Press Secretary

Obama Foundation; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 104,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Obama Foundation seeks a strategic Press Secretary to lead external storytelling and media outreach from the South Side of Chicago. You will pitch stories to traditional media, cultivate Creator/Influencer partnerships, and drive program launches with the editorial team.

Reporting to the Vice President of Communications, you’ll shape messaging across all channels. You will manage crises, coordinate with partners and consultants, and mentor a growing communications team to advance the

Qualifications

• 8 years in public relations, media relations, or strategic communications in nonprofit/mission-driven org.
• Established network of national/local press contacts with track record of high-impact coverage.
• Ability to identify and package narratives aligned with institutional goals.
• Experience navigating media crises and rapid response scenarios.
• Experience managing teams, external consultants, and cross-functional projects.
• Ability to operate in fast-paced environment with strategic agility and discretion.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a public relations strategy translating the Foundation’s mission to external stakeholders.
• Cultivate relationships with national/local traditional media and secure earned media.
• Collaborate with social media to amplify messaging with influencers.
• Surface and pitch stories highlighting impact, leadership, programming.
• Ensure messaging consistency across all public-facing communications.
• Lead media strategy, planning, and execution for major events and milestones.
• Manage relationships with external PR agencies and consultants.
• Provide mentorship and leadership within the communications team.
• Oversee special projects and new opportunities for audience engagement.

Skills

Public relations

Media relations

Strategic communications

Nonprofit experience

Crisis communications

Team leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Storytelling

Job description

At The Obama Foundation, our mission is to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world. We seek to build an active democratic culture where people are equipped and motivated to make change in the communities where they live, work, and play. Right here on the South Side of Chicago, we’re building a home for this vision, a global center for change with a range of opportunities - coordinated programming, community outreach events, educational moments, and more - that invite visitors from down the block or across the globe to turn hope into action.

Achieving our ambitious goals starts with an exceptional team built on our Hope to Action Values - Courage, Empathy, Integrity, Accountability, Community, Inclusivity, Pragmatism, Resilience, Imagination, and Hope. A Framework that anyone, anywhere, can use to build trust, activate participation, and expand opportunity in their community.

Purpose of the Role

The Press Secretary will play a pivotal role in pitching The Obama Foundation’s stories with external audiences, with a focus on traditional legacy media but also a lens toward Creator/Influencer cultivation in partnership with the editorial team. The role will focus on audience cultivation, prioritizing earned media with a lens toward supporting and enhancing the Foundation’s strategic communications efforts.

The Press Secretary will be responsible for surfacing stories and pitching external outlets, managing public relations, launching special projects and working with external PR resources and consultants. Additionally, this role will drive program launches and major events for the communications team and provide strategic leadership and management within the communications function. This role encompasses working across the Foundation, on all initiatives and programming, ensuring cohesive and impactful messaging and traditional and new media outreach.

As the Press Secretary, you’ll be reporting directly to the Vice President of Communications.

Core Job Responsibilities

Strategic Communications & Media Relations

• Support the VP of Communications in developing and executing a public relations strategy that translates the Foundation’s mission to key external stakeholders.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with national and local traditional media, securing high-impact earned media coverage.
• Work with the social media team to engage audience-based communicators, such as influencers, to amplify the Foundation’s messaging.

Storytelling & Message Development

• Surface, package, and pitch compelling stories that highlight the Foundation’s impact, leadership, and programming.
• Ensure messaging consistency and alignment across all public-facing communications.

Major Events & Program Launches

• Lead media strategy, planning, and execution for major Foundation events, announcements, and program milestones.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to maximize press coverage and public engagement.

Crisis Communications & Rapid Response

• Support the development of crisis communications protocols and playbooks.
• Provide strategic counsel and rapid response to emerging media opportunities and challenges.

External Partnerships & Consultant Management

• Manage relationships with external PR agencies, consultants, and strategic communications partners.
• Oversee contract deliverables to ensure alignment with the Foundation’s communications goals.

Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Provide mentorship and leadership within the communications team, fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment.
• Work cross-functionally across departments to ensure cohesive messaging and media strategy.

Special Projects & Emerging Opportunities

• Lead and oversee special communications projects that advance the Foundation’s mission and visibility.
• Identify and execute new opportunities for audience engagement through media and strategic partnerships.

Required Qualifications

• 8 years in public relations, media relations, or strategic communications, preferably in a nonprofit, government, or mission-driven organization.
• Established network of national and local press contacts, with a proven track record of securing high-impact coverage.
• Strong ability to identify and package compelling narratives that align with institutional goals.
• Experience navigating media crises and rapid response scenarios.
• Experience managing teams, external consultants, and cross-functional projects.
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced environment with strategic agility and discretion.

The salary range for this role is between $104,310 and $130,435.

This is a hybrid role based at the Obama Presidential Center.

For an overview of our benefits package, including insurance, paid time off, retirement & more, please visit https://www.obama.org/careers/.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Foundation is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply. If you are a qualified candidate with a disability, please e-mail us at [e-mail] if you require a reasonable accommodation to complete this application.