The Press Secretary, Spanish Language is a regular, full-time position that reports to the Communications Director and is based in Washington, DC. The Press Secretary, Spanish Language is part of a team of specialized Press Secretaries whose workload is focused on assisting the Communications Director in aggressively ensuring HRC’s messages are placed in all forms of news media. All of the Press Secretaries offer strategic guidance and detailed execution of plans in their area of specialty as well as plan and implement long and short-term communications campaigns. This work is done through, but not limited to, responding to media inquiries, proactively pitching stories and editorials, and developing salient and creative messages.
Position Responsibilities:
The Press Secretary, Spanish Language will provide communications and media expertise focusing on Spanish language press in the United States. This includes building relationships with key members of the media, representing the organization in Spanish language media and placing other Spanish speaking spokespersons. While most activities will focus on that area, the Press Secretary, Spanish Language should expect to be involved in all areas of HRC’s work as needed. Specific duties of the position are as follows:
Earned media planning and execution: The Press Secretary, Spanish Language must possess an entrepreneurial spirit for proactively seeking out news opportunities and creative placement strategies as part of short- and long-term planning in coordination with the Communications Director.
Effective media relations and tactics: Develop tactics to effectively and successfully pitch the placement of stories, including ensuring HRC’s placement in breaking news. A keen understanding of the media landscape to include traditional and online media and how that space is evolving is crucial. Additionally, a thorough understanding of LGBT media is important.
Producing outstanding written materials: Excellent writing skills, including the ability to write press releases, media advisories, talking points, speeches, opinion pieces, web content, and other materials in Spanish is essential. The candidate should be able to synthesize research into appropriate messaging.
Other Responsibilities: In addition the Press Secretary, Spanish Language should expect to:
Build and maintain relationships with key reporters, editors and producers in print, online, television and radio;
Act as an on-the-record and background source as necessary;
Work with and coach spokespersons on effective interaction with press;
Manage and execute events such as press conferences, media availabilities and editorial board meetings;
Research various issues in order to service media requests; and
Other duties as assigned.
Position Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree is required with at least seven or more years of work experience in media relations with a preference for advocacy/political communications;
Outstanding verbal communications skills and writing talent in both Spanish and English;
Fluency in both written and verbal Spanish;
Demonstrated experience with successfully placing print and electronic stories, op-eds and ensuring that an organization’s message is placed in reactive stories;
Experience in tailoring messaging to Spanish-speaking audiences;
Experience as an on-camera spokesperson;
Familiarity with and contacts in both U.S.-based Spanish language media are required;
Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines with fanatical attention to detail;
Willingness and ability to respond to breaking news, often outside the workday;
Comfort working in a high-volume environment and ability to closely follow the messaging of the organization on a wide variety of issues;
Computer and internet proficiency; and
Background or experience with LGBT rights and issues and American politics is important.