Communications & Media Relations Manager

Washington D.C., Seattle, WA, or Kirkland, WA

Founded in 2015 by Melinda French Gates, Pivotal expands opportunity and equality for all people through high-impact investments, philanthropy, partnerships, and advocacy. We accelerate social progress by removing barriers that hold people back.

We strive to be creative and innovative in our work and flexible in the approach we take to solving problems. To date, we have invested in over 150 organizations, including nonprofits, private sector companies, venture funds, and advocacy groups that are on the frontlines of the issues we work on. Some areas we currently focus on: women in technology and innovation; women in public office; women and girls of color; adolescent mental health; paid family and medical leave; and caregiving.  

Inspired by our founder, we reach across communities and sectors to bring together changemakers who can scale up proven ideas and catalyze new ones. We learn from their experiences, amplify their resources, then step back so they can lead.

Our impatience with the status quo is fueled by an optimism that progress is always possible.  

ROLE DESCRIPTION

The Communications and Media Relations Manager (“Manager”) is an integral member of the Pivotal Ventures team, playing a central role in elevating Pivotal’s voice and profile. The Manager ensures communications strategy and messaging alignment with internal stakeholders and a diverse range of external partners, including NGO and investment partners, consultants, contractors, agencies and support organizations. This role will produce communications outputs that target a range of audiences including stakeholders and public audiences to drive awareness and impact around the company’s mission.  

The Manager, will partner closely with Director, Communications & Media Relations to cultivate a strong, direct and trusted consultative relationship with the policy and advocacy team, setting strategy and advising on broader communications, media relations, messaging and staffing for a diverse set of communications events and media opportunities.

The Manager should be comfortable in a lean, flat, entrepreneurial organization that places a high premium on culture, collegiality, intellectual curiosity and collaboration. At the same time, this person must be comfortable handling many projects at once in a fast-paced, proactive environment, with a capacity for flexibility and a willingness to adapt.  

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Support the development and implementation of communications strategies—including a policy & advocacy media strategy—that advances Pivotal’s key priorities.  
• Support the development, coordination and execution of the broader media strategy for Pivotal focus areas across philanthropy, investment, policy and advocacy and strategic set by the Director, Communications & Media Relations.
• Act as a day-to-day communications thought and action partner for assigned program areas – including our policy and advocacy team – and provide strategic communications counsel to help inform their communications strategies and deliver on communications ambitions in innovative, effective ways.
• Lead development of narratives across Pivotal brand, programmatic and investment strategies and maintain internal and external communications materials including key stats, one-pagers, key messages.  
• Lead amplification and coordination of Partner announcements and communications efforts collaborating across programs and communications. 
• Build strong relationships with partners across the organization from a variety of backgrounds and teams in order to successfully complete the work.
• Build and maintain relationships with key reporters and outlets to source new opportunities and expand existing opportunities.  Secure media placements that increase the awareness of Pivotal, and our work.    
• Identify and secure thought leadership opportunities that advance the broader communications strategy; lead message preparation for key spokespeople around opportunities.
• Work in collaboration with Principal communications on programmatic opportunities for storytelling, social amplification and potential intersections.
• Coordinate with workstream leads across the communications team for social and digital implementation and measurement of programmatic communications strategies.
• Build and maintain relationships with external communications agencies to support the implementation of multi-platform communication strategies.
• Handle reactive media inquiries finding opportunities to mitigate risks and flag emerging issues, trends and breaking news.
• Manage ongoing requests and approvals through Salesforce (CRM) to use Pivotal’s name and brand in partner materials.
• Lead the development of quarterly metrics, analysis and socialization, including team-wide discussion on data and insights, with agency partners.    

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or behavior required to be successful in this role.

• Strong background working in public affairs and securing relevant media opportunities harnessing policy and advocacy leadership and projects.
• Knowledge of the policy and advocacy media landscape and key players and how to effectively communicate in both mainstream and digital media environments.
• Relationships with National and DC-based media focused on policy, advocacy, government affairs and philanthropy.
• Experience crafting communications strategies and plans across various priorities and audiences.
• Understanding of current events, cultural and geographical considerations, and how that impacts the media landscape.  
• Understanding of the online landscape and the intersections between earned, owned, and paid media.  
• Proven project management, time management and execution skills.  
• Strong interpersonal skills and proven ability to build rapport with key partners and move forward collaboratively on projects, securing support from internal stakeholders.   
• Self-starter with the ability to comfortably work both independently and as part of a team. 
• Experience collaborating with, and extracting value from, agency networks and contractors.

TEAM CULTURE

• Transparency and accountability: Contribute to team discussions and decisions by providing timely information and considered opinions in an open and welcoming environment. Embrace vulnerability and discomfort through direct communication to team members and key stakeholders.
• High performance: Demonstrate drive and a commitment to exemplary work that embodies creativity, avoids the pitfalls of perfectionism, and maintains a steady pace.
• Equity and belonging: Participate in work to advance our collective knowledge, understanding, and perspectives on equity and inequity in society, our company, and our team culture.
• Sense of humor: Take opportunities to laugh together and keep things in perspective at every opportunity.  
• Team growth: Help grow the communication team’s understanding of itself, its strategy, and its role within the organization. Be willing to question the status quo.  

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 7-9 years of experience in communications (public or private sector)
• 3 years of focused experience in policy and advocacy or public affairs communications
• Experience working with prominent national media outlets – policy, advocacy and international media experience is a plus.
  
• Experience drafting and implementing communications strategies and plans.
• Ability to travel (3-5 times per year; pending home base)

Base annual compensation range for this role is from $138,700 - $149,500.  

Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, long-term disability and long-term care insurance, fertility benefit, backup caregiving solution, 144 hours of vacation, 96 hours of sick leave, 401k, HSA, FSA, discretionary annual target performance bonus and more.

APPLICATION

To apply, send submit your application via the Pivotal Ventures Careers page.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Pivotal values diversity and is strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all employees and all applicants seeking employment. All employment decisions at Pivotal are based on the candidate’s or employee’s capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, age, national origin, citizenship, veteran, military, or marital status, sensory, physical, or mental disability, genetic information or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable law. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please contact peopleandculture@pivotalventures.org.

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