Potomac Flacks

JOB OF THE WEEK: C2ES, Communications Manager

The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES), formerly the Pew Center on Global Climate Change, seeks a highly qualified and experienced Communications Manager to manage key communications functions, including media relations and in-house writing.

The ideal candidate for this position will demonstrate a commitment to C2ES’s mission and have at least 5-6 years’ communications experience, preferably in Washington and/or on environmental/energy issues.

TO APPLY: Visit -- http://www.c2es.org/about/career-opportunities/communications-manager (PF tipster)

JOB OF THE WEEK: First Book, Vice President of Marketing

First Book, a national nonprofit that provides new books to kids in need, is looking for a Vice President of Marketing.  First Book is growing, has an amazing mission, and is filled to brim with awesome people.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Vice President of Marketing will be a member of First Book’s Senior Team and will collaborate with its operating groups to create and implement an innovative and integrated marketing strategy that builds and distinguishes the First Book brand and enhances interaction with its diverse audiences: media, public and private stakeholders including corporate sector representatives, volunteers, supporters/donors, book recipient groups and staff. The VP will be responsible for:

• Developing and implementing First Book branding strategy; shaping media outreach strategies to promote First Book and its corporate partner and subsidiary program campaigns, including pitching story ideas, writing and editing press releases and media alerts, building and maintaining press relationships and developing systems for tracking and organizing relevant coverage
• Developing content for and providing input into the strategic direction of First Book’s Web site and online marketing initiatives, including social media
• Overseeing the content and design of e-newsletters and printed materials, both internal and external
• Supervising the Communications staff, as well as leading cross-departmental teams for specific projects and initiatives
• Managing marketing, communication, and public relation projects as needed

Ideal Candidate Profile: 

Ideal candidates will be highly skilled marketing professionals who are drawn to First Book’s mission and have a private sector head and a public sector heart. Applicants must be adept at addressing diverse audiences and needs -- from Board members to local programs that receive First Book resources. Specific requirements include:

• Proven experience in marketing leadership in at least two different organizations, preferably with experience in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors
• Track record of innovative, entrepreneurial activity in a public or private arena
• Proven management savvy with strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent computer skills, including familiarity with a wide range of communication related software (Marketwire’s Media Hub, Meltwater News and CSRwire) and experience in working with Web sites and Internet based campaigns. Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are used daily along with organizational database systems
• Must have an “in the trenches” mentality, ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, and a collegial style
• Must exude passion, confidence, and integrity
• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or Masters degree is desirable

TO APPLY:  Candidates are invited to submit a resume and a cover letter to jobs@firstbook.org - please be sure to put Marketing VP in the subject line of your email. No phone calls please. (PF tipster)

JOB OF THE WEEK: Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Senior Vice President of Communications and External Relations

One of the nation's premier non-profits, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, is searching for a Senior Vice President of Communications & External Relations.

The job, based in Washington, D.C., includes being on the senior leadership team and running the communications division, while interacting with marketing, fundraising and local chapters. It's a top-tier job for a wonderful cause, with a highly competitive compensation package.

TO APPLY: If you have AT LEAST 15 years of experience in communications and you're highly creative and ready to work in an exciting, emotional and challenging field (fighting to end breast cancer), please send your resumes to svpcommunications@komen.org.  (PF tipster)

JOB OF THE WEEK: George W. Bush Presidential Center, Director of Communications and Marketing (Dallas, TX)

The George W. Bush Presidential Center (the Bush Center) is a dynamic hub of ideas, innovation, and action that includes: a presidential library to preserve and present the history of the Bush presidency; a unique physical and virtual presence to convene and connect neighbors and visitors from across the country and around the world; and an action oriented institute to develop practical and measurable solutions to challenging public problems. The Bush Center will officially open in the spring of 2013.

Reporting to the Managing Director of the Bush Center and serving as an integral member of the Bush Center Operations Team, the Director of Communications and Marketing is responsible for developing and managing all aspects of the Bush Center’s communications and marketing efforts across all areas of the Bush Center, including the Presidential Library and the Bush Institute. 

