Press Secretary

The Barack Obama Foundation; United States; Hybrid; USD 104,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Barack Obama Foundation seeks a Press Secretary to advance the mission through strategic storytelling, media relations, and national/local outreach. This hybrid role at the Obama Presidential Center focuses on earned media, creator partnerships, and crisis-ready communications to inform and inspire diverse audiences.

You'll lead media strategy, manage external partners, and mentor the communications team, delivering high-impact coverage and cohesive messaging across traditional and new media

Qualifications

• 8 years in public relations, media relations, or strategic communications.
• Established network of national/local press contacts with a track record of high-impact coverage.
• Ability to identify and package compelling narratives aligned with institutional goals.
• Experience navigating media crises and rapid response scenarios.
• Experience managing teams and external consultants on cross-functional projects.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Communications & Media Relations: develop and execute PR strategy, cultivate national/local media, and coordinate with influencers.
• Storytelling & Message Development: surface and pitch stories that highlight impact and align messaging across platforms.
• Major Events & Program Launches: lead media strategy and execution for events and milestones.
• Crisis Communications & Rapid Response: develop crisis playbooks and provide rapid perspectives to emerging opportunities.
• External Partnerships & Consultant Management: oversee agencies and consultants to meet communications goals.
• Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration: mentor the team and work with other departments to ensure cohesive messaging.

Skills

Public relations

Media relations

Strategic communications

Crisis communications

Team leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

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.

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/ .