Most Important Skills For A Director Of Communications And Outreach At Lumina Alliance
Clementine, a Director of Communications and Outreach, emphasizes the importance of "staying calm under pressure" and proactive "taking initiative" in communications, highlighting the need to build relationships and consistently produce high-quality writing. The role demands humility to gracefully incorporate feedback from various stakeholders, recognizing that communications work is "the most visible component of the organization."
Communication, Public Relations, Media Outreach, Relationship Building, Writing
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Clementine Ellis
Director of Communications and Outreach
Lumina Alliance
Agnes Scott College
University of Florida, MA, Sociology
Anthropology, Sociology
Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking
Communication and Marketing
Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, LGBTQ
Video Highlights
1. Staying calm under pressure and responding effectively to urgent situations
2. Excellent communication and writing skills; ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, including those with opposing viewpoints
3. Proactive initiative and relationship-building skills; ability to create opportunities and maintain professional networks
Transcript
What skills are most important for a job like yours?
In communications, you're often responding to recent events, and you need to be able to do so quickly and effectively. Staying calm and not panicking is crucial for this.
There's a balance between understanding urgency and not letting it paralyze you. The ability to remain calm under pressure is key.
Communication skills are also very important. This includes talking to people, especially those you disagree with or who may have reservations about your work, and having a calm, measured discussion.
The ability to take initiative is also vital. This isn't a passive role. For example, I don't often get calls from news organizations wanting to do a story. I have to proactively reach out.
I might say, "Hey, news person I met that one time. This recently happened, like the Rahimi case with the Supreme Court. I know you might want to do a story, and I want you to know we're ready to be interviewed and comment." It's about going out and taking that initiative.
Relationship building is important too. Remembering who people are, where they work, and their roles allows you to contact them later.
Writing is a huge skill that many people undervalue. I believe it's the best skill you can have in the workplace.
This applies to writing effective emails, press releases, copy, editing, and social media posts. It's about building and maintaining a consistent organizational voice.
Finally, humility is essential. In communications and outreach, you're creating the most visible parts of your organization. People will see this work and offer feedback, both positive and negative.
This feedback can come from the community or internally. If I send out a press release, for example, everyone in the department will have thoughts. You need to be ready to accept that feedback gracefully and incorporate it. Humility is a big part of that.