Sr. Communications Specialist

Air Line Pilots Association, International

What We Do:

ALPA represents and advocates for more than 60,000 pilots at 34 U.S. and Canadian airlines, making it the world’s largest airline pilot union. ALPA provides three critical services to its members: airline safety, security, and pilot assistance; representation; and advocacy. Through unbiased, fact-based evaluation of airline safety and security issues, ALPA works to ensure that the airline industry remains safe. ALPA represents pilots’ views to decision-makers, including Congress and federal agencies, and ALPA pilot groups have negotiated hundreds of contracts with airlines.

Mission Statement:

The mission of the Air Line Pilots Association is to promote and champion all aspects of aviation safety throughout all segments of the aviation community; to represent, in both specific and general respects, the collective interests of all pilots in commercial aviation; to assist in collective bargaining activities on behalf of all pilots represented by the Association; to promote the health and welfare of the members of the Association before all governmental agencies; to be a strong, forceful advocate of the airline piloting profession, through all forms of media, and with the public at large; and to be the ultimate guardian and defender of the rights and privileges of the professional pilots who are members of the Association.

http://www.alpa.org


Position Details

Sr. Communications Specialist
Job
Full-time
7/2/2018
Northern Illinois
Rosemont, IL

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 60,000 pilots at 34 U.S. and Canadian airlines) seeks an experienced Sr.Communications Specialist for our office in Rosemont, Illinois.

This position provides strategic and tactical communications support for the United Airlines Master Executive Council (MEC) to build effective pilot communications plans and provide professional support in all areas of communications. Day-to-day, s/he will provide leadership and strategic counsel in helping the United pilot group determine the proper development, packaging, placement, and timing of communications that advance their MEC goals; execute programs and campaigns to support collective bargaining and advocacy priorities for the pilot group; and, handle 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 exceptional 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

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

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. 
  • Five (5) years of experience in a communications role at ALPA or in an equivalent advocacy and/or communications position elsewhere required, six (6) or more years preferred. Aviation and/or labor union experience and/or knowledge strongly preferred. 
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, oral and written, for effective interaction with internal staff, external contacts, and pilots and 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 media and PR/education campaigns; proven track record in pitching media and securing story placements. 
  • Track record in developing, executing, and evolving comprehensive and proactive communications plans, as well as specific programs and campaigns a definite plus. 
  • Must be a self-starter with professional maturity and sound judgment, capable of independent decision-making. 
  • Able to develop and execute social 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 a willingness to learnnew software applications to enhance effectiveness. 
  • Software: Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint required; Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Dreamweaver, and InDesign desirable. Sitecore and/or HTML a plus. Basic audio/video editing also a plus.


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