Communications Specialist

Communications Specialist

Location:

US-VA-Tysons (McLean)

Job :  | # Positions: 1 | Experience

Required:

5 years | Category:
Communications/Media/Public Relations - Communications Specialist

Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), the largest airline pilot union in the world, seeks an experienced Communications Specialist for our Tysons (McLean), Virginia office. The Communications Specialist provides communications support for the advancement of the Association’s collective bargaining goals and other ALPA-wide communications initiatives. They will work with assigned leaders of the MECs (Master Executive Councils), providing professional support in all areas of communication strategy, development, and execution.

They will also assist non-assigned pilot groups and MECs, as needed, during end‑game negotiations, special events, and other matters that require additional resources.

They must exercise excellent organizational and project management skills, take initiative, and ensure that project benchmarks and deadlines are met. They must also exhibit exceptional writing, problem‑solving, consensus‑building, and interpersonal skills to establish credibility with pilot leaders and ALPA’s professional staff. They must be able to develop and execute strategic media strategies that build awareness and support for key pilot group initiatives.

They must have experience with social media (organic and paid), media relations, advertising (digital, outdoor, and print), video, email, and web support.

Day‑to‑day, they will help individual pilot groups determine the proper development, packaging, placement, and timing of communications that advance specific MEC goals and assist their colleagues on similar projects as needed. They will also provide tactical communication support in the areas mentioned above.

Interested applicants are requested to submit an online portfolio link(s) showing previous work.

Local travel: 10 – 20 %.

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, English, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and practical experience; master’s degree or completion of post‑graduate courses preferred.
• Five (5) years of experience in a communications role at ALPA or in an equivalent advocacy and/or communications position elsewhere required. Aviation and/or labor union experience and/or knowledge strongly preferred.
• Must be a self‑starter with professional maturity and sound judgment, capable of independent decision‑making.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, oral and written, for effective interaction with internal staff, external contacts, and pilots, with attention to detail when reviewing and editing written materials.
• Must possess exceptional time management skills; be able to work independently in a fast‑paced, multi‑tasking environment; and transition easily between projects.
• Ability to effectively interpret and disseminate complex information about aviation safety and security, labor contracts and collective bargaining, and communicate for public understanding strongly preferred.
• Possesses the professional demeanor necessary to address issues of the most complex nature, to establish credibility in often‑contentious circumstances, and to positively affect members, the media, and other audiences.
• Experience planning and implementing social media and PR/education campaigns.
• Strong track record in developing, executing, and evolving comprehensive and proactive communications plans, as well as specific programs and campaigns – a definite plus.
• Able to develop and execute multi‑media strategies that build awareness and support for key pilot group initiatives.
• Knowledge of ALPA policies, processes, structure, and strategic plans strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of desktop publishing, presentation, design, and web content management preferred, with willingness to learn new software applications to enhance effectiveness.
• Software:
  Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint; basic videography, audio, and video editing required;
  Adobe Photoshop, Premiere, Illustrator, and InDesign, Vyond desirable. Sitecore, Evoq, and/or HTML a plus.

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