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The Carter Center is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization founded in 1982 in Atlanta, GA, by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, in partnership with Emory University. The Center has helped to improve millions of lives in more than 80 countries by waging peace, fighting disease, and building hope. The Carter Center is guided by a fundamental commitment to human rights and the alleviation of human suffering. It seeks to prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health.

The Carter Center collaborates with other organizations, public or private, in carrying out its mission around the world. Current information about the Center’s many programs and activities are available at The Carter Center.

DESCRIPTION

The Director of Engagement builds and lead a team of media relations, social media, public events, and communications experts who help ensure The Carter Center’s voice reaches key audiences via the most influential channels. The heart of the Director’s work is to ensure The Carter Center’s programs, leaders, and ideas are covered in prominent media and represented at global forums, helping build direct support for our work and advancing the issues essential for our success.

FORMAL JOB DESCRIPTION:

• Builds and delivers a strategy to target high-value audiences that can significantly advance The Carter Center's peace, health, and revenue objectives.
• Tracks results to monitor reach and impact and uses data analytics to guide communications investments and activities.
• Leads a team of 6-7 people, plus consultants and agencies, who manage the day-to-day media relations and external engagement work at The Carter Center's HQ in Atlanta.
• The Engagement Team tracks key areas of the Center's peace, health, and mental health work, with team members working as subject matter leads embedded in program areas.
• Builds relationships with key media to help ensure The Carter Center's programs, leaders, and ideas receive strong and positive coverage.
• Leads the team responding to media requests and proactively targeting media around key moments and news emerging from our program work around the world.
• Arranges media visits to Carter Center programs.
• Preps leadership for interviews and arranges media and speaker training.
• Acts as a spokesperson as needed.
• Works with team to prepare and issue press releases and talking points.
• Positions Carter Center leaders at global forums and events to elevate their profiles as thought leaders and to get the Center's issues and ideas on the global agenda.
• Working with the Storytelling team, prepares speeches and presentations to help leaders make compelling cases for our ideas and issues.
• Helps prep and coach speakers.
• Integrates social media into the overall engagement strategy, using it to build audiences and amplify key messages and campaigns.
• Works closely with the Director of Storytelling to oversee social media strategy and operations.
• Helps mitigate risk to The Carter Center's reputation by playing defense against potential negative media and social media.
• Advises caution against rash statements, comments, or 'trap' interviews.
• Puts The Carter Center's values and integrity above short-term media exposure.
• This position involves regular domestic and international travel to country offices to take media to observe The Carter Center's work.
• Works closely with Health and Peace teams to ensure robust coverage of their work and help them use communications to deliver on strategic program goals.
• Works with the senior leadership to help elevate their profiles as thought leaders and prep them for interviews and speaking opportunities.
• Works with communications colleagues on the Storytelling Team to jointly deliver special campaigns, events, and key moments.
• Manages the Engagement team's budget to insure value for money of all activities and the responsible use of Carter Center funds.
• Maintains professional growth and development of self by identifying educational/training programs, professional organizations, activities, and resources to maintain knowledge of national trends and to promote leading edge expertise.
• Perform related responsibilities as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• A bachelor's degree in journalism, media, communications, public policy, international relations, or a related field, and eight years of professional experience in journalism, media, or public relations, OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Master’s degree in journalism, communications, public policy, or international relations.
• Knowledge of international development and experience traveling and working in developing countries is strongly preferred. 
• At least 12 years’ experience at a media outlet, public relations agency, corporate communications team or advocacy organization.
• Strong management skills with a proven ability to hire, lead and motivate staff, consultants, and agencies to do their best work.
• Proven ability to engage with major media and get significant coverage.
• Proven record as a media strategist and builder of targeted audiences.
• Strong knowledge of media and audience analytics.
• Excellent writing, influencing, and presentation skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel internationally to accompany news media as they document our work.
• Knowledge of international development, especially public health and peacebuilding.
• Must be deadline- and detail-oriented, as well as a team player and a problem solver.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer.

NOTE: This role will be granted the opportunity to work from home regularly but must be able to commute to The Carter Center on a flexible weekly schedule based upon business needs. Schedule is based on agreed upon guidelines. The Carter Center reserves the right to change remote work status with notice to employee.

The COVID-19 vaccine or an approved exemption is currently only required for individuals working in a clinical setting. For more information on the University or Hospital policies, including exemptions, please see our website.

Emory University is dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, genetic information, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and veteran's status. Emory University does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment on the basis of any factor stated above or prohibited under applicable law. Students, faculty, and staff are assured of participation in University programs and in the use of facilities without such discrimination. Emory University complies with Executive Order 11246, as amended, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veteran's Readjustment Assistance Act, and applicable executive orders, federal and state regulations regarding nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action. Emory University is committed to achieving a diverse workforce through application of its affirmative action, equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policy in all aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training. Inquiries regarding this policy should be directed to the Emory University Department of Equity and Inclusion, 201 Dowman Drive, Administration Building, Atlanta, GA 30322.

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