Strategic Communications Director

The HistoryMakers; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The HistoryMakers, the nation’s largest African American video oral history archive, seeks a Communications Director to lead strategic public relations and media outreach. The role reports to the Founder & President and collaborates with the Chief of Staff to advance the organization’s mission.

Responsibilities include developing a strategic media plan, increasing public awareness, coordinating communication materials, and creating speeches, press releases, and annual reports.

Qualifications

• Excellent oral and written communications required.
• Editorial and proofreading accuracy is essential.
• Proven media pitching and press relations experience.
• Experience as a speechwriter preferred.
• Experience with editorial boards and letters to the editor.
• Ability to work independently and build stakeholder rapport.
• Ability to work in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments.
• Willingness to travel post-COVID19.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a strategic media plan for the organization, its public programs and events, individual HistoryMakers and the President/Founder.
• Significantly increase public awareness of The HistoryMakers.
• Coordinate all communication materials and activities.
• Develop fact-sheets, briefing papers, speeches, news releases, annual reports, etc.
• Develop national and local media lists.

Skills

Media relations

Pitching press

Speechwriting

Editorial proofreading

Stakeholder management

Deadline-driven

Independent work

Public speaking

Fast-paced environment

Education

Undergraduate degree (Communications, Journalism, African American Studies, History, Education or related)

Job description

The HistoryMakers, the nation’s largest African American video oral history archive, seeks a Communications Director to lead strategic public relations and media outreach. The role reports to the Founder & President and collaborates with the Chief of Staff to advance the organization’s mission.

Responsibilities include developing a strategic media plan, increasing public awareness, coordinating communication materials, and creating speeches, press releases, and annual reports.