Communications and Marketing Director

Updated February 20, 2008

Colorado Media Matters is a progressive, Colorado-based, research and information center dedicated to comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the Colorado media. We are looking for an enthusiastic, emerging professional in marketing and communications. This position will report to the organization's editorial director and other senior staff.

Responsibilities:

General Overview
Participate in marketing and communications strategy creation and execute day-to-day operations to support that strategy. Participate in daily meetings to plan the efforts for that day's content. Write background research, reports, and other materials as directed. Document major daily efforts for monitoring and evaluating success over time.

Media Relations
Draft press materials, such as media advisories, press releases, message points, and memos, and send to reporters as needed. Create and maintain press lists. Develop and retain relationships with reporters, contacting them on a regular basis. Oversee logistics for press events. Compile daily press clips and distribute to staff and targeted external recipients. Update ongoing status reports to track media relations initiatives and results.

Blogger Relations
Serve as the initial point of contact for bloggers and cultivate new partnerships. Maintain constant outreach to blogs, sending items of interest and receiving feedback. Develop and maintain general and targeted lists of blogs so that they can be contacted with Colorado Media Matters items of interest to them. Identify opportunities for on-the-record comments to blogs and recommend the proper staffer for comment. Monitor and prepare rapid-response reports on right-wing blogs, organizations, and propaganda arms. Compile and distribute a daily compendium of blog postings mentioning Colorado Media Matters research or staff.

External Affairs
Manage relationships with progressive leaders, decision-makers, interest groups, and elected officials and their staffs. Maintain regular contact and respond to requests. Create constituent-specific products. Work to get Colorado Media Matters items used by constituents. Work to develop co-branded events. Develop and manage ad hoc initiatives. When applicable, work on legislative issues of interest for Colorado Media Matters.

Qualifications:

A bachelor's degree and minimum two years of professional experience, preferably as a communications/marketing professional for an elected official, in a political/issue campaign, or for a public relations/affairs firm.

Discretion and complete regard for confidentiality. Commitment to the organization's values and to public-interest issues. Understanding of the landscape of Colorado progressives.

Excellent verbal, writing, and analytical skills. Ability to debate and speak persuasively in a charged atmosphere, and enthusiasm for the work. Ability to speak articulately with reporters on a variety of issues.

Ability to take initiative, function independently, and anticipate needs. Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills. Ability to prioritize and complete multiple, complex tasks in a skillful and timely fashion. Attention to accuracy and detail.

Must work well under pressure and under tight deadlines. Ideal candidate will demonstrate a good sense of humor and flexibility in dealing with unexpected challenges. Flexibility with schedule. Willingness to travel occasionally.

How to apply:

Please send a resume, cover letter, and salary requirements to co-job-marketcomm@mediamatters.org. Stimulating, challenging workplace. Excellent benefits. Salary commensurate with experience. We respond only to applicants with whom we plan to schedule an interview or if we require additional information; therefore, no phone calls, please.

Colorado Media Matters is a project of Media Matters for America.
Media Matters for America is an Equal Opportunity Employer.