How much do you love the internet and all its opportunities? Want to learn more about broadband – how it works, who are the key players, what are the biggest challenges, and where we go from here? Are you interested in building media strategies to achieve goals and working closely with subject matter experts and reporters to tell the right story? Look no further than the Director of Communications role at USTelecom!
USTelecom is the leading voice of the broadband innovation industry. Our members are committed to building the networks that connect communities everywhere to the power and promise of high-speed internet, and to deploying the transformative new services and technologies they enable. The association’s mission is to advance broadband’s future and deliver bottom-line results for our members, promoting a policy environment that fosters innovation, connects communities, encourages investment, buoys economic growth, and creates business opportunity and success for our industry, our affiliates, our partners, and the diverse communities and customers they serve. Working with some of the world’s most dynamic and forward-looking companies – urban and rural, publicly traded and privately held – we are leading the national technology and innovation conversation, and redefining policy advocacy for the 21st century. Join us!
Job Description:
The Director of Communications will join a fun, creative, and passionate team that strategically works to advance the association’s goals around the future of connectivity. The director will be highly motivated, super curious, an excellent writer, well-organized, proactive, and flexible, with the ability to work simultaneously on various complex matters. You will also regularly engage with our members, partners, the press, and other stakeholders to advance USTelecom’s work. If you’re a go-getter interested in using your communications and marketing expertise to make an impact, we want to see your application!
Responsibilities:
- Develop and execute strategic communications plans to effectively influence core audiences, including members, the media, and policymakers
- Respond to media inquiries on issues ranging from cybersecurity, congressional legislation, FCC votes, artificial intelligence, and broader internet policy issues
- Draft accessible and effective op-eds, statements, press releases, newsletters and website materials that effectively promote the value of broadband connectivity across America to audiences across the policy spectrum
- Develop and maintain relationships with technology policy and other beat reporters at the national, regional, and local levels
- Proactively pitch reporters on key policy and storytelling initiatives, including for podcasts and other media
- Monitor media mentions of USTelecom, broadband-related policy issues, and key stakeholders to remain apprised of the general narratives in and around the broadband industry
- Draft briefing memos, talking points, scripts and internal communications to share knowledge within the organization, propose new strategies, and provide key insights
- Regularly track and share key performance indicators from the team’s earned media and brief senior leadership on outcomes and deliverables
- Prep and staff senior-level principals for media interviews with print and broadcast journalists, podcasters, and influencers
- Engage regularly with our members, partners, and other stakeholders to advance USTelecom’s agenda
- Promote the role of USTelecom members in advancing connectivity across America in local and regional outlets
Qualifications:
- 5-7 years of experience working on technology policy issues in government, on Capitol Hill, in a newsroom, agency, or a trade association
- Exceptional written and verbal skills
- Ability to simplify complex messages with an emphasis on creating narratives and telling stories that move and inspire
- Experienced writer and editor, including news releases, opinion pieces, letters to the editor, blogs, and short-form digital communications
- Established relationships with tech, telecom, or political reporters, and/or the ability to make and maintain those relationships
- Experience with media monitoring software such as Cision, Meltwater, SproutSocial, or others
- Experience with identifying and tracking key performance indicators for communication and public affairs campaigns
- Innovative, organized, and self-motivated with a keen interest in driving strategic messages
- Meticulous attention to detail
- Proven ability to develop content on short timelines and to work independently
- Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to jump in to help with social media content creation (video editing skills a bonus)
- Ability to make puns at the drop of a hat (welcomed and encouraged)
USTelecom offers a competitive salary, a generous benefits package, a collaborative and fun work environment, and a Metro-accessible location. Communications department employees work in a hybrid setting with the ability to work from home two days/week.
Interested candidates should submit a detailed resume, cover letter and two writing samples to hr@ustelecom.org with “DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS” in the subject line. Please include as one of the writing samples a new essay no less than 250 words about the importance of connectivity in your life. Show us what you’ve got! The other writing sample can be a prior opinion piece, communications plan, or blog. And while AI is great, please don’t submit AI-generated pieces – we want to learn about your point of view.
No phone calls please.
EOE/M/F/D/V