About Dēmos: Dēmos is a non-profit public policy organization working to build a just, inclusive multiracial democracy and economy. We build power with and for Black and brown communities through our strategic partnerships with state-based and grassroots organizations.  

On the eve of the organization’s 25th anniversary, we are celebrating a successful legacy that institutionalized the inherent connection between our democracy and economy. From campaign finance reform to credit card debt to student debt, Dēmos has built campaigns and won structural reform that has changed the way communities wield civic, political, and economic power in this country.   

Over the next three years, we will work to realize the next iteration of Dēmos' legacy by transforming our strategies and organizational structure to unapologetically build power with and for Black and brown communities. As a national public policy institution, we see our role as the nexus between federal and state strategies, leveraging our policy, research, and narrative expertise to uplift and enhance the insights and experience of our movement partners.  

Associate Director of Media Engagement. Dēmos is looking for a media relations expert to develop, design, and lead our media strategy. The Associate Director of Media Engagement will work across the organization to generate maximum visibility for Dēmos’ work and its experts with an eye toward deploying the most advanced methods of breaking through in an increasingly noisy media landscape. The ideal candidate always has their pulse on the news cycle, has proven skills in cultivating deep relationships with journalists, and has the instincts needed to provide strategic guidance on how to give research, campaigns, and people the best possible exposure at the right time. Candidates should have demonstrated experience taking on increasing responsibilities in a fast-paced environment and leading media strategy. This position reports to Dēmos’ Director of Communications.   

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

• Producing top-line messaging for all staff and consultants to follow. 
• Creating and maintaining Dēmos press lists.
• Proactively offering long-term communications ideas and strategies that will support Dēmos' mission and its president’s executive presence.
• Leading media planning and messaging for all Dēmos programs. 
• Drafting, reviewing and/or editing media materials, leading media pitching, preparing briefing memos for interviews, and providing actionable ideas for social media engagement. 
• Drafting, reviewing, and/or editing materials pertaining to staff speaking engagements.
• Fielding media requests and speaking inquiries for Dēmos leadership and content experts and tracking them. 
• Conducting media outreach for all major programs and spokespeople. 
• Managing and staffing media interviews.
• Drafting and disseminating media releases and advisories and conducting follow-up as needed. 
• Drafting, editing and disseminating Dēmos staff Op-Eds, LTEs, statements, etc.
• Overseeing media monitoring and providing regular analysis of impact and engagement. 

Portfolio and Team Leadership: Collaborate effectively on projects with other members of your team and staff from across Dēmos’s teams. Working closely with the Director of your team the Associate Director will support with team leadership and day-to-day portfolio and project management. This includes working as a thought partner and leader on individual projects and the collective work of the team. They will support staff on their team, checking in with team members regularly to ensure clarity on goals, to develop space for feedback, and to support staff and portfolio development. They will represent their team in internal or external meetings, including but not limited to team meetings, all staff meetings, and funder meetings. They will be mindful of and model organizational policies, practices, and values to their team. They will also advise on hiring processes as appropriate. 

Working for Racial Equity: Along with all of the above, you consistently integrate your deep understanding of key racial equity concepts into work projects and interactions by addressing structural implications and disproportionate impacts of policies, activities, and decisions on race, class and other group identities within the context of job responsibilities and projects.  

Other responsibilities as requested by your supervisor from time to time. 

The successful candidate must demonstrate the following experience and skills: 

• Proven ability to develop and design media relations strategy: Working closely with Dēmos staff, you envision and implement comprehensive media strategies to grow the organization’s influence and impact. You develop communications plans that support the organization’s goals and you can identify and leverage media opportunities at key moments.  
• Superior writing ability: You are a talented writer who is skilled at translating complicated ideas into more accessible content and you know how to craft a compelling narrative. 
• Ability to quickly gain deep issue fluency: You have a demonstrated ability to quickly gain fluency in new topics and policy areas. 
• Skilled at managing workflow: You are able to prioritize work and can successfully manage multiple projects. You have a strong sense of ownership and successfully plan and coordinate workflow, consistently meet deadlines, and motivate others to do the same. You are a systems thinker with attention to detail, high standards for work products and for relationship management. You like setting ambitious goals, and bring rigor to your work and management. 
• Leading on racial equity: You have a sophisticated understanding of how racialized dynamics impact staff and supervisory relationships, organizational culture, partnerships, campaigns and coalition work, and can demonstrate a history of successfully deepening a racial justice approach within your work, an organization, team, or campaign.  
• Proven success in building strong, collaborative relationships: You command trust and authority from external and internal stakeholders. You have a history of building alignment and effective collaborations grounded in shared goals and clear roles and responsibilities. You meet people where they are and win people to your point of view, when needed. 

The most competitive candidates will demonstrate several of the following skills and experiences: 

• Experience in a nonprofit or issue-based advocacy environment: You can work calmly and effectively in a fast-paced environment and can make sound decisions during quick-moving situations.
• Issue fluency in our core issues: Experience with at least one of Demos’ core issues: democracy reform (money in politics and voting rights) or economic justice (financial justice and the racial wealth divide; budget and tax justice, worker justice), and a willingness to learn more about the others.
• Experience managing communications deliverables and strategy for a principal: You have demonstrated a sound ability to curate and adhere to a voice for executive level leadership and have experience navigating collaborative editing processes in real time.
• Familiarity with the following workflow and relationship management tools: MOCHAs, Asana, Salesforce for example; and an interest in detail-oriented systems. 
• Experience managing projects with staff with diverse skill sets. You have demonstrated success working mid and junior level staff, and are skilled at giving and receiving regular, developmental feedback. 

Work Location: Dēmos has adopted a hybrid, remote-first work model with in-person meetings taking place in the current offices in New York City or Washington, D.C. Candidates based in any continental U.S. location with the ability to travel are encouraged to apply. 

Salary and Benefits:

The annual starting salary range for the Associate Director of Media Engagement is $126,000 - $136,000. Salary is determined based on job responsibilities and other factors determined by law. For purposes of internal equity, Dēmos will not negotiate salaries outside of this posted range. Dēmos has a generous benefits package, which includes health insurance, dental and vision insurance, 11 paid holidays, 18 vacation days per year, 5 floating holidays per year, 12 sick days per year, paid time off the last week of August, and Dec. 24 – through the first week of January, and a voluntary 403b plan. 

How to Apply: Please upload a concise, thoughtful cover letter and resume that speaks to how your experience and skillset meet the qualifications for this role. 

We are looking for an immediate hire so applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.  No phone calls or emails please.   

Dēmos is an Equal Opportunity Employer--people of color, people with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.  We are committed to a diverse workplace, and to supporting our staff with ongoing career development opportunities.