Publicist

The American Chemical Society seeks a dynamic, motivated publicist to cultivate relationships with members of the global news media and influencers, to lead efforts to publicize the organization’s 150th anniversary, and to support the strategic goals of the Communications Division and ACS. The ideal candidate will build partnerships with colleagues across the organization, members of the media, ACS members, freelancers, and research scientists and scientific institutions. Primary responsibilities include maintaining and forging relationships with members of the media, adjusting communications products and defining delivery strategies to meet the needs of a science-interested audience, writing press releases and talking points, using data to evaluate current practices, and ensuring ACS is portrayed in a positive light. This role requires strong communication skills in a variety of facets: written, verbal, digital. The person in this role should have excellent interpersonal skills and will manage a team of two people. This is a hybrid position. Some travel will be required.

Responsibilities

• Manage two direct reports. Provide mentorship, guidance, and direction. Foster a trusting team rapport.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of ACS’s current communication efforts. Embrace continuous improvement by implementing a media strategy to maintain and improve the impact of ACS in the news.
• Preserve and enhance current relationships with journalists and public information officers. Identify new relationships to pursue.
• Build relationships internally to create high-quality content that can earn media attention globally. This content could be social media posts, press releases, or other communication materials.
• Work with partners to develop, or write on their behalf, press releases and other communications to publicize ACS.
• Help evaluate and support strategic engagement globally across social media channels and other platforms.
• Maintain and grow the National Historic Chemical Landmarks program, which involves interfacing with members, scientific institutions, and freelancers.
• Become familiar with the translated content the team publishes and participate in discussions around maintaining or changing the approach. Ensure Communications content is adequately promoted to reach a global audience.
• Leverage media events to promote goodwill, develop credibility, educate, and create a favorable public image for ACS.
• Publicize ACS events, including landmark dedication ceremonies and ACS’s 150th anniversary events.
• Liaise to committees, comprised of members and board members. Responsibilities include providing effective written material, making polished oral presentations, and, with assistance from other team members, plan two committee meetings per year.
• Ensure ACS is represented accurately in the media.
• Assist with monitoring brand compliance, both internally and externally.
• Contribute to a positive corporate identity and positive brand recognition. Promote a positive and consistent company social narrative.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications or similar field required; science communication experience highly desired.
• 10+ years of experience in communications, publicity, or media relations field.
• Experience with people management.
• Experience at a communications or public relations agency is a plus.
• Strong communication skills with proven ability to present, write, and edit materials for journalists, and do so in a clear, concise, well-organized, and well-articulated manner.
• Make solutions-focused decisions by weighing priorities, evaluating data, and collaborating with others.
• Demonstrate expert knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures in the media and communications space.
• Able to prioritize responsibilities with minimal oversight.
• A self-starter with the ability to work well within a team to achieve organizational goals.
• Careful attention to detail to produce high-quality and accurate content.
• Proven ability to handle sensitive and complex issues with discretion.
• Proficiency in Spanish, Mandarin, or Arabic is a strong plus.
• Willing and able to learn software specific to the team, including Microsoft 365, Asana, Slack, and Cision.
• Knowledge of AP Style.

This role is based in our Washington, D.C. office. A reasonable rate of compensation for this position is between $106,000-143,000 per year.

ACS currently provides the following benefits for this position: paid vacation leave, paid sick leave, paid holidays, health insurance, flexible spending account or health care savings account, dental insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, retirement benefits, short- and long-term disability, and 4-week work from anywhere; each benefit is subject to the terms of the applicable program. Additional benefits may apply based on skills, experience, and location.

Any actual offer of employment, reflecting the total compensation package and benefits, will be made in the sole discretion of ACS. ACS reserves the right to amend or modify its employment benefits and compensation structure at any time.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)