The Director of Communications and Marketing will contribute to the Bush Center’s strategic planning process and develop a world-class communications and marketing plan for the Bush Center, directly managing these activities to promote, enhance, and protect the organization’s reputation. The Director of Communications and Marketing is responsible for the development, integration, and implementation of a broad range of marketing and communications functions including: marketing (including reputation management), public relations, publishing, social media and web content, and internal communications. This individual will be a public representative of the Bush Center and will need to build and maintain strong relationships with the media, Bush Center partners, industry thought leaders, and community leaders.

The Director of Communications and Marketing is accountable for the design, planning, and production of all  integrated communications products across the Bush Center  including: printed marketing and fundraising materials and collateral; books, papers, articles, and other publications; co-marketing efforts with partners; websites and social media outlets; email newsletters, blogs, and other online communications; video programming; digital marketing and online fundraising; and media and public relations relationships, coverage, and placement.

Responsibilities

Strategy, Vision and Leadership

• Lead the marketing and communications team for the George W. Bush Presidential Center, including the George W. Bush Presidential Library and the George W. Bush Institute, as well as the activities supporting the construction, opening, and dedication of the Bush Center
• Craft and recommend to the leadership team an integrated strategic communications plan to advance the Bush Center’s reputation; broaden awareness of its programs and priorities; and increase the visibility of its programs across key stakeholder audiences including donors and prospective donors, supporters, and partners across all areas of the Bush Center
• Create a marketing/public relations strategy that will allow the Bush Center leadership team to cultivate and enhance meaningful relationships with targeted, high-level external audiences, including the media and key influencers
• Identify communication challenges and emerging issues faced by the organization. Work with the leadership team and staff to recognize internal and external communications opportunities and solutions, and define and execute appropriate strategies to support them
• Understand the organizations’ strategies and goals—Overall, Institute, Development, Library, Center—and support these efforts with a robust communication and marketing capacity
• Assess and characterize all Bush Center key audiences, understanding their profile, needs, preferred communications channels and customizing communications plans and strategies accordingly
• Serve as communications advisor by providing guidance and subject matter expertise to the Bush Center leadership team and contributing to the development of the organizations’ strategic plan, goals, and marketplace positioning 

Operations

• Oversee the teams that plan and produce all internal and external Bush Center communications:  Marketing, Social media, Public relations, Publishing, Video Production.
• Be accountable to a set of shared Bush Center goals, ensuring delivery of communications and marketing products and services that meet deadlines, contribute to overall results, and fulfill the overall communications plan
• Collaborate with all areas across the Bush Center to ensure smooth processes for the design and approval of all communications and marketing products and services
• Oversee relationships with all associated vendors
• Serve as spokesperson and lead point person on media interactions that help promote and/or impact the organization and actively engage, cultivate, and manage select press relationships
• Prioritize media opportunities, and counsel on the development of talking points, speeches, presentations, briefings and other supporting materials as needed
• Prioritize marketing activities and focus resources on deliverables that contribute to the promotion and extension of the organization’s reputation
• Lead efforts with Bush Center partners to develop and execute co-marketing plansEnsure consistent look and feel of all communication and marketing deliverables across all platforms while encouraging customization as needed to meet goals and serve variety of audiences
• Lead efforts with Bush Center content experts to develop publishing plans that help meet organizational goals
• Oversee the day-to-day activities of the communications function including budgeting, planning and staff recruitment and development
• Work with the Evaluation Director to define meaningful measures of communications and marketing success, including overall reputation indices, satisfaction scores from key audiences, and other indicators
• Lead the adoption of appropriate communication and marketing innovations, including digital technologies, member/friend databases, and other advancements to enable the Bush Center to work smarter and more productively 

