equip leadership and program staff for media interviews, public appearances and high-stakes conversations, including background research, Q&A and briefing materials.
• Monitoring and insight: Track media coverage and perceptions of the foundation to inform how to position Knight’s work in public conversation, backed by performance data.
• Vendors and project management: Work with external communications vendors across public relations, speechwriting and event production. Edit and manage freelance writers for Knight’s owned editorial content.
• Convenings: Support program development, talking-points, event communications, including invitations and relationships with peer funders, grantees, high-profile guests and the press before, during and after events. Partner with the convenings project manager, who leads logistics and execution, and with the marketing and creative team on brand and creative. Expect hands-on support onsite, with occasional evenings, weekends and travel.
• Cross-functional partnership: Keep communications, marketing, convenings and program teams in step so media, campaign and field engagement line up.

Things we look for in a successful candidate:

• Experience in media relations, communications or journalism, with a track record of owning defined areas of work with increasing independence.
• Exceptional writing and editing on deadline, with command of AP style.
• Strong news judgment and demonstrated media relations results or reported work: pitches placed, reporter relationships built and coverage earned.
• Sound judgment and discretion with sensitive, embargoed or high-profile information and the instinct to escalate issues appropriately.
• Comfort supporting live events, including preproduction and hands-on execution on site.
• Commitment to Knight’s mission and interest in free expression, thriving communities and our focus areas: Information Ecosystems, Economic Mobility and Cultural Vibrancy.

Preferred but not required:

• Journalism experience, or non-profit communications experience.
• Familiarity with media monitoring and coverage analysis tools.
• Proficiency with a leading content management system (e.g., WordPress) and email marketing platforms such as Mailchimp and RSVPify.
• Experience with project management tools such as Monday, Asana and Airtable.
• Experience with or openness to using artificial intelligence to streamline processes and increase efficiency.

Interested candidates should submit a brief portfolio (PDF or website link) of their work and a resume to [e-mail].

About Knight Foundation

We ignite in every person the power to shape thriving communities.

John S. and James L. Knight believed that a well-informed community could best “determine its own true interests” and was essential to a well-functioning, thriving democracy. For 75 years, Knight Foundation has continued their work by supporting people, organizations and insights that lead to healthier communities.

The foundation invests in journalism, arts and culture, research and field-building efforts that promote a more resilient information ecosystem, deepen shared understanding and advance a culture of free expression and community development in the 26 cities where the Knight brothers once published newspapers. Since our founding in 1950, we have been committed to the communities we serve and to providing those communities with the tools they need for residents to thrive.

We believe in freedom of expression and in the values expressed in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. We believe an informed citizenry is essential for representative democracy to function effectively. We believe in engaged, equitable and inclusive communities. We believe in the power of diverse perspectives to foster positive change and build stronger, more equitable communities.

Our drive to create positive change is amplified by our ability to collaborate internally and with our partners. We look for authenticity, agility and accountability, knowing we are at our best when we leverage our collective strengths and experiences. We proactively approach our work with a sense of pride and responsibility, adapting as needed to the changing realities in our communities.

Knight Foundation offers competitive pay and a generous benefits package and is an equal opportunity employer. The hiring salary range for this role starts at $80,000. Actual compensation is based on a number of factors including qualifications, skills and relevant experience.

This is an in-office position located in Miami.

This posting outlines the general nature of the role and is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities; duties may change based on organizational needs. The role requires the ability to perform standard office activities. Reasonable accommodation will be provided as required by law.