Associate Director of Communications

Working at PVA provides the opportunity to join a diverse and passionate team of individuals committed to improving the lives of veterans, specifically the lives of veterans with spinal cord injuries and disease and their caregivers.

At PVA, our employees know they are making a difference every day. Our unique backgrounds and cultures blend together to help us fulfill PVA's mission. So, whether you're at our National Office in Washington, D.C., or one of our several service offices across the country, you have the benefit of knowing that everything you do is part of PVA's effort to help our veterans. Join us and make a difference!

Job Title: Associate Director of Communications

Reports To: Director of Communications and Marketing


Position Overview: The Associate Director of Communications will serve as an account lead for several PVA programs (like Sports & Recreation, Veterans Career Program, Education & Research, Veterans Benefits, Medical Services, MS/ALS/SCI-D, or others). A highly motivated, well-organized, communicative self-starter, this Associate Director will work with PVA's Director of Communications and Marketing, as well as with leadership, staff, partners, members, and vendors to provide expertise, strategies, and support to build exposure for PVA's mission and programming. We are looking for a talented Associate Director of Communications who is not only passionate about helping paralyzed Veterans and but is also innovative in their ideas and a team player.

Position responsibilities and duties:

• Serve as a project lead on all assigned departments, including attending all departmental meetings and reporting out on any important items impacting the Comms team or leadership, being responsive to all departmental requests, and following through on all tasks

• Proactively develop media and public relations materials, including written collateral like, communications plans (complete with timelines), recap reports, monthly metric reports, news releases, magazine/newsletter articles, media pitches, fact sheets, talking points, quotes, speeches, as well as occasional assistance with audio-visual materials like sizzle reels, video promos, and highlight videos.
• Assist with writing opinion pieces and letters to editors when called upon.
• Establish, manage, and maintain media lists impacting your accounts/departments.
• In collaboration with the team, assist in the managing the development and execution of PVA's annual report from concept to delivery.
• Assist with the planning and coordination of select photography efforts (to include crafting shot list, etc).
• Develop, analyze, and present monthly media metrics to show media and public relations efforts.
• Serve as a lead PVA media relations rep to relevant PVA departments, chapters, and staff.
• Provide public relations outreach for annual and special programming events, as well as annual contests.
• Provide public relations support at annual meetings and special events.
• Develop story ideas to promote PVA programs on the website (as a collaborative effort), as well as in an annual report, PN magazine, national Communications initiatives, and more.
• Manage requests from media, public, external parties, and staff; (and as necessary), handle inquiries and referrals to appropriate PVA departments or external parties.
• Manage, along with the Director of Communications and Marketing, all relevant vendor and contractor selections and select RFPs for special projects, including the distribution of vendor contracts as needed.
• Manage and oversee all relevant vendors, freelancers, and interns when required.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Marketing and Communications.
• Assist the Director of Communications and Marketing with other tasks, as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 5-7 years of media and public relations experience.
• Proven experience working with members of the media
• Strong project management skills, with experience managing multiple projects and leading individuals or groups in developing, implementing, and managing strategies, tactics, and projects.
• BS degree in Communications, Marketing, or a relevant field.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to work independently.
• Excellent proven written and oral communication skills.
• Previous supervisory and management experience required.
• Experience in budgeting and forecasting.
• Great at customer relations
• Excellent copywriting skills
• Analytical and multi-tasking skills
• Minimal travel required to support events and initiatives.

Top Perks and Benefits:

• Hybrid work schedule: Working 2 days in the office and 3 days remotely.
• Employer-Paid Benefits - Employer-paid benefits like Medical Insurance, Basic Life Insurance, and Long-term Disability.
• Healthcare Insurance - Affordable Medical, Vision, and Dental options for team members and their families.
• Optional Insurance - Including Accident, Critical Illness, Short-Term Disability, and more.
• 401k Match-401k retirement savings plan with a guaranteed employer contribution and matching option.
• Tuition Reimbursement - We empower our team to be the very best they can be by offering a competitive reimbursement plan for education related to your role .
• Work-Life Balance - We honor 14 paid holidays, vacation leave starting at 15 days per year, and sick leave with no limit on the amount to be accrued.
• Additional Benefits - Health Savings Account with an employer contribution, Parking & Transit Spending Accounts, Flexible Spending Accounts, TicketsAtWork Membership, and more!