External Affairs and Communications Manager

About SPUR

SPUR is a nonprofit public policy organization in the San Francisco Bay Area. Through research, education and advocacy, SPUR works to create an equitable, sustainable and prosperous region, where all people thrive. We bring people together from across the political spectrum to develop solutions to the big problems cities face. With offices in San Francisco, San José and Oakland, we are recognized and respected for our independent and holistic approach to urban issues.

The Opportunity

The External Affairs and Communications Manager will be responsible for developing and executing a plan to elevate SPUR’s profile within key audiences through consistent communication and strategic outreach. This involves understanding target audiences, creating compelling stories, selecting appropriate media channels, and building press and media relationships. The External Affairs and Communications Manager will oversee all press engagement, digital communications, and social media in service of advancing SPUR’s mission to create an equitable, sustainable, and prosperous region where all people thrive. They advise, execute, and project manage the public relations strategy of the organization, in partnership with staff and other contractors as needed. Ultimately, their role is to boost brand awareness, promote policy research and advocacy, drive membership, support fundraising, and achieve public relations objectives.

Experience and expertise will be pivotal in strategically allocating resources across a spectrum of projects, all while delineating ambitious short-term targets and enduring long-term aspirations. We are looking for a public relations strategist who understands the power of publicity to help achieve policy and fundraising goals. Your leadership will help SPUR achieve its goals and establish its brand presence in the nonprofit, government, and advocacy spaces.

Essential Functions

Media and public relations

• Oversee and execute SPUR’s press and media engagement. Develop, implement, and execute press and media strategies, including the creation of press releases and proactive outreach to build relationships with press contacts to highlight SPUR's policy insights and research findings. 
• Craft talking points, media statements, and response plans in close partnership with leadership for rapid response communications. 
• Utilize strong judgment in time-sensitive messaging, balancing speed with precision.
• Collaborate with other departments and stakeholders to ensure alignment of public relations efforts with overall organizational goals, including close coordination with SPUR's Policy, Engagement, and Development teams. 

Communications

• Develop and implement an integrated strategic communication plan to broaden awareness and break through echo chambers. 
• Use various marketing channels (e.g., email and print marketing, social media, events, digital ads,) to promote our organization, increase awareness of our mission and programs, and advance SPUR's policy insights.
• Assist in drafting, editing, and/or proofing email, web content, digital newsletters, social media posts, donor facing communications, and other marketing collateral.
• Partner with Engagement and Development staff to design communications that strengthen donor stewardship and drive fundraising goals.
• Utilize SPUR’s mass marketing platform, Pardot, to deliver digital communications.
• Ensure SPUR’s brand message is strong and consistent across all channels.
• Develop and manage an organization-wide external communications & press calendar. 

Impact Campaigns

• In collaboration with the CEO, CPO, and CAO, proactively identify, build and deploy integrated, multi-channel communications campaign strategies to promote and advance select policy initiatives.
• Monitor policy and advocacy issues, news events and legislative cycles to ensure responsive storytelling that adapts to changing circumstances and external events.

Social Media and Digital Content

• Develop and implement the organization’s social media strategy to expand reach, increase engagement, and strengthen brand visibility across platforms.
• Manage day-to-day social media activity, including content planning, posting, monitoring, and analytics, ensuring alignment with overall communications and campaign goals.
• Create and curate social media content and graphic design that amplifies our policy priorities, translating complex research into accessible and engaging posts to drive public awareness and engagement. 
• Create and curate social media content and graphic design that amplifies our fundraising initiatives.
• Track and report performance of all digital and social media platforms to assess effectiveness of different outreach strategies and adjust messaging accordingly.

Administrative 

• Manage contractors and consultants engaged in communications and marketing projects ensuring timely deliverables and successful project outcomes.
• In partnership with the CAO, develop and manage the organization's external affairs budget, allocating resources effectively for the organization's communications needs. 
• Manage monthly, quarterly, and annual budgets for the external affairs/communications role.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in public relations, preferably in a nonprofit organization
• Exceptionally strong writing skills
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Strong project manager with ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, and on schedule
• Proven experience developing and implementing successful public relations strategies
• Experience running successful marketing campaigns, including press and media
• Experience with CRM and mass email marketing platforms
• Experience managing graphic design, illustration, photography, and/or videography projects
• Skilled in Google Analytics, content management systems (Drupal or similar), mass email (Pardot or similar), CRM databases (Salesforce or similar)
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to set and prioritize goals
• Graphic design experience a plus
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data to inform decisions
• Knowledge of various marketing channels and best practices
• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, or a related field

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $90,000-$110,000 depending on experience. This is a full-time, exempt position. SPUR offers a complete benefits package of health insurance, dental insurance, vision care, basic life insurance, pre-tax commuter benefits, employee assistance program (EAP) and retirement plan with twenty-five percent contribution matching.

Hybrid Work Environment

SPUR has a hybrid workplace model defined by a combination of remote and in-person work. We have mandatory all-staff in-person days on Monday and Wednesday, and as the job requires. Staff will be required to attend other in-person meetings, events, and programs around the Bay Area region as needed. All policies are subject to change.

Equal Opportunity Employer

SPUR is an equal opportunity employer with a strong organizational commitment to respecting differences of all kinds. SPUR prohibits unlawful discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, political orientation or disability or any other basis prohibited by law. In that spirit, we strongly encourage applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, LGBTQ applicants and others that will contribute to the diversity of our staff.

Applicants With Disabilities

Reasonable accommodations will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so assigned.