Position Summary

The Policy and Communications Specialist III supports both internal and external communications efforts as it relates to the entire organization and communications initiatives, with an emphasis on public policy writing, messaging, and content development. Responsible for storytelling and developing general and advocacy related communications, strategic messaging, media relations requests and supporting media coverage through proactive initiatives and assisting with broader departmental public policy efforts.

As the Policy and Communications Specialist III, you will work with colleagues across Policy, Marketing and Communications, and across the organization to develop, execute and track public policy and communications priorities and strategies. These priorities require a high degree of organization, advanced working knowledge of Asana (project management tool), including task tracking, timelines, and cross-functional collaboration with internal stakeholders and subject matter experts.

This is an individual contributor role without any direct reports. While this position can be done remotely from anywhere in the U.S., you must primarily accommodate our Washington, D.C. business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET.

Key Responsibilities

The Policy and Communications Specialist III assists in developing, explaining, and carrying out the organization's communications initiatives by supporting the entire organization and liaising with the Policy department, as assigned. This includes:

• Working with the Marketing and Communications and Policy teams to develop and execute strategic communication efforts, public affairs and media strategies for advocacy priorities by closely tracking activities and work streams and providing media relations, communications counsel and support for public relations initiatives for Public Policy.
• Leading the development and implementation of a comprehensive internal and external communications strategy with an emphasis on the external communications for Public Policy.
• Integrating communications strategies across social, web and other platforms to ensure messages are tailored to and resonate with target audiences.
• Aligning closely with other departments and working with colleagues from various teams, including attending inter-departmental meetings, understanding advocacy goals/objectives, managing issues proactively, executing coordinated communications campaigns and responding to requests promptly.
• Assisting in the development and execution of communications and public policy plans.
• Working with consultants and taking primary lead timely development of writing, developing and copy-editing impactful messaging and a variety of collateral materials including press releases, statements, op-eds, speechwriting, talking points, stakeholder quotes, FAQs, policy marketing emails, blog posts, briefings, top-line findings from survey results, and fact sheets for both Public Policy and general communications initiatives.
• Working with policy media and building and managing relationships with print, broadcast and online/web reporters. Proactive outreach to reporters and other external audiences as well as handling responses to media inquiries, as needed.
• Collaborating with the Policy team on their legislative, grassroots and third-party activities, including providing communications and messaging support.
• Supporting the PR team in developing and pitching story ideas/statements to policy reporters.
• Managing media interview requests, as needed.
• Managing vendor relationships as it pertains to campaign initiatives and other work.
• Performing other duties, as assigned.
• The ideal candidate for this position is creative, hard-working and has an interest in public policy, media relations and behavioral health care.

Required Qualifications

• 4+ years of professional experience in strategic communications, with at least 2+ years minimum experience in public policy, public relations, media relations, and/or with Capitol Hill.
• Experience working with policy reporters and general media to secure local and national coverage.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with expertise in persuasive rhetoric and both long- and shortform writing.
• Strong leadership abilities and interpersonal skills for building relationships across diverse stakeholders.
• Skilled in storytelling, creative thinking, and communicating complex information to varied audiences.
• Proficient in Asana for project planning and execution, and highly skilled in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated ability to use data to inform and optimize communication strategies.
• Able to manage multiple projects and tight deadlines with strong attention to detail in a fast paced, evolving environment.
• Team-oriented mindset with the ability to contribute effectively to collaborative environments.
• Ability to travel up to 15%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience working within government, non-profits, consultancies, trade
• Working knowledge of Cision and PRNewswire.
• associations, or equivalent organizations.
• Work experience and/or personal interest in the field of behavioral health care.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications or a related field, or additional equivalent years of professional experience.

Salary & Benefits

The salary range for this position is $102,168 to $133,087. Salary decisions within the range are based on experience, education and internal equity.

The National Council offers a comprehensive benefits package, which includes (but is not limited to):

• Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions after 1 year of service
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick, personal, floating holiday, bereavement and observed federal holidays
• Parental support benefits, including adoption, fertility and surrogacy reimbursement and two weeks paid parental leave
• Free unlimited Relias professional development courses
• Annual professional development and tuition reimbursement funds
• Calm Premium access

About Us

The vision of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing is to make mental wellbeing, including recovery from substance use challenges, a reality for everyone. Despite overwhelming need, nearly 30 million people across the U.S. do not have access to comprehensive, high-quality, affordable mental health and substance use care when they need it.

Founded in 1969, the National Council is a membership organization that drives policy and social change on behalf of nearly 3,200 mental health and substance use prevention, treatment and recovery organizations and the more than 15 million children, adults and families they serve. We advocate for policies to ensure equitable access to high-quality services and supports. We build the capacity of mental health and substance use treatment organizations. And we promote greater understanding of mental wellbeing as a core component of comprehensive health and health care. Through our Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) program, we have trained more than 4.5 million people in the U.S. to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges.

The National Council is growing to meet this moment. We’ve more than doubled our dedicated team to 240+ employees since 2020. Although we have office space in Washington, D.C., we operate as a remote-first organization, with employees working from their various locations across the United States.

The National Council is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We embrace individuals from all backgrounds and perspectives, welcoming people of all races, ethnicities, religions, genders, sexual orientations, and ages, as well as veterans, people with disabilities, and those with lived experiences in mental health and substance use challenges to apply. We are committed to fostering a welcoming environment and recruitment process for everyone. If you require accommodation during the application process, please contact us at Recruiter@thenationalcouncil.org.