Team Development and Management

• Recruit and manage a communications and marketing team to support the development and execution of the communications strategy
• Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality
• Mentor and develop staff using a supportive and collaborative approach on a consistent basis
• Establish and monitor staff performance and development goals, assign accountabilities, set objectives, establish priorities, and conduct performance appraisals 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, marketing or related field is required, and advanced degree is preferred
• 10 years of experience in a senior management role either in-house or with an agency.
• Demonstrated skill and comfort in a proactively building relationships with top tier reporters and editors, and in successfully positioning subject matter with the media to achieve high-impact placements
• Extensive successful writing and editing experience (externally focused) with a variety of print and online communications media
• Demonstrated experience and leadership in managing a comprehensive strategic communications, media relations, and marketing program to advance and organization’s mission and goals
• Creative and thoughtful on how new media technologies can be utilized
• Innovative thinker, with a track record for translating strategic thinking into action plans and output
• Successful track record creating effective communications and messaging for multiple audiences, including policy communications, broad consumer marketing, journal/media publications, and donor relations.
• Experience developing and managing multiple complex co-marketing relationships with partner organizations in the public, private, and NGO sectors
• Experience in building, mentoring, and coaching a team of communications specialists
• Excellent judgment and creative problem solving skills, including negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Superior management skills; ability to influence and engage direct and indirect reports and peers
• Stature, gravitas, and confidence to gain the credibility and respect of a high-performing leadership team, board of directors, and founders
• Self reliant, good problem solver, results oriented
• Ability to make decisions in a changing environment and anticipate future needs
• Excellent and persuasive communicator
• Energetic, flexible, collaborative and proactive; a team leader who can positively and productively impact both strategic and tactical finance, and administrative initiatives
• Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal and presentation skills and the ability to effectively interface with the leadership team, the board of directors, and the founders
• Ability to operate as an effective tactical and strategic thinker
• Passion for the mission of the Bush Center

In addition, the ideal candidate for this position will demonstrate: 

• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail and follow up
• A make-it-happen spirit and a collaborative, team-oriented style
• Ability to multi-process and balance demands of multiple priorities
• Proven ability to thrive in a team-based environment—sharing duties, pitching in to help, building trust, engaging in productive conflict, holding one another accountable
• Political savvy and discernment related to confidentiality
• Courteous and professional demeanor

TO APPLY: Please go to www.bushcenter.com and follow the instructions in the “Employment” link. The George W. Bush Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply for this position.  (PF reporting)

Longtime DNC Flack Sevugan Departs; DNC Hiring Two in Press Office

First reported in Politico’s “Playbook” by Mike Allen, longtime Democratic National Committee (DNC) National Press Secretary Hari Sevugan departed the DNC office on Friday.  He began at the DNC in March 2009 after serving as a senior spokesman on Barack Obama's presidential campaign in 2008.

Sevugan was previously Communications Director for Sen. Chris Dodd's (D-CT) presidential campaign, Communications Director for Martin O'Malley's (D-MD) 2006 gubernatorial campaign, Policy Director for Tim Kaine's (D-VA) 2005 gubernatorial campaign and Research Director for Dan Mongiardo's (D-KY) 2004 U.S. Senate campaign.

Sevugan is a native of Chicago and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champagne and a law degree from Northwestern University.

Sevugan has reportedly accepted a new job at Students First, the education reform advocacy group started by former DC Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee.  Sevugan will be Vice President of Communications.

Sevugan’s departure means that DNC Communications Director Brad Woodhouse has two openings to fill.  He is hiring to hire a National Press Secretary and a Deputy National Press Secretary, as Brandi Hoffine departed recently to lead communications for Tim Kaine’s U.S. Senate campaign.  (Politico’s “Playbook”)

Gov. O’Malley Press Secretary Adamec Leaving to Join City Year in Boston in June

After three years, Sean Adamec has announced that at the end of May he is stepping down as Press Secretary to Gov. Martin O’Malley (D-MD).  He and his wife decided to return to their native New England to “raise our two young boys, where they’ll be closer to their grandparents and extended family.”

In June Adamec will join City Year, an AmeriCorps organization dedicated to national service and ending the graduation crisis in America, as the new Vice President of Communications.  (PF tipster)

JOB OF THE WEEK: Heritage Foundation’s Center for Media and Public Policy, Investigative Journalist

The Heritage Foundation, through its Center for Media and Public Policy, is hiring an Investigative Journalist to conduct original reporting on policy issues.  The mission of the Center is changing to include a D.C.-based investigative reporter to join the Heritage team to help them become a leader in nonprofit journalism.

Full job posting here.

Here are a few highlights:

• Multitasking is essential for this position. Given the 24/7 news cycle, it’s no longer sufficient for an investigative reporter to spend weeks or even months on one story. Heritage is looking for a reporter who can consistently break news while also working on long-term investigative projects.

