Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Legal Voice is a gender justice organization advocating through litigation, legislative change, and public engagement across the Northwest. The External & Media Relations Lead shapes and elevates the organization’s public voice by developing integrated communications and media strategies, translating complex legal and policy issues into compelling stories, and advising organizational leadership. The role also oversees digital communications, content development, public affairs partnerships, crisis communications, and brand stewardship.
Responsibilities
- Develop and implement a comprehensive external communications strategy aligned with organizational priorities
- Create annual communications plans with measurable goals and key performance indicators
- Ensure consistent messaging across all public-facing platforms
- Manage the organization’s brand identity, voice, and messaging framework
- Serve as the organization’s primary media contact
- Build and maintain relationships with local, regional, and national journalists
- Develop media strategies around litigation, policy advocacy, legislative priorities, research, and organizational announcements
- Draft press releases, media advisories, talking points, and statements
- Coordinate interviews, editorial board meetings, and media briefings
- Prepare organizational leadership and subject matter experts for media appearances
- Monitor media coverage and identify proactive media opportunities
- Manage crisis communications and rapid response messaging
- Serve as communications advisor to the Executive Director
- Draft speeches, keynote remarks, op-eds, blogs, letters to the editor, and public statements
- Prepare briefing materials for press conferences, interviews, board meetings, and public events
- Help position organizational leadership as trusted experts on gender justice and public policy
- Oversee, develop and integrate digital communications campaigns across platforms
- Collaborate with designers and digital consultants to produce compelling multimedia content
- Analyze digital engagement and optimize communications strategies based on performance
- Collaborate with staff, partners, community, and clients to elevate stories while protecting confidentiality and dignity
- Translate litigation, policy victories, and research into accessible public narratives
- Produce collateral including development and marketing campaign materials
- Ensure all communications reflect equity-centered practices
- Collaborate with coalition partners on coordinated communications strategies
- Represent the organization at public events, conferences, and media opportunities as appropriate
- Identify opportunities to expand the organization’s influence among policymakers, funders, and community stakeholders
- Maintain brand standards and messaging consistency
- Ensure organizational materials reflect professionalism, accessibility, and inclusivity
- Manage relationships with external communications vendors, public relations consultants, photographers, videographers, and designers
Skills
- • Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, political science, or related field (or equivalent experience)
- • At least 7 years of progressively responsible communications and media relations experience
- • Demonstrated success securing earned media coverage
- • Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills
- • Experience translating complex legal, policy, or public affairs issues for broad audiences
- • Strong strategic thinking and project management abilities
- • Experience working under tight deadlines and managing multiple priorities
- • Commitment to equity, inclusion, and social justice
- • Strategic communications planning
- • Media relations and press outreach
- • Executive communications
- • Crisis communications
- • Public speaking and presentation coaching
- • Exceptional writing and editing
- • Brand management
- • Digital communications
- • Relationship building
- • Project management
- • Political judgment and discretion
- • Collaborative leadership
- • Experience in nonprofit advocacy, legal services, public policy, or government
- • Existing relationships with regional and national media
- • Crisis communications experience
- • Familiarity with digital analytics, SEO, and email marketing platforms
- • Experience supervising communications staff or consultants
- • Understanding of gender justice, civil rights, or constitutional law issues
Benefits
- Medical coverage
- Mental health coverage
- Dental coverage
- Vision coverage
- Life/AD&D coverage
- Wellness stipend
- 45 days PTO per year (self-determined holidays, vacation, and sick leave)
- Two one-week office closures in summer and end-of-year
- 401(k) eligibility after six months of employment with a possible employer contribution
- Flexible and generous family leave
- Professional development opportunities
- Technology stipend
- Hybrid (Seattle area) or Remote (MT, ID, WA)
Company Overview