The central work of Public Affairs is to build strategic relationships with opinion leaders who affect the reputation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and whose actions and influence can help or hinder the Church's mission.
Providing information, insights and perspectives by: (a) identifying problems, challenges, and opportunities facing the Church (b) helping Church leaders make informed decisions (c) anticipating the effect of those decisions on specific publics (d) communicating in ways that build effective relationships for the Church and help solve problems. Primary audiences for this position include the Public Affairs Directors' council, the Public Affairs committee, the Quorum of the Twelve and the First Presidency. Others include The Presidency of the Seventy, Area Presidencies, Area Seventy, key city councils, government and community leaders as well as other departments of the Church.
- Potential duties:
- Writes and edits press releases, news and feature articles, position papers, training materials, speeches, etc.
- Responds to inquiries from journalists, newspapers, magazines, radio, television, etc.
- Promotes news and feature stories to the worldwide media.
- Utilizes new media outlets through the Internet such as bloggers and web writers.
- Maintains the News Room website messaging.
- Provides research and evaluation for pre and post public relations initiatives.
- Monitors social, political, and economic trends.
- Researches reports and articles to provide strategic analysis of worldwide information and trends.
- Provides analysis of scanned and monitored data.
- Creates brochures, leaflets, press packets, video news releases, public service programming, etc.
- Produces videos, audio visual presentations, etc.
- Trains priesthood leaders, public affairs directors, and missionaries worldwide.
- Handles major special events such as General Conference, temple open houses, Tabernacle Choir receptions, dedications, centennials, etc.
- Works strategically to create positive relationships for the Church with media, government, and community leaders.
- Creates and implements crisis management plans.
Bachelor's degree in a communications-related field or equivalent (e.g., public relations, communications, journalism, marketing, government relations, international relations, political science, social science). Minimum 7 years; prefer 8+ years in areas related to Public Affairs, Communications, Marketing, Media, Government Relations, or International Relations.
Equivalent experience may replace education. Requires excellent writing and communications skills, ability to think strategically and bring people together, experience with Church organization and priesthood governance, and ability to represent the Church well with individuals at any level. Must manage and coordinate numerous tasks and assignments concurrently, with good organizational skills to balance competing priorities within time constraints and often under pressure. Competent with word processing, presentation graphics, database, and Internet access and utilization. Public Relations Society of America certification desirable.
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