Communications Officer

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

Job summary

Knight Foundation seeks an exceptional writer with strong editorial judgment and project management skills to join our communications team in Miami. The role supports the director of communications to shape how the foundation is understood in the press and public discourse, drafting releases, memos and statements with a clear external voice.

You will work across grantmaking in journalism, research, arts and community impact, translating complex ideas into compelling materials for journalists,

Qualifications

• Strong editorial judgment and project management skills.
• Experience in communications, media relations or journalism.
• Deep understanding of media landscape and public discourse today.
• Ability to manage vendors and edit writers; own areas with growing independence.
• Willingness to relocate or work onsite in Miami and collaborate with small teams.

Responsibilities

• Support the director of communications in building and maintaining relationships with journalists, editors, and outlets.
• Draft releases, statements, op-eds, talking points and briefing memos in line with external narrative.
• Prepare materials for leadership for media interviews and public appearances.
• Track media coverage and inform positioning of Knight’s work in public conversation.
• Coordinate with external vendors for PR, speechwriting and events; edit freelance content.
• Support convenings and align communications across programs, marketing and field teams.

Skills

Editorial judgment

Project management

AP style

Media relations

Journalism

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 elevate. 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 elevate 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.

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.