Senior Publicist

About the Job

Overview: 

Align Social Impact is seeking a creative and experienced Senior Publicist consultant to join the firm’s communications, PR and thought leadership practice. Align is a full-service impact agency at the nexus of storytelling, research, culture and systems change, and we specialize in serving brand, nonprofit, talent and foundation clients around the world to accelerate their impact in ways that can be felt and measured. The social impact senior publicist will play an integral role in leading public relations, positioning, and brand-building efforts for Align social impact clients in service a more just, vibrant, and sustainable world where people, planet, and culture thrive. 

Our Ideal Candidate is:

• A proven, proactive and collaborative communications leader who is dynamic, creative, and boundary-breaking
• Committed to building a more just, equitable and vibrant world with a keen understanding of the public relations, communications and social impact landscape 
• Specialized in surfacing authentic and compelling stories that resonate with audiences, communicating with clarity and precision, and astute at measuring and achieving outcomes for clients 
• A dedicated client-facing professional with expertise in managing cross-sector clients, understanding and developing goals and objectives and building long-term relationships 
• An agile systems builder and program designer with a knack for developing communications, campaign, messaging and program strategies that meet client or company needs
• An experienced, knowledgeable and professional team leader and mentor

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead bespoke strategic communications and public relations efforts for Align and its clients together with account teams and firm leadership. 
• Grow Align clients’ media presence and steward media and influencer relationships, building interest in and coverage of client and firm projects.
• Imagine and pitch compelling stories that are aligned with client and firm goals and priorities
• Develop talking points and issue area briefs on relevant topics and events for the firm and its clients. 
• Develop articles, presentations, speeches, and press kits and served as lead copywriter and/or editor and developer of all communications plans (launch, crisis, event, etc.).
• Manage all creative projects (eg, photoshoots). 
• Ensure firm and client websites, social media, and other digital channels are aligned to PR strategy.
• Design and manage content and communications calendars —execute and report results.
• Evaluate and identify events that Align and its clients should be attending/sponsoring to reach our target audiences. Determine our presence and manage logistics. Create and manage cross-channel pre- and post-event communications to drive awareness & connections.
• Ensure all contacts are captured, uploaded to client CRM systems and followed up on in a timely manner; evaluate the quality of the opportunity and report on next steps.

Required Skills & Experience:

• 10+ years of experience leading, managing or consulting on communications efforts and holding progressively more responsibility in public relations, communications and/or social media roles.
• Past experience or leadership role in communications efforts related to global CSR or ESG efforts or complex social impact initiatives on issues related to sustainability, the SDGs, sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion or philanthropy
• Demonstrated knowledge and proficiency with communications technologies
• Understands the principles of copywriting, graphic design, layout and publishing
• Familiarity with social media platforms and social media marketing
• Impeccable copywriting and copy-editing abilities
• Proven ability to identify and secure placements for client embargoed news, program or brand launches, or new talent partnerships 
• Access to an engaged network of communications professionals, journalists and freelancers to pitch stories to and 
• 5+ years of project management or leadership expertise with experience developing, planning and successfully implementing new communications campaigns, processes, projects or initiatives from scratch 
• 10+ years of experience building and supporting partnerships, programs or campaigns with diverse stakeholders or partners (ex: talent, government champions, private sector partners, philanthropists and/or NGOs)
• Proven research skills and translational writing capacity for highly technical partners, clients or initials to communicate programs in a manner that is real, relatable and impactful 
• Willingness to learn Align’s standards for client relations and client service, research and project management, and partnership building 
• Outstanding written and verbal communication and project management skills
• Expertise in using project management tools and systems to support Align operations (communications, social media, database management etc.) 
• Bachelor's degree in communications, PR, or related social impact field 
• Willingness and ability to travel, within the US and internationally 
• Willingness to work EST hours (8:30 AM - 5:30 PM ET)

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Understanding of the global social impact and philanthropic landscape and some experience working on or with advocacy, sustainability or issue area campaigns. 
• Familiarity, relationships, and experience working with NGOs, civil society and/or policy- or advocacy-related organizations
• Bilingual 

Align Social Impact is an Align Communications & Creative LLC Company and an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills. We do not discriminate, and all decisions we make are made on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business needs. Align will not tolerate discrimination in employment, employment-related decisions, or business dealings on the basis of race, color, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, religion, disability, ethnicity, national origin, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, or any other legally protected status. Learn more at www.alignsocialimpact.com.