Department: Marketing, Events & Communications
Job Classification: Exempt

Summary: This member of the DRC Senior Team will report to the SVP of Marketing, Events & Communications and oversee media relations, writing, and editing. Media relations will include responding to the media’s inquiries, as well as proactively seeking opportunities to share the DRC’s priorities and accomplishments with a broad audience in the areas of Economic Development; Education and Workforce; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; and Public Policy. In addition, this executive will be the premiere writer for the DRC. They will supervise one other individual who also will have responsibilities for media relations, writing, and editing. We are seeking a person with proven media relations experience who also is an extraordinary writer, a strategic thinker, collaborative, and creative.

Duties and Responsibilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility. The duties and responsibilities include the following, though other duties may be assigned.

Media Relations:

• Serve as the DRC’s point of contact with the media and serve as a spokesperson when required.
• Build and maintain a trusted relationship with the media by exercising sound news judgment and being in constant touch.
• Proactively seek widespread and accurate media coverage of the DRC’s accomplishments and priorities.
• Handle all crisis communications needs as they arise.
• Monitor key media outlets daily for relevant stories about the DRC, or stories related to the DRC’s work in economic development; education and workforce; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and public policy.

Writing & Editing:

• Create, edit, and oversee all written communications for the CEO and DRC Chair (on DRC-related matters).
• Create, edit, and/or oversee written communications for Senior Team members as needed.
• Create, edit, and oversee DRC event remarks and scripts.
• Oversee editing of all materials generated by the Communications team as well as the Marketing team.

Strategic Communications:

• Develop messaging and strategies that support strategic goals of the DRC and the DRC brand.
• Develop communications strategies for reaching key audiences by focusing on a specific marketing goal, and then targeting the appropriate audiences with the right message delivered by the right messenger at the right time.
• Develop DRC editorial blog content strategy and manages team of writers from internal departments.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Supervise one professional whose expertise includes media relations, writing, and editing.
• Constantly improve the Communications Department’s efficiency and performance.
• Manage projects so that they are completed to maximum satisfaction within deadlines.
• Develop and manage the Communications Department budget.

Collaborative, Creative, Strategic:

• As a member of the DRC’s Senior Team, bring a collaborative spirit as well as creativity and strategic advice to every discussion.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must demonstrate each competency. Below are the knowledge, skills, and judgment required:

• Conduct Standards: Speaks honestly, clearly, and tactfully with DRC members and staff. When necessary, keeps information confidential, consistently respects all DRC policies, and always displays a professional demeanor as a representative of the DRC.
• Effective Communications: Communicates verbal and written ideas effectively, listens actively to others, expresses the desired outcome with clarity, and keeps all appropriate parties informed on projects, issues, and events.
• Initiative: Shows decisiveness and the ability to set priorities, formulate goals, and establish a clear course of action. Demonstrates strength in planning, welcomes the opportunity to lead and successfully deliver, and takes responsibility for the outcome of the work. A confident self-starter who is disciplined, always seeks out new opportunities, exhibits strong follow-through, and crafts innovative problem-solving solutions for the DRC. Volunteers input, suggestions, and professional guidance as appropriate. Handles frustration with maturity and utilizes constructive feedback for both personal and professional growth.
• Language Ability: Demonstrates a high level of comprehension and ability to interpret documents. Writes at a professional level commensurate with the duties of the role and speaks effectively before small and large groups.
• Leadership: Exhibits exceptional leadership qualities, which includes: communicating a clear vision of the importance of your department’s work as it relates to the DRC’s overall mission and strategic plan; properly prioritizing and organizing your department’s responsibilities and work; properly delegating the work to team members who are capable of executing at a high level; properly supervising the work that has been delegated; leading the team to complete each assignment in a high-quality fashion; helping team members grow professionally and personally; exhibiting enthusiasm and positive energy every day; motivating and leading by example, and publicly recognizing when others do the same.
• Management: Displays exceptional management skills, which includes: managing up to your direct supervisor by helping them achieve DRC goals; managing down to make sure your team is aligned, is excited to perform their roles, and is proud of the work they do; managing sideways by establishing and maintaining the trust and confidence of your colleagues; managing external relationships in a way that reflects well on the DRC, and helps grow our organization and our brand.
• Math Ability: Understands mathematical concepts, such as probability and statistical inference. Comprehends and can apply fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Member Service: Identifies and assesses member needs and takes action to increase their satisfaction with the DRC. Builds strong and sustainable relationships and trust with members through open and two-way communication while providing members with accurate, valid, and complete information utilizing the right methods and resources. Handles member complaints, provides appropriate solutions and alternatives, and follows up to ensure resolution in a timely manner. Goes the extra mile to engage members, keeps records of member interactions, and inputs them into our CRM system.
• Personal Interactions: Goes above and beyond to respond efficiently and effectively to the needs of members, the DRC team, and all other constituents. Treats everyone with respect, fairness, and empathy; presents a positive and enthusiastic image at all times.
• Problem-Solving: Contributes ideas along with a well-reasoned plan of action to improve quality and productivity, and once approved, leads or supports the implementation of these ideas.
• Quality of Work: Shows dedication to total quality in all aspects of work performance with minimal supervision. Conforms to the highest professional standards in achieving results — work is complete, accurate, on time, and cost effective. Demonstrates and applies knowledge of procedures, quality requirements, necessary paperwork, safety procedures, and our CRM system standards to the overall work of the DRC.
• Reasoning Ability: Solves practical problems and interprets a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Revenue Generation / Membership Growth: Every DRC staff member is responsible for identifying, generating, and retaining revenue streams. SVP-DEI fully utilize all systems to ensure pertinent information about constituents is accurately documented and fully maintained.
• Teamwork / Attitude: Actively engages in and contributes to the overall Senior Team and all other ad hoc groups. Works for the common good, appreciating, and respecting others’ views, initiates and supports changes needed for future growth, demonstrates flexibility, and support of group decisions.
• Time Management: Manages time well, is on time for meetings, and maintains a good record concerning absenteeism and tardiness. Schedules elective appointments as far in advance as possible to meet the needs of the DRC workload whenever possible.

Education/Experience:

Bachelor’s degree: five years’ professional and comprehensive experience in an applicable field and/or with an organization that is similar in mission and activities to the DRC.

Physical Requirements:

The physical requirements and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Moderate noise level
• Occasional standing and lifting of at least 5 pounds
• Long periods of sitting
• Possible travel outside the DFW area

Please send resume and cover letter to recruit@dallaschamber.org.