Director of Communications & Media Relations

 

Founded in 1988, The Pioneer Institute is a Boston-based research organization that develops and communicates dynamic ideas that advance prosperity and vibrant civic life in Massachusetts and beyond. Our organization promotes world-class options in education, healthcare, and economic opportunity, and seeks to elevate civil discourse and advance limited and accountable government. In addition to the innovative solutions developed by the Institute, our researchers partner with the Pioneer Public Interest Law Center to expand the effectiveness of our work and drive significant change both in New England and at the federal level. 

 

As the Institute looks to the next iteration of its strategic plan, Pioneer is seeking a Director of Communications & Media Relations. The Director will be an innovative communications leader who will develop and implement strategies to enhance and expand the reach of both the Institute and the Law Center. A key member of the senior management team, the Director leads branding, communications, and marketing strategies and will play an essential role in developing relationships with local and national media outlets. Additionally, the Director will be an important partner in executing a strategic vision for the promotion of the Institute’s mission and research to a wide range of constituents, including supporters, civic decision-makers, the media, and the public utilizing printed, electronic, and audio-visual communications. 

 

If you are someone who is interested in joining a dynamic team of researchers who are committed to fact-based evidence, the free exchange of ideas, liberty, personal responsibility, and free enterprise, we encourage you to apply.

 

Responsibilities

Strategy

  • Evaluate current communications strategies with the goal of implementing a comprehensive marketing and public relations strategy focused on expanding the reach of the Institute’s research both in Massachusetts and on a national level. With a rebranding effort currently underway, the Director will be well-positioned to implement a brand refresh with new materials, brand standards, and a comprehensive strategy.
  • Serve as staff leader in the Board’s quarterly Education & Communications Committee meetings providing analysis of the effectiveness of current strategies to demonstrate the impact of the Institute and Law Center.

Key Roles

  • Expand Pioneer’s reach and promote its work to the media, policy-makers, and the general public
    • Quarterbacking press queries
    • Sometimes serving as the Institute’s spokesperson
    • Building relationships with regional and national outlets, including frequent meetings with traditional and social media professionals and quarterly meetings with key editorial boards 
  • Develop and manage the Communications Strategy, and ensure clarity of roles and measures of success, by maintaining with the COO and the Communications Team
    • A matrix of Responsibilities to ensure clarity of roles, and discuss quarterly
    • An agreed-to set of metrics of success is then used in all reporting to the Board of Directors
  • Partner with the CDO and Development team to create integrated marketing campaigns in support of fundraising efforts

 

Key Production Tasks

  • Produce (including, as appropriate, oversight, story generation, editing, writing, and layout/design) 
    • (With the Development team,) the quarterly Chairman’s Update on Pioneer’s work and media
    • Quarterly In Brief newsletter of the Pioneer Public Interest Law Center (PPILC)
    • Report releases: Promote press releases, plan release strategy and create target recipient list, follow-up with media representatives to place articles and commentaries 
    • (With the graphic designer,) track submissions to the graphic designer and review the layout and design of research papers and products
    • E-blasts: Create strategy and oversee content creation with the approval of the policy lead
    • Blogs: (With COO, policy directors, and interns,) oversee blog postings and ensure social media promotion done by Communications staff is effective
    • (With the Development team,) manage Pioneer’s contact list
    • (With the Development team, senior staff, and graphic designer) Pioneer and PPILC’s Annual Reports
  • Oversee the Institute’s web presence, including Pioneer, PPILC, and all other online web products
    • Homepages: Weekly refresh – draft and edit content
    • Interior content: Bi-annual review – draft content as needed following review 
  • Oversee the Digital Marketing Manager, who manages the various social media platforms, ensuring high-quality, timely content, messaging, and visual displays. Determine if advertising is cost-effective
  • Oversee podcast promotion
  • Develop and monitor the Communications budget

 

Other

  • Events:
    • Oversee promotion plan for events
    • Oversee event logistics coordinated by other members of the Communications team
  • Maintain (with the COO) 
    • A list of contractors, from technologists, digital providers, video and podcast services, etc.
    • An internal list of all platforms and subscriptions
    • Evaluate the effectiveness of subscriptions
  • Working closely with a technology consultant to ensure optimum website performance 
  • Direct Reports: Digital Marketing Manager & Communications and Media Associate

 

Qualifications/Skills

  • Experience in dealing with news media
  • Top-notch writing/editing, layout/design, and publication production skills
  • Thorough understanding of HTML, JPG, and GIF to produce/update content for existing web pages.
  • Ability to juggle multiple projects simultaneously, meeting frequent deadlines and managing projects within budget constraints
  • Ability to manage staff (two people) effectively
  • to accomplish goals
  • Experience in collaborating with printers, freelance photographers, writers, and web designers.
  • Familiarity with database management is helpful as is an affinity for/strong interest in Pioneer’s mission and issue areas
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
  • Proficiency in MS Word, desktop 

 

Education & experience

  • Master’s or bachelor’s degree in communications or the humanities, or strong field experience
  • At least five years of working experience in public relations and/or the media
  • Strong comprehension of social media

Work Hours & Benefits

  • Hybrid working schedule (3-4 days in office)
  • Competitive salary
  • Excellent benefits
  • Participation in company health (medical, dental, LT-disability) insurance plans upon employment
  • Generous flextime policy

How to Apply: Send your resume and cover letter to mconnaughton@pioneerinstitute.org, with the subject line: “Director of Communications and Media Relations.” To learn more about Pioneer Institute: visit our website.