Press Secretary

Reports to: Chief of Communications

Location: Hybrid: Washington, D.C.

Status: Full-time, Salaried, Exempt

About Groundwork

Launched in 2018, Groundwork Collaborative is animated by the firm belief that We are the Economy. We know our economy will be stronger and more stable for all of us when all of us—especially Black, brown, disabled, immigrant, low-paid, women, and other historically marginalized people—are able to thrive. We believe truly progressive economic policy builds public power, breaks up concentrations of private power, and affirmatively centers people too long left out of prosperity, leading to better economic outcomes for everyone. 

We work with economic policy experts, progressive movement leaders, advocates, and other key stakeholders to advance this progressive economic worldview; collaborate and foster new ideas; and develop new, stronger avenues to work together for greater impact. We are committed to breaking down issue silos, supporting and amplifying our partners’ work, and showing up for and with a myriad of partners on critical economic issue campaigns.

Groundwork is looking for an experienced Press Secretary who will support Groundwork’s communications agenda, focusing on Groundwork’s media outreach strategies. This position will coordinate the organization’s media relations and press outreach efforts, craft press statements and other materials, strategize on research rollout plans and other announcements, and advise on our issue campaigns, messaging and editorial strategy.

The Press Secretary will also help promote the work and thought leadership of Groundwork’s leadership team and policy experts, including proactive pitching of experts as spokespeople on economic news of the day, providing interview prep and briefings, and building and maintaining relationships with relevant journalists, bookers, and producers. The Press Secretary will keep a finger on the pulse of economic and political conversations happening both in traditional media spaces as well as in new and alternative media in order to help plan and execute media strategies that will position Groundwork as a leading voice on the economy.

As a Press Secretary at Groundwork you will…

• Closely monitor the daily news cycle, identifying opportunities to position our experts as spokespeople and advance Groundwork’s worldview on the economy.
• Build and maintain relationships with relevant media, including journalists, editors, bookers, producers, and hosts, that cover Groundwork’s priority issues.
• Pitch stories and respond to press inquiries.
• Draft media relations materials, including press releases, media advisories, op-eds, letters to the editor, briefings, talking points, and messaging.
• Prepare briefing materials for staff interviews with the press.
• Oversee and manage Groundwork’s press lists via our media database (Cision) and other platforms as needed.
• Organize press-related events, including calls, conferences, and briefings.
• Support rapid-response communications efforts as needed, ensuring timely and strategic messaging.
• Collaborate with Groundwork’s Policy and Partnerships teams and external partners to identify opportunities to publicize organizational initiatives, activities, reports, and other content to drive press coverage.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

About you

• You are a seasoned media relations and communications operative with experience in generating high-level media coverage.
• You have strong relationships across the national media landscape with broadcast bookers and producers, correspondents, editors, and writers. 
• You have an ear for smart messaging and a knack for writing strong copy on a tight deadline.
• You are a news junkie who consumes an array of diverse news media on a daily basis.
• You understand how to navigate the new and alternative media space (e.g. content creators and influencers, podcasts, social platforms, etc.)
• You’re a pro at multitasking and working under tight deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• You’re a creative and innovative team player willing to try new approaches to solving old problems.
• You are detail oriented and organized.
• You have a proven ability to work collaboratively as part of a team. 
• You’re committed to a just, inclusive, and robust economy that delivers opportunity and dignity to all Americans.

In addition, it would be a bonus if…

• You’re familiar with the progressive economic policymaking community in Washington and the Hill.
• You have strong relationships in the new and alternative media space (e.g. content creators, influencer networks, podcast producers, etc.)
• You have served as a Press Secretary or Communications Director role in an organization, campaign, congressional or political office.
• You have a deep background or expertise in economic policy issues.

The salary range for this role is $97,000 - $134,000 annually. We offer a generous benefits package, including five weeks of vacation and personal leave, two week-long office closures, additional time off for floating and federal holidays, zero-premium health insurance, a generous HRA, a retirement match of up to 6%,12 weeks of paid parental leave with an option to take an additional 4 weeks unpaid, and health club and cell-phone reimbursements, among other benefits.

We are a hybrid workplace, with two days a week in the office and three days remote, as well as the occasional need to work in person for events and special projects.

Groundwork is a unionized workplace and is represented by the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU). This position is in the bargaining unit.

New Venture Fund Careers

Groundwork Collaborative is a project of the New Venture Fund, a 501(c)(3) public charity that incubates new and innovative public-interest projects and grant-making programs. The New Venture Fund is committed to attracting, developing and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding, and enables each of us to realize our potential. The New Venture Fund’s work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law in the locality and/or state in which you are working.

E-Verify

NVF participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with employees’ Form I-9 information to confirm authorization to work in the United States. Job candidates and employees authorized to work may not be discriminated against on the basis of national origin or citizenship status.