Center Communications Manager, Public Policy Institute of California

Organization: Public Policy Institute of California

Position Title: Center Communications Manager

Location: San Francisco, California

Application Deadline: Rolling

Description: The Public Policy Institute of California is building capacity for a new water policy center and seeks an experienced communications professional to join the team. The communications manager will work with center and PPIC communications staff to develop and implement effective programs and products that expand the audience for PPIC’s water work. This position is based in San Francisco and reports jointly to the director of the PPIC Water Policy Center and PPIC’s vice president of communications.

Responsibilities:

• Work collaboratively with PPIC communications staff to ensure consistency with PPIC’s overall approach, including quality, messaging, and timing.
• Serve as primary liaison with the media on water issues. Cultivate and maintain strong media contacts. Respond to inquiries and proactively promote products and experts to traditional, new, and ethnic media.
• Work with water center research staff to develop publications that are high quality, timely, and accessible for our policy audience. Manage editorial and production processes—including outside vendors and consultants—for research products.
• Manage digital marketing efforts, including email campaigns and social media efforts. Develop and update content for water center web pages.
• Write, edit, proofread, or contribute to web features and summaries, commentaries or blog posts, grant proposals, corporate publications, invitations, talking points, and other items.
• Develop and revise briefings and presentations for water center researchers.
• Plan and manage briefings and other events. Create opportunities for PPIC experts to participate in events hosted by other organizations.
• Support institutional communications programs and participate in outreach and planning meetings with PPIC communications, research, and president’s office colleagues.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree plus a minimum of five years of experience in a communications and media-related function, ideally in a nonpartisan policy research setting
• Strong organizational and people skills to effectively manage key internal and external relationships
• Ability to synthesize complex research ideas and communicate them effectively to diverse policy audiences
• Proficiency in all levels of editing, from developmental to proofreading
• Superior written and verbal communications skills
• Project management experience. Ability to manage multiple tasks under strict deadlines and handle crisis situations
• Strong computer skills in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Adobe Acrobat, HTML, Dreamweaver, and Illustrator
• Experience in event planning (press conferences, forums) and media training
• Fluency in Spanish desirable

PPIC values the wide variety of backgrounds and experiences of our research staff, and key elements in the consideration of qualified candidates include excellence; diversity of talents, backgrounds, and viewpoints; and a strong fit with the institute’s mission, values, and goals.

How to Apply: Visit http://www.ppic.org/main/opportunities.asp

Applications will be considered as they are received, and the position will remain open until filled. Please tailor your cover letter to highlight how your credentials meet the qualifications listed above.