Policy Communications Manager - Washington DC

Policy Communications Manager - (Washington DC)

What we're looking for:

Twitter is currently seeking a media relations specialist to manage day-to-day public policy communications from our Washington DC office. This role requires the ability to explain the dimensions of Twitter’s product strengths and strategic vision to the media, and to provide briefings and media analysis reports to both Twitter’s communications and public policy teams.

The ideal candidate has a successful record of managing strong press relationships and a solid knowledge of the public policy issues that sit at the intersection of technology, politics. This person must be committed to such issues as free expression, data and privacy, online safety, along with an understanding of cybersecurity and other corporate affairs in the tech space.

The person in this role will possess a strategic, creative and data-driven approach to media relations, and able to craft and execute in a fast-paced, deadline-driven working environment.

This role will report directly into Twitter's Global Policy Communications Lead in Washington DC.

What success looks like:

• You will foster excellent professional relationships with media in Washington DC and across the country - from across the political spectrum
• You will be an excellent digital strategist, understanding how Twitter’s online presence can enhance its reputation
• You will be operationally rigorous, building clear systems and processes to manage Twitter’s engagement with press on critical public policy issues
• You will be diligent in your written and verbal communication, producing a consistently high standard of materials for press and other stakeholders
• You will cultivate strong relationships with both the public policy and communications teams in the United States
• You will be seen as a trustworthy and judicious source of counsel for Twitter's Global Policy Communications Lead
• You will use data to inform and shape your approach, keeping an organised record of your work and its impact
• You will provide crisp information and analysis on complex issues for multiple audiences
• You will build relationships with other functions, including marketing, to augment and enhance your approach

Responsibilities:

• One of Twitter’s main contacts for day-to-day queries from press who are seeking Twitter’s view on policy-related issues
• Execute reactive communications plans and strategies using all channels: statements, blog posts, Tweets, video, etc.
• Deliver key elements of the strategies and agendas that are set by the Global Policy Comms Lead
• Prepare briefing notes and preparatory documents for the Global Policy Comms Lead
• Cultivate ongoing media relationships with U.S. press (issue-vertical, business, tech and policy reporters)
• Support your global policy comms colleagues, informing them on media issues that may pop up in other markets outside the U.S.
• Liaise with HQ comms and policy teams to effectively support their campaigns and to ensure that the policy comms voice is represented
• Maintain a strong level of administrative and operational rigor, producing reports, analysis, and data on Twitter’s position in the media debate around important public policy issues

What you need:

• A bachelor's degree and/or masters qualification
• 5+ years’ experience in media relations in the political or tech space
• Hands-on in-house experience with a technology company, government agency, or media company strongly preferred
• Excellent writing, editing, and messaging skills
• A global perspective and an ability to work with different cultures, perspectives, and attitudes
• Strong skills in digital media creation, monitoring, and data analysis
• A thoughtful, considered, and emphatic approach to professional life and your colleagues. This is vital.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, pressurized environment, and to meet deadlines consistently
• Flexible, amiable, a good colleague, and a strong, committed collaborator