Associate Director, Strategic Communications

Job Description

Job Description

Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. Planned Parenthood organizations serve all people with care and compassion, with respect, and without judgment, striving to create equitable access to health care. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives. 

Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the independently incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates, which operate non-profit health centers across the U.S. PPFA also works to educate the public on and advocate for issues of sexual and reproductive health. Formed as the advocacy arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Planned Parenthood Action Fund is a separate non-profit membership organization tax-exempt under section 501(c)(4). The Action Fund engages in educational, advocacy, and limited electoral activity, including grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and voter education in furtherance of the Planned Parenthood mission.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and Planned Parenthood Action Fund (PPAF) seek a dynamic and passionate Associate Director of Strategic Communications. This position reports to the Director of Health and Affiliate Communications in the External Affairs division of PPFA. The Communications team provides strategic communications guidance, support, and tactics to PPFA, PPAF, and Planned Parenthood affiliates. 

Associate Director, Strategic Communications will support the organization’s communications efforts in support of the ‘I’m For’ and ‘I Fight For’ campaigns, helping design and drive strategy around communicating the story of legislative and legal attacks on Planned Parenthood health centers, devising and executing messaging and media strategies to proactively elevate Planned Parenthood’s role as an essential health care provider in communities across the country. 

The Associate Director is also responsible for creating and executing communications plans, providing strategic communications advice to Planned Parenthood affiliates and external partners, producing and reviewing communications materials, and building a proactive communications strategy for expanding media outreach to protect and strengthen Planned Parenthood’s brand as an expert provider and protect its reputation from risk. 

This role will work closely with multiple departments and teams, including organizing; campaigns, research and policy; care and access; digital strategy; content, culture, and events; strategic partnerships; and litigation and law to collaboratively accomplish desired goals including delivering on the I’m For and I Fight For campaign goals. The Associate Director will help create and deliver communications products to drive PP impact stories, identify and train spokespeople, and ensure consistency of messaging across teams This role will also serve as one of the organization’s lead points of contact for members of the media. 

Delivery :

• Provide strategic communications guidance and resources to Planned Parenthood affiliates, as they implement communications strategies to advance access to sexual and reproductive health care and protect Planned Parenthood against legislative and legal attacks.
• Proactively communicate on affiliates’ innovative strategies to provide care, and devise communications strategies to fight back against future legislative attacks on the organization
• Help develop and execute media campaigns and strategies to su pport the team in shap ing the media narrative in support of Planned Parenthood’s c ampaign priorities and goals.  
• Draft and review various press releases, statements, advisories, op-ed pieces, talking points, briefing notes, message guidance, fact sheets, and other material that support media relations efforts.
• Proactively pitch media at the state and national levels.
• Build and manage relationships with new media outlets and entities to drive proactive outreach.
• Serve as a media relations point person, handling day-to-day media relations, including pitching, media monitoring, material development, etc., on a wide range of Planned Parenthood issues.
• Provide affiliates with expert guidance and feedback on crisis communications plans, responses, and materials, as well as support reactive rapid response to breaking news. 
• Conduct media and message trainings for affiliate spokespeople and other staff.
• Help lead brainstorming sessions and proactively identify opportunities to strengthen campaign communications work.
• Performs other duties as assigned .

• 5 years of media experience, preferably working directly with regional and national media, including reporters, producers, writers, and new media, with a demonstrated ability to pitch and land stories.
• High school diploma or equivalency with 2-3 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor’s Degree.
• Excellent communication (written & verbal) skills.
• High attention to detail and general curiosity. 
• Spanish language proficiency preferred.
• An understanding of the reproductive rights, health, and justice landscape strongly preferred.
• Must write and edit proficiently and quickly, and must be motivated and a self-starter with a proven track record of meeting deadlines and deliverables with quick turnarounds.
• Knowledge of communicating with diverse groups, working with a multicultural workforce, and sensitivity and appreciation of cultural differences is required. 
• Must be a team player and remain calm under pressure.
• Strongly committed to the mission of Planned Parenthood.

Travel: 0-15% domestic 

The Planned Parenthood cultural ethos, "In This Together", reflects our commitment to building a workplace culture that fosters belonging, promotes learning throughout the employee lifecycle, and recognizes individual contributions to our mission.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America participates in the E-Verify program. Planned Parenthood Federation of America is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a non-discriminatory work environment, and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.  Planned Parenthood Federation of America is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, customer focus, and innovation.