Arena Careers

We strongly encourage people of color, transgender and non-binary people to apply. HRC is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone, including non-LGBTQ+ people, to join our team. Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that people from marginalized communities are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At HRC, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Position Summary:

The National Press Secretary will serve as the primary national spokesperson for the organization (outside of HRC’s President), ensuring HRC’s message and narratives are featured prominently across national media channels. They will be expected to leverage strong existing relationships with key reporters and other influential media leaders, drive and manage rapid response functions (including developing messaging and managing rapid response efforts), and oversee the development of communications materials, especially related to HRC’s electoral and political efforts.

Reporting to the VP of Communications and serving on the Communications leadership team, they will bring experience in progressive advocacy, legislative and/or political work and have a passion for working in highly collaborative, fast-paced environments that require extensive coordination. The National Press Secretary must be able to maneuver communications challenges quickly, have strong political and media instincts, and demonstrate ability to make smart decisions in often urgent moments that require swift action.

This position is based in Washington, D.C. HRC is currently operating in a hybrid model, with employees in the office two (2) days a week and remote three (3) days a week. This role requires flexibility to work nontraditional hours during breaking news cycles and high-priority moments, as well as regular travel to HRC and partner events.

Position Responsibilities:

Organizational leadership: Spearhead HRC efforts on messaging strategy, media engagement, and rapid response under the direction of the VP of Communications. This includes serving as the chief national spokesperson for the organization (both on and off the record) outside of the President, on TV, print, podcasts, and more.

Earned media planning and execution: Seek out news opportunities and creative placement strategies as part of short- and long-term planning in coordination with the leadership of the Communications team; Manage and execute events such as press conferences, media availabilities and editorial board meetings

Build and maintain relationships with key reporters, editors and producers: Build strong relationships with print, online, television and emerging media journalists and leverage those relationships into coverage of HRC’s work. Identify opportunities for HRC to participate in ongoing conversations surrounding LGBTQ+ issues and to insert the LGBTQ+ perspective in broader national issues.

Produce outstanding written materials: Develop a variety of written materials including press releases, talking points, opinion pieces, web content, and other materials. Synthesize research into appropriate messaging.

Represent HRC’s communications priorities outside of the organization: Including in coalition work, working with external stakeholders, messengers, and other strategic communications partners.

Ensure organizational spokespeople are strategically positioned and prepped in media: Media train, prep, staff and travel with other HRC spokespeople, including the president, as needed, to set them up for success.

Position Qualifications

• At least eight or more years of work experience in media relations or communications in an electoral, government or political/advocacy organization.
• Extensive experience as an on the record spokesperson; experience as an on-camera spokesperson; enthusiasm for rapid response and political communications.
• Fluency, or professional working proficiency, in Spanish is a plus for public-facing communications or potential media engagement opportunities.
• Demonstrated experience with successfully placing print and online stories, op-eds and ensuring that an organization’s message is placed in reactive stories.
• Relationships with national political media.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, capable of handling multiple projects simultaneously in a high-volume, fast-paced environment
• Outstanding verbal and written communications skills.
• Experience mentoring younger talent and collaborating with cross-departmental colleagues
• Strong skills with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Experience leveraging social media as a part of a communications and spokesperson strategy a plus.
• Experience working closely with principles in an organization and prepping spokespeople
• Superb interpersonal skills, with an impressive history of forging strong and positive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Strong media instincts and excellent editorial judgment, including management of difficult decisions on whether/how to engage with a story.
• Willingness and ability to respond to breaking news, often outside the workday
• The ability to travel 20-25% of the time will be required, with more travel expected during peak political moments (such as the election). This may often include evening and weekend work.
• A background with, and understanding of, LGBTQ+ and progressive issues and a personal interest in and commitment to LGBTQ+ equality and progressive politics.

All positions at the Human Rights Campaign may require travel periodically. Where the need arises for business travel, appropriate compensation as outlined by the Fair Labor Standards Act will apply.

Employer is the Human Rights Campaign, Inc., an I.R.C. 501(c)(4) non-profit entity.

No phone calls or emails, please. Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to respond to queries about application status.