• Quality sources and solid research are essential. Heritage is seeking someone with a proven track record who can identify unique and interesting story ideas by combing through government documents and following up on story leads from Heritage’s policy experts.

• Reporters can’t be one-dimensional anymore. Over the past year, the Heritage Foundation has had great success with news-oriented videos on timely and relevant issues. They want to develop personal stories that communicate complex policy subjects.  (PF tipster)

JOB OF THE WEEK: Share Our Strength, Communications Manager

Share Our Strength, the nation’s leading organization working to end childhood hunger in the U.S. by 2015 through their national No Kid Hungry Campaign, is hiring a Communications Manager based in Washington, D.C. to support No Kid Hungry state partnerships across the country.

Share Our Strength and No Kid Hungry National Campaign Spokesperson Jeff Bridges are bringing together governors, mayors, corporate partners, community leaders, nonprofit organizations and government agencies to create private-public partnerships aimed at raising awareness about the 17 million children who face hunger in the U.S. and connecting children to important food and nutrition programs they need to live healthy, active lives.  Share Our Strength has launched 12 state and citywide campaigns and aims to launch five more in 2011.

The Communications Manager will be responsible for working with Share Our Strength policy, program and communications staff to create and implement communications strategies that support key state program and partnership objectives. The ideal candidate will have 5-7 years of agency or Hill public relations/issue communications experience and have a solid track record of securing media coverage and building integrated communications campaigns.

TO APPLY: Submit resume, cover letter and salary requirement to: jobs@strength.org.  Reference job title "Communications Manager, State Programs" in the subject line. No calls please.  (PF tipster)

JOB OF THE WEEK #2: First Book, Vice President of Marketing

First Book (www.firstbook.org and www.firstbookcanada.org), an award-winning social enterprise that has distributed more than 80 million new books and educational resources to children from low-income families, seeks a Vice President of Marketing. 

After a period of rapid growth, First Book is expanding its senior leadership team and hiring a small number of passionate leaders to be responsible for key elements of the organization’s growth and expansion strategy. 

The Vice President of Marketing will be a member of First Book’s Senior Team and will collaborate with its operating groups to create an innovative integrated marketing strategy for the organization.  This strategy should distinguish the First Book brand and enhance our interactions with diverse audiences: including the media, corporate partners, volunteers, donors, and First Book Recipient Groups.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: The Vice President of Marketing will be a member of First Book’s Senior Team and will collaborate with its operating groups to create and implement an innovative and integrated marketing strategy that builds and distinguishes the First Book brand and enhances interaction with its diverse audiences: media, public and private stakeholders including corporate sector representatives, volunteers, supporters/donors, book recipient groups and staff. The VP will be responsible for: 

• Developing and implementing First Book branding strategy; shaping media outreach strategies to promote First Book and its corporate partner and subsidiary program campaigns, including pitching story ideas, writing and editing press releases and media alerts, building and maintaining press relationships and developing systems for tracking and organizing relevant coverage.
• Developing content for and providing input into the strategic direction of, First Book’s Web site and online marketing initiatives, including social media.
• Overseeing the content and design of e-newsletters and printed materials, both internal and external.
• Supervising- the Communications staff, as well as leading cross-departmental teams for specific projects and initiatives.
• Managing marketing communication and public relation projects as needed. 

Qualifications: Ideal candidates will be highly skilled marketing professionals who are drawn to First Book’s mission and have a private sector head and a public sector heart. Applicants must be adept at addressing diverse audiences and needs -- from Board members to local programs that receive First Book resources. Specific requirements include:

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or Masters degree is desirable.
• Ten or more years experience in marketing leadership in at least two different organizations, preferably with experience in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors.
• Track record of innovative, entrepreneurial activity in a public or private arena.
• Proven management savvy with strong interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent computer skills, including familiarity with a wide range of communication related software (Marketwire’s Media Hub, Meltwater News and CSRwire) and experience in working with Web sites and Internet based campaigns. Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are used daily along with organizational database system.
• Must exude passion, confidence, and integrity.
• Must have an “in the trenches” mentality, ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, and a collegial style. 

TO APPLY:  Candidates are invited to submit a resume and a cover letter to jobs@firstbook.org.  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - please be sure to put Marketing VP in the subject line of your email. No phone calls please.  (PF tipster)