Communications and Media Relations Specialist III

Allen Institute; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 94,000 - 127,000; Full time

Job summary

Allen Institute is seeking a Communications and Media Relations Specialist III to expand the Institute’s media presence across print, broadcast, and digital outlets. You will develop media strategies, build relationships with journalists, and partner with leaders to communicate impact.

Reporting to the Associate Director, Communications and Media Relations, you will strengthen reputation, thought leadership, and visibility while coaching leadership and collaborating across departments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Media/Communications or Journalism or equivalent combination of degree and work experience.
• Minimum 2 years of communications experience in nonprofit/agency/corporate settings.
• Minimum 2 years of mainstream journalism experience.
• Strong project management, writing, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and media assets creation.

Responsibilities

• Develop media strategies aligned with priorities to boost reputation and visibility.
• Build relationships with journalists and editors at science and general outlets.
• Create and distribute press releases, messaging docs, talks, and briefs.
• Provide media coaching for Institute leadership and staff.
• Expand media contact lists and monitor outcomes annually.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Events and Impact teams for promotion.
• Manage media inquiries and interview requests in a timely manner.
• Support crisis communications and respond to incidents as needed.
• Publish written/video/audio content across platforms and channels.

Skills

Project management

Writing

Organizational skills

Communications experience

Journalism experience

5+ years communications

Mainstream journalism

Interest in science

Adaptability

Communication skills

Education

Media/Communications degree

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

The Allen Institute accelerates science for a healthier world through large-scale research designed to answer some of the most complex questions in biology. Our multi-disciplinary teams generate foundational knowledge, tools, and data to understand how our brain, cells, and immune system work. We share our work openly so others can build on it, move faster, and ask bigger questions. We drive discovery forward and create new possibilities for improving human health.

The mission of the Administration team is to enable the people and science of the Allen Institute. We connect teams, steward resources, and build strong systems that give our accelerators the stability and flexibility to pursue ambitious questions, collaborate across disciplines, and share their work openly.

We are searching for a Communications and Media Relations Specialist III to expand and strengthen the Allen Institute’s media presence among top-tier scientific news outlets. Working within the Editorial and Media Team, this role develops and executes media strategies aligned with established priorities, builds relationships with journalists, and partners with scientific and organizational leaders to communicate the Institute’s work and impact. Reporting to the Associate Director, Communications and Media Relations, the Specialist III helps strengthen the Institute’s reputation, thought leadership, and visibility across print, broadcast, and digital media.

At the Allen Institute, we believe that science is for everyone – and should be open to everyone. We are dedicated to combating biases and reducing barriers to STEM careers more broadly.

We also believe that science is better when it includes different perspectives and voices. We strive to make the Allen Institute a place where everyone feels like they belong and are empowered to do their best work in a supportive environment.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and strongly encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for our open positions.

Essential Functions

• Collaborate across the Communications Department and the Allen Institute to develop strategies and tactics aligned with established departmental and Institute priorities that strengthen the Institute’s reputation, brand, thought leadership, and visibility in the world
• Build and nurture relationships with journalists and editors at scientific and general interest news publications and broadcasters
• Develop earned, owned, and shared media strategies to showcase the Allen Institute story in print, broadcast, and online media
• Align media strategies with the Institute’s scientific goals and milestones, and partner with internal stakeholders to ensure alignment
• Build and nurture positive relationships with key science writers, reporters
• Manage media inquiries and interview requests in a timely manner
• Develop, write, and distribute effective communications materials including press releases, messaging documents, talking points, briefing documents.
• Provide media coaching and support for Institute leadership and scientific staff
• Expand and maintain media contact lists
• Monitor, analyze, and communicate media relations results on an annual basis
• Support the Communication Team’s response during crisis situations
• Work in collaboration with the Marketing, Events and Impact Team to promote Allen Institute events and education resource
• Work independently and collaborate with members of the Communications department to develop written, video, and audio content for distribution on multiple platforms and channels

Required Education And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Media, Communications, Writing or Journalism or equivalent combination of degree and work experience
• 2 years of communications experience in a nonprofit, agency or corporate environment or related
• 2 years of mainstream journalism experience
• Strong project management, writing and organizational skills
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and similar media creation tools to develop visually engaging web pages, social media posts and digital media assets

Preferred Education And Experience

• 5+ years of communications experience in a nonprofit, agency or corporate environment
• 5+ years of mainstream journalism experience in a variety of newsroom roles and mediums (e.g., television, radio, digital, print)
• A passion for learning and a natural curiosity for science
• Thrive in an innovative environment while remaining flexible, proactive, resourceful and efficient
• Excellent communication, written, verbal, interpersonal and collaborative skills

Physical Demands

• Occasional lifting to 30 pounds
• Fine motor movements in fingers/hands to operate computers and other office equipment;
• Push/pull up to 50 pounds

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Occasional evening and weekend hours required
• This role is currently able to work both remotely and onsite in a hybrid work environment. We are a Washington State employer, and the primary work location for all Allen Institute employees is 615 Westlake Ave N.; any remote work must be performed in Washington State.

Travel

• Attendance and participation in national conferences required
• Occasional local travel to alternate locations to for relationship building and stewardship required

Additional Comments

• Please note, this opportunity does not sponsor work visas and has no relocation assistance

Annualized Salary Range

$93,650 - $127,380*

• Final salary depends on the required education for the role, experience, level of skills relevant to the role, and work location, where applicable

Benefits

• Employees (and their families) are eligible to enroll in benefits per eligibility rules outlined in the Allen Institute’s Benefits Guide. These benefits include medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are also eligible to enroll in the Allen Institute’s 401k plan. Paid time off is also available as outlined in the Allen Institutes Benefits Guide. Details on the Allen Institute’s benefits offering are located at the following link to the Benefits Guide: https://alleninstitute.org/careers/benefits .

It is the policy of the Allen Institute to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Allen Institute will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities