Job Description
Summary:
Leads the team responsible for promoting multiple organizational priorities, with a special focus on consumer and entertainment initiatives. Supports the Senior Vice President in managing the daily operations of the department.
Responsibilities:
- Maintains an in-depth knowledge of AARP’s enterprise-wide strategic goals, anticipating and addressing opportunities and issues as they arise.
- Ensures that the vision, strategic oversight, and plans are in place to launch and sustain all work within the position’s authority.
- Protects and advances AARP’s reputation and brand.
- Supports the CEO’s executive positioning and drives the public narrative around AARP’s commitment to and work in innovation, positive aging, and multi-culturalism.
- Oversees the development of external relations strategy for AARP affiliates, including the AARP Foundation and AARP Services, Inc. to ensure consistency and raise awareness of products and services.
- Provides overall direction for the department’s editorial calendar to help ensure coordination of AARP’s public narrative and work.
- Develops and manages external relations RFPs and SOWs and directs the work of external agencies and consultants.
- Works with the Senior Vice President to implement departmental policies and procedures.
- Manages day-to-day functions, including staff management, team development, ally development, budget forecasting, vendor procurement, and strategic planning.
- Serves as a senior external relations contact for internal business units and state offices.
- Works with Brand and Editorial teams to negotiate and develop external relations/media partnerships.
Requirements:
- Completion of a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Political Science, or a related discipline (Master’s degree or post-graduate work preferred) and 10+ years’ experience as a communications professional.
- Experience working with a mission-driven, advocacy organization.
- Previous public relations agency experience or the equivalent within a major corporation or organization.
- Ability to work effectively and calmly in a fast-paced, diverse, high-pressure environment.
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain successful relationships with national, regional, and local media, partner organizations, and influencers.
- Ability to provide leadership, strategic focus, and management oversight for external outreach and engagement across platforms.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to motivate team members and colleagues.
- Demonstrated success in marketing, communications, legislative, or campaign-related grassroots development, public affairs, public relations, or branding.
- Must have demonstrated experience providing leadership and management oversight for large external relations teams.
- Candidates being considered for this role must be willing to complete a writing assessment.
Occupations
Investor and Public-Media Relations, Journalism
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