Sr. Communications Specialist

The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), the largest airline pilot union in the world and the largest non-governmental aviation safety organization in the world (representing over 63,000 pilots at 35 U.S. and Canadian airlines) seeks an experienced Sr. Communications Specialist for our office in Atlanta, Georgia. This position provides communications support to the more than 14,400 member pilots of the Delta MEC and occasionally contributes to Association-wide communication initiatives. S/he will apply his or her skills toward the advancement of the Delta MEC’s collective bargaining goals and other communications initiatives and work with leaders of the MEC, providing professional support in all areas of communications. For the ALPA-wide focus, s/he will occasionally assist the ALPA Communications Department in executing programs and campaigns to advance the interests of all members of the Association and of the piloting profession, integrating the flow of information on national issues and projects to the Delta MEC’s communications, as appropriate.

The Sr. Communications Specialist provides strategic and tactical communications support for the Delta MEC’s pilot leaders to build effective communications plans and provide professional support in all areas of pilots’ day-to-day communication operations. S/he provides leadership and strategic counsel in helping pilot groups determine the proper development, packaging, placement, and timing of communications that advance their goals; leads campaigns throughout all phases of a project, from external message development, advertising, and media relations to idea development and execution across Communications’ department teams and MEC committees; executes programs and campaigns to support collective bargaining and advocacy priorities for pilot group; and, handles general communications, including media relations, social media, community/stakeholder relations, and other outreach support.

Overall, s/he will provide strategic communications counsel, exercise leadership and initiative, influence the decision-making process, and ensure that project benchmarks and deadlines are met. S/he must exhibit excellent writing, problem-solving, consensus-building, and interpersonal skills to establish credibility with pilot leaders and ALPA’s professional staff and be a skilled media and social media tactician, able to take complex issues and transform them into clear communications for multiple audiences to increase audience reach and engagement.

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

Local, national, and international travel: 10 - 20%.

Minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant area, e.g., Communications, English, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, or related field, from an accredited college or university is required, master’s degree or completion of post-graduate courses preferred; or, the equivalent combination of education and practical experience.
• Minimum of seven (7) 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 strongly preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, oral and written, for effective interaction with internal staff, external contacts, and pilots. Attention to detail when reviewing and editing written materials required.
• Skilled earned media and social media tactician, with the ability to cut through acronyms and jargon, transforming complex issues into clear communications for multiple audiences.
• Sufficient content creation and web design experience to act as an internal account manager.
• Must possess excellent time management skills; be able to work independently in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment; and, transition easily between projects.
• An in-depth knowledge of ALPA policy, procedures, governance structure, and functions of all committees strongly preferred.
• 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 a complex nature, to establish credibility in contentious circumstances, and to positively affect members, the media, and other audiences.
• Track record in developing, executing, and evolving comprehensive and proactive communications plans, as well as specific programs and campaigns.
• Must be a self-starter with professional maturity and sound judgment, capable of independent decision-making.
• Software: Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint required; Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign) and Adobe Dreamweaver desirable. Sitecore, Evoq, and/or HTML a plus.
• Photography, video, and basic graphic design skills strongly preferred. A/V editing a plus.

Physical Demands:

Note: The physical demands described herein are characteristic of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential physical activities of this position described below.

Constantly operates a computer/smartphone/tablet. Regularly required to maintain a stationary position, move about the office and the local metropolitan area, determine what others have said or written, and converse with others and exchange accurate information.

Regularly required to sit, stand, bend, reach, and move about the office and travel (locally, nationally, and internationally). Also include occasional bending, stooping, squatting, and/or pushing and pulling or moving, e.g., to pack, unpack, and/or move cases.

Occasionally required to move, raise, reach, and/or retrieve binders, books, boxes, and files up to ten (10) pounds (lbs.). While on travel, could be responsible to move, raise, reach, and/or retrieve luggage weighing as much as 50 lbs. (Assistance may not always be available.)

Relocation not provided.