Communications Associate - NY - Change.org - United States

Change.org is the world’s largest technology platform for social change. Our goal is to empower people everywhere to start campaigns around the issues they care about, mobilize others, and work with decision makers to drive solutions.

We’re also an innovative business – a “social enterprise” and a certified B Corporation, with a business model designed to support positive social impact (more about B Corps: www.bcorporation.net).

Over 100 million people have signed petitions, and our users win nearly one victory per hour, including strengthening hate crime legislation in South Africa; fighting corruption in Indonesia, Italy, and Brazil; ending the ban on gay Boy Scouts in the United States, and big wins for women’s rights in India. And we’re just getting started. Here’s a small snapshot of why some of the 100 million people have signed Change.org petitions: youtu.be/UcT1rgZDko4

Change.org is seeking an ambitious, highly-driven candidate to join our NYC-based communications team as a contractor. You will be a member of a fast-paced team and will share stories about people-powered change with the media.

This role is focused on supporting your teammates by executing on tactics under the leadership and direction of a highly-experienced senior communications manager.

As a nonpartisan, open petition platform, there’s no limit to the number of issues you could be working with petition starters on — from interacting with U.S. veterans fighting to obtaining visas for interpreters who supported them in war, to families battling student loan debt, to health care professionals trying to protect workers from outbreaks like Ebola.

Here’s what you’ll do as part of our team:
Work with a team of communicators, campaigners, and media, to support the people who start petitions on our platform — conducting research, some media outreach.

Support communications staff with strategies to escalate campaigns launched on Change.org, and help drive them toward victory.

Prepare drafts of press materials to support petition starters and the campaigns they start on Change.org.

Connect reporters with Change.org petition starters whose stories they’re interested in telling.

Support new and ongoing media relationships, including development and maintenance of key press lists and media monitoring.

Prepare briefing documents and decks for executive media interviews, speeches, and high-profile meetings.

Manage media inquiries for information and executive comment.

Plan and execute events we host and assist with logistics for events we attend.

Compile lists of potential communications industry awards. And here are the skills & experience we hope you have:

A deep commitment to our mission of empowering people everywhere to win campaigns on the critical issues of our times.

A deep understanding of the US media market and what makes an excellent media story.

Competitive candidates will have between two and four years of relevant experience. Relevant experience will include some combination of: agency experience, in-house communications experience, political/policy/tech communications, media relations, and familiarity with PR databases.

Excellent team player with an interest in working collaboratively with multiple departments to execute on goals.

A go-getter, eager to expand and refine their communications chops.

Outstanding interpersonal, project management, and decision-making skills.

Demonstrated ability to work calmly and maintain good judgment in fast-paced environments.

Excellent written, verbal and social media communication skills.

Ability to work with colleagues in different countries and appreciate cultural differences.

Strong task management skills, with an ability to follow directions from coworkers without heavy oversight, and to keep track of various tasks that are delegated.

A willingness to take risks, fail, and adapt.

This is a contract opportunity, based in our New York City office.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, physical disability, or length of time spent unemployed.

We are working for a world where no one is powerless, and where creating change is a part of everyday life. We’re just getting started, and we hope you’ll join us.