External and Media Relations Lead

Legal Voice fights for gender justice across the Northwest . From courtrooms to the court of public opinion, we create pathways to justice. Legal Voice works in state and federal courts in the Northwest, and advocates for legislative change at the local and state level in Idaho, Montana, and Washington.

REPORTS TO: Executive Director
LOCATION:Washington state, Idaho, or Montana (Remote; Seattle area is hybrid)
POSITION STATUS: Full-time, exempt

The External & Media Relations Lead is responsible for shaping and elevating the public voice of the organization. This strategic leader develops and executes integrated communications, media, and public engagement strategies that advance the organization’s mission, strengthen its reputation, increase visibility, and inspire action. The title and level of this position may be adjusted to Manager or Director based on the candidate’s experience and qualifications.

Working closely with the Executive Director, legal staff, development team, and program leaders, this position serves as Legal Voice’s primary communications strategist and media expert, translating complex legal and policy issues into compelling stories that resonate with diverse audiences. Though this is a remote/hybrid position, this staff member must live and work within our main advocacy region:
Washington state, Idaho, or Montana.

Focus on Racial Equity: Legal Voice is developing internal and external structures to responsibly and meaningfully center racial equity in our work. The ideal candidate for this position will have a well-developed equity framework that includes an understanding of systemic racism and oppression and will be self-reflective and willing to grow and learn around these topics.

Salary & Benefits: This full-time position has a salary range of $95,000–$105,000, depending on experience.

• medical, mental health, dental, vision, and life/AD&D coverage as well as a wellness stipend
• 45 days PTO per year (self-determined holidays, vacation, and sick leave) plus two one-week office closures in summer and end-of-year
• 401(k) eligibility after six months of employment with a possible employer contribution
• flexible and generous family leave
• professional development opportunities
• technology stipend

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

• Develop and implement a comprehensive external communications strategy aligned with organizational priorities.
• Create annual communications plans with measurable goals and key performance indicators.
• Ensure consistent messaging across all public-facing platforms.
• Manage the organization’s brand identity, voice, and messaging framework.

MEDIA RELATIONS

• Serve as the organization’s primary media contact.
• Build and maintain relationships with local, regional, and national journalists.
• Develop media strategies around litigation, policy advocacy, legislative priorities, research, and organizational announcements.
• Draft press releases, media advisories, talking points, and statements.
• Coordinate interviews, editorial board meetings, and media briefings.
• Prepare organizational leadership and subject matter experts for media appearances.
• Monitor media coverage and identify proactive media opportunities.
• Manage crisis communications and rapid response messaging.

EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS

• Serve as communications advisor to the Executive Director.
• Draft speeches, keynote remarks, op-eds, blogs, letters to the editor, and public statements.
• Prepare briefing materials for press conferences, interviews, board meetings, and public events.
• Help position organizational leadership as trusted experts on gender justice and public policy.
• Oversee, develop and integrate digital communications campaigns across platforms.
• Collaborate with designers and digital consultants to produce compelling multimedia content.
• Analyze digital engagement and optimize communications strategies based on performance.

CONTENT DEVELOPMENT

• Collaborate with staff, partners, community, and clients to elevate stories while protecting confidentiality and dignity.
• Translate litigation, policy victories, and research into accessible public narratives.
• Produce collateral including development and marketing campaign…