Director, Communications

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This range is provided by American Beverage. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$100,000.00/yr - $125,000.00/yr

American Beverage, the trade association representing America’s leading non-alcoholic beverage companies, is seeking a director to support the public affairs department across a range of communications functions. Primary responsibilities include developing written communications across a variety of formats, message development and execution and working with members of the media to promote ABA messages and respond to inquiries, all in a fast-paced environment.

Professional Experience/Qualifications:

• 5-8 years experience in communications or public affairs for trade association, corporation, government, public relations/public affairs firm or similar.
• Strong writer. Experience writing and editing in multiple formats including news releases, speeches, opinion pieces, strategic plans, letters to the editor, blogs and short-form digital communications.
• Experience with message development and execution. Able to develop effective messages that underpin the successful execution of public relations and marketing campaigns. And then an ability to get members within the organization to utilize those messages effectively and in unison.
• Experience in media relations, working successfully with members of the media in both pitching as well as responding to news inquiries. Working relationships with reporters from outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, Fox News, Newsmax, Daily Caller, etc.
• Deep understanding of evolving media landscape and experience leveraging non-traditional media (podcasts, newsletters, etc.) to disseminate messaging and achieve communications goals.
• Experience in managing and developing public relations and marketing campaigns that seek to promote and better position the subject within its environment.
• Previous experience managing major projects.
• Experience in development and effective utilization of digital communications tools including, but not limited to, websites, blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Must have a keen interest in staying in front of the newest and most effective ways to communicate through new mediums and technologies.
• Experience working with diverse stakeholders and bringing them together for a common purpose.

Responsibilities

• Write, edit and disseminate error-free, compelling media materials including, but not limited to pitches, messaging, press releases, advisories, letters to the editor, op-eds and guest columns.
• Work with the media, both mainstream and new media. Work with reporters to proactively educate on ABA positions as well as handle inquiries from reporters.
• Prepare messaging and materials to brief ABA spokespeople for all media opportunities.
• Oversee media monitoring efforts to identify actionable trends and ensure accurate representation of ABA messaging.
• Coordinate communications strategies and executions with member companies’ communications teams. Serve as a core liaison with company communicators daily regarding association activities and messages.
• Serve as a core communications and marketing specialist for the department, utilizing traditional and new communications mediums.
• Support the development and execution of public relations and marketing campaigns that help shape the views of opinion elites about our industry, its products and its leadership in the public policy arena. Successfully lead the execution of components of a campaign.
• Provide communications counsel to other departments, staff and state associations as needed.

Qualities:

• Strong writer. Must be able to effectively communicate in written word utilizing a variety of mediums to deliver our messages.
• Team-oriented. Must be a team-first person, with good judgment, who can effectively bridge between other teams while ensuring the needs and demands of the Communications Department are being served.
• Digital Communications skills. Knows how to apply new and evolving digital communications tools in an effective and routine manner to fully communicate messages to diverse audiences via a range of media and platforms. Strong handle on use of X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, blogs, websites and other digital and social networking mediums.
• Ability to learn complex issues quickly. Strong ability to learn and grasp public policy issues and how communications and marketing tactics can help shape these issues. Ability to understand science, interpret scientific studies and communicate industry positions on scientific studies to the media in an effective manner. Ability to work with association scientists, company scientists and outside scientific consultants.
• Decisive. Willing to make decisions that are well-thought-out and sound in judgment, but also made in context and conjunction with the direction of superiors and the outlined project mission.
• Strategic. Can anticipate opportunities and challenges in the short and long-term. Able to create a strategic plan to capitalize on opportunities and prevent potential problems as well as manage existing problems to long-term success.
• Leadership & accountability. Must be able to help set an agenda and then take responsibility for executing against that agenda within the team dynamic. Someone who can get the job done. A hard, dedicated worker.
• Strong under pressure. Can handle deadlines and high-pressure situations with aplomb and produce high quality work.
• Results-oriented. Driven to get the job done, delivering the highest quality work. Understands that speed and superior quality are not incompatible demands. Must be willing to compete and succeed at the highest levels of the worlds in which we work: government, corporate and trade associations.
• Strong people skills. Must be able to bring people together toward a common goal or solution. This includes bringing competitors together in working with membership as well as bringing co-workers together on projects. Must be confident and able to work productively with executives within industry and at companies who may be more senior in title and experience.
• Dedicated. To the organization, colleagues, members and the long-term health of the industry. Knows the importance of being here and getting the job done. A desire to be part of something special.

Apply to:

ABA is an Equal Opportunity Employer that offers excellent benefits, including competitive salary, 401(k), and health insurance. Send resume and cover letter to No phone calls.

The American Beverage Association (ABA) is the trade association that represents America's non-alcoholic beverage industry. ABA was founded in 1919 as the American Bottlers of Carbonated Beverages, and renamed the National Soft Drink Association in 1966. Today the ABA represents hundreds of beverage producers, distributors, franchise companies and support industries. Together, they bring to market hundreds of brands, flavors and packages, including regular, low- and no-calorie soft drinks, bottled water and water beverages, 100 percent juice and juice drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks and ready-to-drink teas.

Seniority level

Director

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Marketing, Public Relations, and Writing/Editing

Industries

Food and Beverage Services