New Director of Public Relations Announcement:
The Board of Directors is looking to fill the upcoming vacancy of Director of Public Relations. This is a critical, sensitive position with a 3-year commitment that requires certain skills to further the public persona of RFTW with an eye towards attracting new riders. We live and work in a hugely electronic environment, so knowledge and familiarity with computers, social media platforms, website content management, video editing and production, etc., is paramount.
The successful candidate will have a background in the use of Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, and similar tools like Zoom. Website content management using WordPress and similar tools is required. Public Relations experience, including speaking with the media, is required. Effective writing is essential. Knowledge and experience in actively participating on a variety of social media platforms is equally necessary. The successful candidate will need to be closely attuned to the Bylaws and SOPs of RFTW and be willing and able to actively assist the Social Media Director on multiple social media programs and platforms. Occasional training sessions with route volunteers to ensure an understanding of our social media objectives may be required. Public speaking ability is critically important.
The Director of Public Relations is responsible for:
- Building relationships with media outlets and communication partners that lead to mainstream coverage of RFTW events.
- Serve as the key media contact for RFTW.
- Manage the RFTW website, including overseeing the production of new content and shepherding its ongoing development to include non-website platforms if applicable. Included in this responsibility may be assisting the Director of Merchandise with managing the online store and credit card transaction processing.
- Increase the visibility of RFTW by managing the brand image through determining and designing marketing materials and organizing and overseeing the creation of RFTW promotional materials.
- Manage, produce, and update written and visual multimedia content for emails, website, and social media networks to raise the visibility of RFTW.
- Respond to media requests in a timely manner.
- Control the flow of information between RFTW and the public and manage the public perception of the organization, ensuring that information across all channels is accurate and positive.
- Work closely with the Social Media Director to build, project, and maintain a positive image of RFTW to the public through communication media.
- Produce/ oversee the production of and distribution of creative presentations, press releases, leaflets, brochures, and other types of media agenda for internal and external distribution.
- Develop public relation strategies that promote RFTW products, brand, and MISSION.
- Respond to requests for information release from the media or other, vetted interested parties.
- Coach other RFTW representatives in appropriate ways to communicate with the public and designate appropriate RFTW spokespersons and sources of information.
- Encourage the liaising with related organizations, such as motorcycle groups, veterans’ associations, civic and service-related organizations and individuals/groups that support the RFTW MISSION and those that may be the beneficiaries of donations from RFTW.
- Check the facts and veracity of statements from individuals or groups regarding RFTW, making certain public statements can be properly sourced and validated, thus creating consistency and accuracy across all channels of communication.
- Develop a public relations plan for potential negative scenarios in order to both control public narrative and to protect the integrity and reputation of RFTW content continuity across all social media platforms.
- Provide annual and before Run training for route social media coordinators, photographers, videographers, and sit-rep writers to ensure they understand and comply with a positive, mission-focused public presentation representing Run For The Wall in all they do.
- May be assigned other duties as determined by the Board or BoD President.
Appointment to the BoD places demands on your free time. We meet a minimum of once a month, often twice. There are occasional emergency online meetings with as little as 5 days’ notice. Occasional travel is required with certain travel expenses reimbursed. In July each year the BoD convenes Face to Face meetings where attendance is paramount. Our winter Face to Face meeting may be in person or via video teleconferencing. We also meet Face to Face each year in Ontario prior to the Run.
The successful candidate will submit a resume outlining their skills relevant to those listed here, along with a brief description of their Run experience, website content management and social media experience, and the names of three references we may contact. Veterans are also required to submit an SSAN-redacted copy of their DD-214 that shows Character of Service (type of discharge). Once selected, the successful candidate will also have to submit to a Character & Fitness Examination (CFE), essentially a background check at the Board’s expense. Additionally, the BoD reserves the right to interview candidates for positions on the Board of Directors during the selection process.
Those wishing to apply should submit their package to Secretary@rftw.us no later than 30 June 2024. Questions can be directed to President@rftw.us.
If you want to serve Run for the Wall, this is an excellent opportunity to impact the future of our organization. We look forward to hearing from you!
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