Speechwriter to the President

Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is the national umbrella organization for the nation’s leading network of women’s health care providers, educators, and advocates, serving women, men, teens and families. Planned Parenthood Action Fund (PPAF) is the advocacy and political arm of PPFA. For over 100 years, Planned Parenthood has done more than any other organization in the United States to improve women’s health and safety, prevent unintended pregnancies, and advance the right and ability of individuals and families to make informed and responsible health care decisions.

PPFA is currently seeking a Speechwriter to the President, who will play an instrumental role in developing core speech content for the President of PPFA. Working closely with the President, the Office of the President, divisional heads and other key leaders, they will develop original content and ensure that key messages are consistently communicated. The speechwriter will be responsible for drafting remarks, talking points, written content, and briefings for speaking engagements, and for managing social media properties for the President. The OOP Team provides support to the President, working closely with colleagues and external stakeholders to ensure that the President and the work of this organization are set up for success. Our Team’s Superpower: The ability to pivot and get things done at the speed of light.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Draft and produce effective, lively, relevant, persuasive, and well-researched remarks in the President’s voice for a wide range of events and audiences with an ability to flex communication style to multiple cultural environments.
• Collaborate with the President, Senior Vice President for Communications, and larger Media Teams to develop themes and content across Planned Parenthood’s areas of interest including sexual and reproductive health care and education, advocacy and politics, philanthropic fundraising, as well as other progressive and social topics.
• Consistently apply detailed fact checking, research and due diligence to all assignments including speeches, briefing materials, slides, and statistics.
• Provide research, writing and/or editing for other writing projects for both external content such as op-ed pieces and internal content such as newsletters and announcements from the Office of the President with consideration of the impacts of the work on multiple communities including communities of color, marginalized communities and others.
• Prepare briefing documents for the President’s major speaking engagements.
• Coordinate both in-person and across digital platforms with Media and Digital Teams to regularly maintain all of the President’s social media properties and to advance the President’s media profile.
• Constantly read, watch and listen to relevant news, via traditional media and social media from a broad array of sources including speeches by other leaders in health care, politics, and policy; identify effective techniques and narratives; and adapt those models to Planned Parenthood.
• Must be able to juggle multiple time-sensitive demands simultaneously, and quickly and effectively incorporate feedback into written product.
• Must take ownership and accountability of all assignments – ensuring that deliverables are made on-time and with high professional quality.
• Travel and staff the President at various events and media opportunities, assuming frequent travel including occasional nights and weekends.
• Execute all other projects as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in English, Communications, Health Sciences, or related field.
• 4+ years writing experience for an Executive/Principal is preferred. Established track record writing for a political campaign, elected officials, or high-profile organizational leaders, and successfully positioning of these leaders in written and/or verbal speeches.
• Proven communications skills with experience incorporating the perspectives of diverse communities (e.g., race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, age, etc.) including fact-checking, speech writing, researching, copyediting, proofreading, and editing high-level, public, and sensitive communications documents.
• Ability to manage sensitive information in a confidential and discreet manner.
• Digital communications experience, including experience managing principals’ social media platforms
• Familiarity and ability to present to diverse audiences, specifically racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse communities. Knowledge of diverse groups, experience working with a multicultural workforce, and sensitivity to and appreciation of cultural differences are required.

Personal Qualities and Other Attributes:

• Must have a strong, inherent drive to consume and digest news related to reproductive health and rights, politics, health innovation, and other topics.
• Knowledge of communicating with diverse groups, working with a multicultural workforce, and sensitivity and appreciation to cultural differences is required.
• Inquisitive, disciplined, confident, and flexible

Travel:

• 10%-25%

Minimum Salary:120k

Final offers for this job will be based on capabilities and will be made within the parameters of the PPFA compensation program. Total offer package to include generous vacation + sick leave + paid holidays, individual/family provided medical, dental and vision benefits effective day 1, life insurance, short/long term disability, paid family leave and 401k. We also offer voluntary opt in for Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Transportation/Commuter accounts.

We value a truly diverse workforce and a culture of inclusivity and belonging. Our goal is to attract qualified candidates and encourage applications from all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We’re committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, customer focus, and innovation.

PPFA participates in the E-Verify program and is an Equal Opportunity Employer

• PDN-HR

If denoted as NYC, DC, or both, this position is usually located in our in our New York City or DC office, but is remote while offices remain closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.