Silicon Valley Leadership Group

The Director of External Affairs and Communications plays a crucial role within SVLG’s Communications team and will be responsible for promoting the organization’s work to shape the future of the Innovation Economy. The Director will work closely with the Sr. VP of Communications to help shape messaging and push out narratives that are sticky in our idea marketplace and strategic in their impact.  Because of the nature of SVLG's work, the ideal candidate will be based in the SF Bay Area.  

You'll be responsible for developing and driving a robust content calendar highlighting SVLG’s policies, partnerships, and programmatic initiatives with external audiences across a variety of platforms and channels. This includes (but is not limited to) blogs, press releases/pitches, videos, multimedia graphics, and other materials. You will serve as the primary media contact, managing proactive media outreach as well as inbound requests.  Check us out here:  https://youtu.be/yHpRjmXXtSc

The ideal candidate has experience developing and implementing issue-based strategic communications plans that drive impact, strengthen brand recognition and increase stakeholder engagement. Someone with proven communication, social media, writing, and multimedia skills. Knowledge of regional Silicon Valley issues is a plus. As is an understanding of the industry’s public policy and business landscape. 

This position will require someone with a keen eye for detail and copy-editing, someone who is a self-starter and team player, and who can meet tight deadlines. Someone who can see the bigger picture and their part in it within a quickly transforming department being rebuilt from the ground up.  

Duties

• Content Creation: 
  • Work across the organization to find and tell stories across social media, video, blogs, and other channels that drive messaging and advance the organization’s business and policy priorities.
  • Develop, draft and edit high-quality content including press releases, media advisories, guest columns, articles, op-eds, video scripts, and other digital content
  • Assist with the creation and implementation and day-to-day management of a content calendar with a focus on expanding SVLG’s influence nationally while still representing our brand in Silicon Valley and California daily.
  • Edit, oversee and distribute multiple newsletters to member companies and policymakers.
• Media Relations
  • Manage and maintain the press relationships at the local, state and national level
  • Offer new, proactive ideas for expanding SVLG’s media footprint with the ability to generate and pitch new content ideas on a weekly and daily basis.
  • Develop talking points, briefing memos, and other materials for meetings between senior executives, reporters, and policymakers and help prep principals for media events with practice questions and feedback
• Other duties related to the Communications & Media Department as assigned and prioritized. 

 

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience working in communications on Capitol Hill, Sacramento, or for a political campaign, corporation, agency, or trade association. Media outlets on a full-time basis also considered.
• Strong multi-format writing ability.
• The ability to thrive in fast-paced and dynamic environments.
• Experience in preparing and executing recurring communications priorities such as press releases, newsletters, multimedia collateral, and other items,
• Strong strategic planning, analytical, and communication skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex and difficult information into readable, understandable and impactful messages.
• Experience with DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) communications is preferred.
• Existing relationships with traditional and digital media outlets a plus as is demonstrated success developing and managing those relationships.
• Experience with Cision, Meltwater, Muckrack, or similar database programs. 
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop), Canva, Final Cut Pro X, Pro Tools, or similar graphic design and video editing software are highly preferred.
• Experience with WordPress preferred.
• Must be able to work independently to initiate projects in coordination with the Sr. VP of Communications
• BA/BS in Public Relations, Communications, or any related field.  An equivalent combination of education, training, and hands-on experience and knowledge is acceptable.   

Please submit three writing samples and links to media content created along with your cover letter. 

Benefits:

SVLG provides full medical/dental benefits for the employee (with 10% employee contribution), 12 vacation days annually to start, paid sick leave, Life/ADD insurance, sabbatical, and 401k. 

 

The Silicon Valley Leadership Group recognizes that supporting diversity and inclusion is not just the right thing to do, it’s what makes our region, state, and member organizations among the most successful and innovative in the world.  By assembling a team of professionals from all backgrounds, gender identities, and life experiences we are better able to represent to needs of our member organizations as well as our colleagues and community partners.

 

Candidates will be required to certify they are vaccinated against COVID-19 upon commencing employment. Reasonable accommodations will be considered on a case-by-case basis for exemptions to this requirement in accordance with applicable law.