Office of the Executive Director of the Maine Legislature
Communications Director
Office of the Executive Director of the Maine Legislature, Augusta, Maine, us, 04338
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTORMaine State Legislature
This senior staff position shapes the Senate President's communications and digital program and outlines thecaucus' strategy and policy priorities for the public. This director employs creativity and boldness to findsuccess within a constantly changing communications ecosystem. This position manages getting clearinformation out to Mainers--in an engaging way--about the policies that affect their lives. The ideal candidate isresourceful, adept at balancing and pivoting between multiple priorities, and can work both as part of a teamand independently. The Senate President's Office staff supports and enhances the work of the Democraticcaucus as they carry out their duty to serve their constituents and strives to have tangible, positive impacts onthe lives of all Maine people.
Responsibilities include:• Working with the Senate President, Chief of Staff, and caucus to refine messaging andidentify policy priorities.• Tracking the legislative calendar to identify the bills and events relevant to our coremessages and guiding communications staff in this scheduling.• Working closely with the policy staff and legislative leaders to communicate• Building out a strong and digital program including filming interviews and conversations,editing videos, writing social copy, ensuring the digital rollout follows our major themes ofthe session, working with already established social media personalities and advocacygroups to elevate our members and messaging• Designing and implementing a short and long-term strategy including identifying coremessages and communications goals, drafting regular messaging guides, approvingweekly press assignments and email content• Compiling a regular communications report for staff and Senate President• Oversees the day to day communications deliverables of the SMO including:• Regular email newsletters• Scheduled columns and op-eds• Interviews with and statements for media outlets• Speaking opportunities• Talking points on major issues• Annual print newsletter project• Serves as a point of contact for members of the press, and helps caucus memberseffectively communicate their priorities through the press• Provides guidance and resources to Legislative Aides and other SMO staff in thedevelopment of constituent communications, newsletters, as well as radio, video andother social media outlets.• Researches, writes, assigns and edits press releases, as needed and in collaboration withthe Majority Office Communications Director• Organizes press events• Drafts or delegates speeches for caucus members, especially caucus leadership• Drafts columns for caucus leadership• Joining policy meetings to provide input on comms strategy and press guidance• Working with SMO Communications Director to draft template messages and responses• Managing and updating Senate President Social media accounts and website• Creating social media graphics• Exploring new communications opportunities
Preferred Skills & Qualifications:• Bachelor's Degree or Masters Degree and four years of relevant experience, or an equivalentcombination of education and experience.• Ability to communicate, coordinate and work effectively with the public, members of thelegislature, legislative staff and executive branch.• Advanced knowledge of the legislative process and• Advanced digital and editing skills, knowledge of Maine's media landscape and tools whereMaine people get their information outside those traditional platforms.• Previous background in a fast-paced or metrics-driven work environment.• The ability to work independently and in team settings.Excellent writing skills including demonstrated understanding of AP Style, and ability to addressdiverse audiences.• Familiarity with Maine's news landscape, including print and broadcast outlets, as well asknowledge of emerging media tools and trends.• Excellent skills in the following programs and platforms:o MailChimpo WordPresso Canvao Adobe InDesign and Photoshop• Proven ability to meet deadlines and maintain quality of output.• Ability to work collaboratively and as part of a team; strong organizational skills, attention todetail and ability to develop and manage systems.• Demonstrated experience as a self-starter and ability to work in a highly challenging,complex and fast-paced environment.• Ability to communicate, coordinate and work effectively with the public, members of thelegislature, legislative staff and executive branch.
To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to jenna.howard@legislature.maine.govand sarah.desrosiers@legislature.maine.gov.
This senior staff position shapes the Senate President's communications and digital program and outlines thecaucus' strategy and policy priorities for the public. This director employs creativity and boldness to findsuccess within a constantly changing communications ecosystem. This position manages getting clearinformation out to Mainers--in an engaging way--about the policies that affect their lives. The ideal candidate isresourceful, adept at balancing and pivoting between multiple priorities, and can work both as part of a teamand independently. The Senate President's Office staff supports and enhances the work of the Democraticcaucus as they carry out their duty to serve their constituents and strives to have tangible, positive impacts onthe lives of all Maine people.
Responsibilities include:• Working with the Senate President, Chief of Staff, and caucus to refine messaging andidentify policy priorities.• Tracking the legislative calendar to identify the bills and events relevant to our coremessages and guiding communications staff in this scheduling.• Working closely with the policy staff and legislative leaders to communicate• Building out a strong and digital program including filming interviews and conversations,editing videos, writing social copy, ensuring the digital rollout follows our major themes ofthe session, working with already established social media personalities and advocacygroups to elevate our members and messaging• Designing and implementing a short and long-term strategy including identifying coremessages and communications goals, drafting regular messaging guides, approvingweekly press assignments and email content• Compiling a regular communications report for staff and Senate President• Oversees the day to day communications deliverables of the SMO including:• Regular email newsletters• Scheduled columns and op-eds• Interviews with and statements for media outlets• Speaking opportunities• Talking points on major issues• Annual print newsletter project• Serves as a point of contact for members of the press, and helps caucus memberseffectively communicate their priorities through the press• Provides guidance and resources to Legislative Aides and other SMO staff in thedevelopment of constituent communications, newsletters, as well as radio, video andother social media outlets.• Researches, writes, assigns and edits press releases, as needed and in collaboration withthe Majority Office Communications Director• Organizes press events• Drafts or delegates speeches for caucus members, especially caucus leadership• Drafts columns for caucus leadership• Joining policy meetings to provide input on comms strategy and press guidance• Working with SMO Communications Director to draft template messages and responses• Managing and updating Senate President Social media accounts and website• Creating social media graphics• Exploring new communications opportunities
Preferred Skills & Qualifications:• Bachelor's Degree or Masters Degree and four years of relevant experience, or an equivalentcombination of education and experience.• Ability to communicate, coordinate and work effectively with the public, members of thelegislature, legislative staff and executive branch.• Advanced knowledge of the legislative process and• Advanced digital and editing skills, knowledge of Maine's media landscape and tools whereMaine people get their information outside those traditional platforms.• Previous background in a fast-paced or metrics-driven work environment.• The ability to work independently and in team settings.Excellent writing skills including demonstrated understanding of AP Style, and ability to addressdiverse audiences.• Familiarity with Maine's news landscape, including print and broadcast outlets, as well asknowledge of emerging media tools and trends.• Excellent skills in the following programs and platforms:o MailChimpo WordPresso Canvao Adobe InDesign and Photoshop• Proven ability to meet deadlines and maintain quality of output.• Ability to work collaboratively and as part of a team; strong organizational skills, attention todetail and ability to develop and manage systems.• Demonstrated experience as a self-starter and ability to work in a highly challenging,complex and fast-paced environment.• Ability to communicate, coordinate and work effectively with the public, members of thelegislature, legislative staff and executive branch.
To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to jenna.howard@legislature.maine.govand sarah.desrosiers@legislature.maine.gov.