Director, Communications


 

Job Details

Experienced

Saint Paul, MN

Full Time

Level

Job Location

Position Type

About American Public Media Group

American Public Media is a producer and distributor of award-winning public radio programming and podcasts.

APM programming can be heard on nearly 1,000 public radio stations and reaches 17 million listeners each week, and our suite of podcasts delivers over 18 million downloads every month.

Our Mission: Creating the future of public media by amplifying voices to inform, include, and inspire.


Description

Your Role: 

The Director of Communications helps to lead, create, and implement communications strategies and plans across American Public Media national brands as well as Minnesota Public Radio regional brands.  The role is the functional leader of the communications function across American Public Media Group, leading a three-person team, and sits on the leadership team for Audience Development and Marketing (including marketing and audience insights).  This role is charged with proactively building our brand’s reputation through strategic story telling by leveraging our significant owned media channels, our robust membership base, and generating earned media.   This position will help proactively inspire and elevate APMG story telling, internally and externally.

Expected Compensation Range: $133,000 - $150,000/yr. Exact salary determined by experience and education related to the role, organizational compensation structure and internal equity.

Application Deadline: Open until filled

Position Responsibility:

Communications

  • Lead external communications for our existing and new audiences

    • Create communication strategies, plans, and content for multiple audiences including donors, employees, our boards, and listeners of our brands.

    • Develop proactive plans to build our reputation with new audiences.

    • Create deep relationships with media and drive high visibility for APM, APM national programs and MPR regional services via earned media

    • Serve as the company spokesperson as needed.

    • Act as a trusted counsel with leaders across the organization

    • Lead crisis communication planning to guide organization’s response to crisis scenarios

  • Lead internal communications for employees

    • This role will lead employee communications key messages and strategies to build visibility to organizational objectives and drive cultural change.

    • This position will require building strong relationships across the organization to maximize this plan.          

    • Counsel senior leaders on reputation management and communications strategies.

  • Leverage social media as a part of communication plans at the organizational level

    • Oversee communications listening/reporting and message management

General Leadership Functions

  • Leadership ability to drive transformational change on the communications team and across the organization.

  • Create strong cross functional relationships and position communications as a business partner on the cross functional team

    • Internal partners include marketing, membership, audience insights, senior leaders, producers, development, community engagement, public affairs & government relations, human resources and other key constituents.

  • Excel as an excellent manager of people

    • Manage and develop team through coaching, management of the performance process, and development opportunities.

    • Create a team culture that promotes equity, diversity, inclusion, and access.  

  • Other duties as assigned.


Qualifications

Required Education and Experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism or Business; OR equivalent work experience.

  • 6+ years of related work experience and expertise performing public relations and in communications.

  • 4+ years of supervisory/management experience.

  • Demonstrated experience in digital earned and social media.

Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

  • Ability to inspire, manage, and develop talent.

  • High level communicator; strong communication and writing skills.

  • Exceptional writer with proven success in a variety of formats

  • Ability to distill complex information into clear, concise messaging

  • Proven ability to maximize earned media opportunities for the benefit of the organization.

  • Ability to lead in an ambiguous environment.

  • Flexibility and adaptability to change.

Preferred Skills and Experience: 

  • Combined 15 years Communications experience at the national program level.

  • Experience with communication plans that promote equity, diversity, inclusion, and access.  

  • Possess a strong portfolio of media contacts; proven track record of building media relationships on a national level.

  • Knowledge of non profit and/or communications for a media company, including experience with navigating Board structures.

Reporting To This Position: 

  • Three people: 1 Communications Manager, 1 Media Relations Manager and a Communications Associate

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

  • Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

  • May require some travel (nationally) and occasional evening and weekend work.

  • Physical Demands:

    • Required to move about in an office environment and sit for extended periods of time

    • Required to move about in the community

    • Frequent use of hands for data entry/keystrokes and simple grasping

  • Working Conditions:

    • Moderate noise level

    • Occasional exposure to prevalent weather conditions

APMG offers a comprehensive benefits package including Medical plans with HSA and FSA options, Dental, Vision, Life and AD&D, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Paid Parental Leave and Paid Caregiver Leave after 1 year, Vacation (3 wks/per year, pro-rated, based on hours worked), Sick time (12 days, pro-rated, based on hours worked), Holiday Pay (10 holidays + 2 floating holidays each year), Volunteer Time (8 hours per year), Long-Term Care and Critical Illness insurance options, Employee Assistance Program, 403(b) Retirement Plan, and more.

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply.