Manager, Affiliate Communications

Job Description

Job Description

Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is the national umbrella organization for the nation’s leading network of women’s health care providers, educators, and advocates, serving women, men, teens and families. Planned Parenthood Action Fund is the advocacy and political arm of PPFA. For over 100 years, Planned Parenthood has done more than any other organization in the United States to improve women’s health and safety, prevent unintended pregnancies, and advance the right and ability of individuals and families to make informed and responsible health care decisions. Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and Planned Parenthood Action Fund (PPAF) seek a Manager of Affiliate Communications. This job reports to the Senior Director of Health & Affiliate Communications in the Communications and Culture division of PPFA. The communications department provides all of the external media, press, and messaging work for the organization and Planned Parenthood affiliates.

Purpose:

The Manager, Affiliate Communications will be responsible for supporting affiliate communications work, including developing and implementing communications strategies to elevate Planned Parenthood’s health care delivery in health centers across the country, education programs and outreach, and providing guidance and strategy for crisis communications. This role will collaborate closely with Planned Parenthood affiliates as well as departments across the Communications & Culture division, including Brand, Research & Insights, Content Innovation, and other Communications teams, to deliver expert media and messaging trainings and workshops; crisis communications and rapid response assistance; and support of affiliates’ execution of 360 communications campaigns. 

The person in this role will be responsible for driving strategy to elevate the profiles of affiliate spokespeople — including providers, educators, patient storytellers, and more — in national media; training spokespeople in media and message guidance; strategically responding to breaking news; helping formulate strategic plans and initiatives to better support affiliate communications staff; and providing materials, guidance, and executing work in support of affiliates. 

The person in this role will also work closely with PPFA’s Global Safety & Security, Care & Access, and Advocacy Research teams to help monitor and assess threats to the Planned Parenthood brand and support affiliates in their responses. 

Delivery:

• Support, advise, and execute work in support of Planned Parenthood affiliates as they implement communications strategies to advance access to sexual and reproductive health care services and education programs, and promote health equity. 
• Manage monthly affiliate communications calls, as well as affiliate media staff and senior affiliate communications staff listservs.
• Scope, create, and conduct regular and timely messaging trainings and workshop series for national and affiliate staff members, including outreach and collaboration with subject matter experts from other teams. 
• Work closely with Global Safety & Security (GSS), Advocacy Research, Health Care Operations, and Litigation & Law teams to monitor and assess threats related to safety and security, health care delivery, staffing, and operations.
• Develop messages and communications strategies to protect Planned Parenthood’s brand and reputation amid ongoing challenges.
• Collaborate with Data Strategy & Analytics (DSAG) and Health Care Operations teams to regularly synthesize affiliate data for use in communications materials and media outreach. 
• Provide affiliates with expert guidance and feedback on crisis communications plans, responses, and materials, as well as support reactive rapid response to breaking news.
• Manage and promote the Affiliate Communications Space on the Intranet, including contributions from other CNC departments. 
• Coordinate with PPFA Communications, Brand, Research & Insights, and Content Innovation staff to develop and execute strategic 360 communications plans to promote Planned Parenthood affiliates’ work as a trusted provider of sexual and reproductive health care, health information, and sex education.
• Draft various communications materials, including press releases, advisories, talking points, letters to the editor, op-eds, fact sheets, and briefings. 
• Prep and staff spokespeople as needed.
• Coordinate with relevant PPFA departments to ensure that communications strategies and materials reflect Planned Parenthood brand and voice.
• Contribute to reports for management, as necessary or requested, to track and highlight team accomplishments.
• Help lead brainstorming sessions and proactively identify opportunities to strengthen affiliate communications work. 
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with key media contacts. 
• Complete special projects as assigned.

Engagement:

This position requires building and/or maintaining relationships with all levels of national and affiliate staff, journalists, and other entities. The person in this role will:

• Be collaborative and able to work with leaders across departments and divisions to ensure media strategies reflecting Planned Parenthood's high-quality work and goals.
• Build relationships with key affiliate staff, including principal spokespeople, senior leadership, board members, and other stakeholders.
• Have the expertise to provide strategic thinking and advice on media strategies to affiliates, organization and team members.
• Maintain a commitment to health equity, and be able to draft, edit, and review materials from a strong racial equity lens. 
• Exercise exceptional judgment and ability to handle rapid-response scenarios calmly under pressure.
• Serve as an internal consultant to teams across the Federation on strategy and language, to ensure projects communicate appropriately and authentically on sexual and reproductive health issues.
• Work closely and cross-divisionally with national and affiliate staff to respond to crisis scenarios and rapid response news. 
• Be a team player with a positive attitude, and be able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and remain calm under pressure.
• Be a smart and confident leader with an informed opinion and strategic approach.
• Help implement the long-term plan for the Health & Affiliate Communications team by assisting with the workflow, and identifying key stakeholders, goals, and key performance indicators (KPIs). 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

• At least four years of experience working in communications; strong understanding of media outlets, reporters, and partner organizations.
• Excellent communication skills, experience leading media strategy, and history of communicating and working with multicultural audiences. 
• Deep familiarity with Planned Parenthood’s mission and work. 
• Demonstrated ability to write and edit proficiently and quickly, including the ability to understand and communicate about complex, technical, or sensitive subjects in a clear, concise, and engaging manner. 
• Strong understanding of sexual and reproductive health issues. A nuanced understanding of reproductive justice is strongly preferred. 
• Spokesperson and media training experience. 
• Proven knowledge of media trends, and strong sense of the operations of the news media (print, online, blogs, radio, and broadcast), including how to generate favorable traction in the media. 
• Ability to juggle multiple projects and deadlines successfully.
• Energetic, creative, innovative approach, with a desire to develop new ideas and solutions and bring them to life.

TRAVEL : 15-25%

NY or DC-based 

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 is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, customer focus, and innovation.