Director of Public Relations

TITLE: Director, Public Relations

LOCATION: Alexandria, Virginia

FLSA: Exempt

DIVISION: Communications & Brand

DEPARTMENT: Public Relations & Brand

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT:

No more than 25% to support events and PR needs.

HOURS and SCHEDULE:

Monday – Friday, 9:00am to 5:30pm. Ability to work nights and weekends as needed, as well as being on call on certain days.

REPORTS TO:

This position reports to the Vice President, Communications & Brand.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Supervises Public Relations Coordinator, Marketing, PR and Brand agency freelancers/partners, and overall operations of Public Relations and Brand activities within the Communications & Brand Division.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR PUBLIC CONTACT:

Daily contact requiring courtesy, discretion, and sound judgment.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION:

None

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Public Relations Director is responsible for directing and implementing NCMEC’s public relations and brand strategies. This position will engage target audiences and help boost brand awareness by spearheading public relations, with a focus on earned and paid media, editorial placements, and speaking opportunities for the nonprofit.

The ideal candidate is a strong leader and a disruptive marketing genius with a passion and track record of driving results and pushing boundaries. They have a strong rolodex of bookers at major news outlets, connections to major television networks and streaming services and relationships with influencers or their publishers and blogs. They are beyond excited to use these networks to increase NCMEC’s exposure and spread the message that every child deserves a safe childhood.

This position is responsible for keeping NCMEC on the forefront of current PR trends including earned and paid placement, social media and content marketing while collaborating with the Communications Director and team to advise and adjust the organization’s communications strategy to remain competitive while constantly growing the nonprofit’s audience. The PR Director is expected to create and execute a detailed PR plan that will help turn NCMEC into a household name.

The Public Relations Director will partner with the Director, Communications and Director, Digital Media to create a collaborative, forward-thinking environment to maximize

NCMEC’s brand presence as a leader in child protection, produce quality branded material, and assist with the creation of marketing materials that express our mission and build enthusiasm for the brand. They are responsible for maintaining the organization’s crisis PR strategies and response and for all corporate and partner-related communications and support.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop innovative and impactful proactive public relations campaigns for use across the organization.
• Pitch news stories and work with media outlets to publish timely information related to the NCMEC brand on various channels (earned media, TV, web, social, print, etc.).
• Cultivate new and expand existing relationships with media, news professionals and influencers.
• Write press releases and arrange press conferences to promote
• NCMEC brand, campaigns, and mission. Create, manage, and ensure brand consistency in all paid advertising efforts.
• Ideate and design PR events to increase awareness of child protection issues.
• Track and influence media coverage in collaboration with social team.
• Help inform social strategy through analysis of social media metrics. Act as primary point of contact for crisis PR.
• Work under pressure and at a fast pace when breaking news is happening.
• Work quickly and accurately on news in collaboration with the Communications and Digital Media teams.
• Act as a thought leader and participate in brainstorming and planning for NCMEC’s marketing channels.
• Write, edit, review, and publish engaging online content (blogs, social media, etc.).
• Build alliances with other nonprofit organizations, media and thought leaders working to advance efforts in child protection.
• Support senior leadership and Communications & Brand team to build a compelling brand presence across all external communication including media, conferences, industry events and other thought leadership opportunities.
• Promote and exhibit loyalty to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the cause of protecting children worldwide.
• Promote a professional image.
• Communicate with co-workers, management, Law Enforcement officials, and others in a courteous and professional manner.
• Conform with and abide by all regulations, policies, work procedures, and instructions.
• Respond promptly when returning telephone calls and replying to correspondence.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, or relevant field.
• Minimum 7 years’ work experience as a Public Relations Director, PR Manager, or similar role for a major brand, nonprofit or television show.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent communication, writing, and storytelling skills.
• Proven track record of earning media with top tier outlets.
• Experience engaging with Fortune 100 and 500 company’s PR and Corporate Social Responsibility teams.
• Experience writing and producing scripts for television/news/social media.
• Demonstrated connections to major media outlets.
• Excellent proficiency in social media channels.
• Superb organizational skills and ability to prioritize responsibilities.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed, which includes being on-call some weekdays and weekends.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
• Demonstrated word processing, spreadsheet, and database software proficiency.
• Adaptability, flexibility, and ability to work as part of a team or in an individual capacity.
• Ability to handle and maintain the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive material and information.
• Bilingual in Spanish is a plus.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children is an EEO employer M/F/Veteran/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children