The Motion Picture Association, Inc. (“MPA”) is seeking a strategic, politically-savvy, hands-on leader with an international outlook and experiences to serve as the Executive Vice President, Media Relations & Communications (“EVP”). The EVP will report to MPA’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) in the global headquarters in Washington, D.C.

The EVP is a key member of the executive management team. Specifically, the EVP will be leading a critical support function at the MPA. The EVP will quickly develop a deep understanding of the core business of the global policy/advocacy and content protection teams and be able to shape their communications strategies to achieve their objectives, including engagement with the press and wider media landscape. Being based out of the global HQ in Washington, DC also means that the EVP will require an awareness of what the corporate branding and messaging needs to be, ensure its consistency across the MPA’s different regional and local offices in a way that supports local public affairs and communications colleagues and is sensitive to the differences in our local and corporate/HQ voices. Strong press and media relations in the US, as well as with mainstream international media outlets are key.

The EVP will develop strong relationships internally at all levels, across all markets, as well as with the MPA’s member companies’ heads of communication and public relations groups. Robust relationships across other divisions within the member companies such as government relations, public affairs, and content protection are also essential. 

Leading strategic communications, media relations, executive communications, all MPA events, digital strategy and our social media outreach - with a keen eye for raising our brand awareness and corporate profile and achieving our overall advocacy and content protection goals is critical. The EVP serves as the main steward of the MPA brand and engages with staff at all levels across the global enterprise.

As a strategic leader, the EVP will achieve greater transparency, collaboration, and communication across the organization and with member company constituents. Key responsibilities of the EVP include:

• Manage the MPA’s worldwide communications function for advocacy campaigns, media engagement, events, digital strategy, executive visibility, and public engagement to further organizational goals and priorities.
• Collaborate, support, and counsel the leadership of the Government Affairs, Content Protection, Legal, ACE, and TPN teams on all media and communications priorities globally.
• Oversee executive communication priorities for the CEO and other executives, including speeches, presentations, messaging, and social media profiles.
• Manage high-profile and crisis communications issues impacting the MPA and/or the film, television, and streaming industry.
• Develop a comprehensive strategic plan to measure the effectiveness of the MPA’s brand, messaging, and advocacy priorities, with measurable goals, benchmarks, and tracking mechanisms.
• Oversee the MPA’s digital strategy and manage the online platforms for the Association and key executives – including but not limited to social media channels, websites, and email – to successfully support MPA’s brand and communications strategy to positively impact priorities and goals.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills to cultivate and build strong partnerships with senior leadership, member company constituents, the press and media, and outside vendors and consultants to secure trust and confidence.
• Conduct high-level member company engagement on all communications matters, including but not limited to managing the Public Relations Council supporting the Board of Directors, and other key constituent groups such as General Counsels, ACE governing board, heads of US and global policy and other working groups.
• Work effectively with direct reports to develop, implement, and monitor key performance indicators, budgets, and goals to ensure success as the team responsible for being MPA’s brand ambassadors.
• Other special projects and duties as assigned.

Candidate Profile:

Strategic Focus & Mission Driven: The EVP will bring a personal passion and a deep interest in the priorities and objectives of the MPA. This leader will demonstrate a commitment to the organization’s values and mission. The EVP will be strategic, empathetic, thoughtful, collaborative, and innovative, to ensure positive contributions to the media and communications function globally. The EVP will be an inspiring voice at the MPA, an approachable, and inclusive leader with an adept ability to lead. The EVP must work at the global and local levels to bring more coordination and centralization of all media and communications work across all regional/global offices. 

Detail Oriented, Dedication to Excellence & Problem Solver: The EVP will be a strategic partner to the senior executive team. The EVP will anticipate issues and develop proactive solutions, The EVP will have a track record of success in developing innovative and data-driven solutions, creating measurable markers of progress towards MPA priorities and objectives, and be able to communicate them effectively internally, to member company constituents and the press and media. Attention to detail is key with any written product coming out of the EVP’s office being of the highest quality.

Relationship Builder: The EVP will have a strong executive presence, engender confidence, and lead with intentionality. The EVP will be an experienced leader skilled at quickly establishing rapport and cultivating relationships across all levels of the organization and externally with the member companies. The EVP will possess strong management skills, including the ability to influence and engage direct and indirect reports, foster trust, and collaboration, and develop systems of accountability. The EVP will be able to build bridges across departments and member companies and will foster a culture of collaboration and mutual respect, encouraging a diversity of opinions, values, and perspectives.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 18 years relevant/progressive experience managing public relations, media, stakeholder communications required (political/advocacy campaign work would be advantageous), as well as very strong proven people management skills. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Considerable experience and knowledge in working with policymakers, advocacy organizations, and the media.
• Strong communicator who possesses excellent written, oral, communication, and presentation skills. 
• Highly collaborative with excellent relationship-building skills.
• Strategic mindset with the execution skills to lead and manage projects, groups, or organizations to achieve goals/objectives.
• Ability to engage with and counsel senior-level decision-makers and drive organizational strategies successfully.
• Strong negotiation skills, with accomplishments in facilitating consensus among numerous constituents.
• Experience in a global leadership role with multiple entities and constituents, with increasing levels of responsibility and demonstrating a consistent ability to meet and/or exceed goals.
• Outstanding problem solver with an independent and entrepreneurial ability that allows you to make quick, sound decisions and the ability to juggle multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, social media platforms, and other software applications that support the media and communications function.