Purpose: 

The Communication Department of Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Planned Parenthood Action Fund seeks a National Director, Advocacy Communications. Reporting to the Vice President Communications & Culture , this role will lead PPFA’s federal and state advocacy communications efforts and Planned Parenthood Action Fund and Planned Parenthood Votes’ advocacy and electoral communications. The position will provide high-level leadership and strategic direction for the communications department. The chosen candidate must have deep knowledge of the national and state media landscape, bring and maintain networks and media relationships, be detail-oriented, work well independently, and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. This position has at least one direct report–the full team managed is at least seven people.

Responsibilities

Delivery: 

• Provide strategic leadership for PPFA’s federal advocacy communications team (three staff members) and state advocacy communications @team (four staff members), to ensure communications strategies and plans are robust, well-resourced & coordinated, aligned and achieving the organization’s goals.
• Lead the federal and state communications teams to develop communications plans and strategies that advance and promote Planned Parenthood’s brand as a leading advocate for sexual and reproductive health care and rights. Ensure communications strategies fulfill organizational goals and objectives.
• Lead and execute electoral strategy for either Planned Parenthood Action Fund and/or Planned Parenthood Votes.
• Work with other senior leaders in the Communications & Culture leadership team, develop and execute strategic multi-faceted communications campaigns, ensuring communications strategy is aligned with brand marketing, health care, education, and advocacy campaigns.
• Lead communications strategic communications and messaging for PPFA, PPAF and PPV’s advocacy communications materials for federation-wide use.
• Serve as the point of contact for coalitions and high-level partners in the advocacy and electoral space.
• Maintain high-level media contacts, pitch reporters and arrange interviews and stories.
• Oversee reporting and report-outs for the federal and state teams.

Engagement: 

• Experienced manager and coach
• Seasoned communications strategist who is able to work with leaders across PPFA & PPAF’s departments and divisions to ensure communications strategies reflect the organization’s high-quality work and goals
• Collaborate and build relationships with key partners, stakeholders, elected officials, and campaigns
• Provide high-level strategic communications thinking and advice to the organization and team members
• Demonstrated ability to develop strategic communications plans that are ambitious and achievable, deepen public understanding/awareness about critical issues, and promote Planned Parenthood’s brand and mission
• Exceptional strategic sensibility, including the ability to develop effective messaging that brings together consumer, brand, policy, political, and opposition lenses
• Exceptional judgment and ability to handle rapid-response scenarios under pressure

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

• At least 12-15 years of directly related experience, including management experience
• Superb writing and editing skills
• Strong project management skills
• Demonstrated ability to work with a wide range of people and manage people’s work without supervising them directly
• Commitment and track record of advancing racial equity in both operations and communications
• Fluent with racial equity and committed to promoting it through the work
• Excellent people management skills, ensuring staff are meeting goals and objectives in a sustainable way and growing professionally
• Commitment to PPFA’s mission and diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Experience managing a high-profile principal