Manager of Media Relations

Weill Cornell Medicine; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Weill Cornell Medicine is seeking an experienced communications professional to lead media relations and crisis management for the institution. You will coordinate Thought Leadership programs for faculty and manage relationships with press and external agencies.

The role requires strong writing, strategic thinking, and the ability to guide a team through high-stakes media scenarios in a healthcare academic setting, with a focus on protecting institutional reputation.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years related experience in a public relations agency, communications, media relations, academic or healthcare setting with team management experience.
• Experience in supporting media trainings, crisis communications, and media relations.
• Excellent writing and presentation (written and verbal) skills.

Responsibilities

• Devises strategic media relations plans to pitch story ideas to press; develop relationships with media outlets to drive coverage for assigned service lines. Writes media alerts, media advisories and other press materials; reviews external press releases.
• Creates media lists; pitches and coordinates interviews and shoots with reporters, film crews, photographers, and producers. Accompanies media to and from interviews and photo sessions to enforce policies.
• Guides media team responses to vet challenging requests when the Director and Assistant Director are unavailable; counsels team on media lists, shoots and pitching projects.
• Manages the Thought Leadership Program by engaging in brainstorms and creative meetings, overseeing media team staffing and assignments, managing external agencies and other stakeholders, and partnering with the project manager and team leads.
• Attends and participates in all course sessions for strategic oversight and continuity.
• Expands and leads the media team’s post-program presence for Thought Leadership with increased follow-up pitching interactions and engagement, tracking and evaluation, and results monitoring and reporting.
• Presents External Affairs capabilities at all programs in concert with the Assistant Director. Manages and creates results reports for leadership.
• Under guidance, drafts responses to reputational issues and emergency situations; supports crisis response strategy; captures strategy and positioning in presentations, action plans, briefings, and analyses for leadership.

Skills

Media relations

Crisis communications

Strategic planning

Writing & editing

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Press materials

Education

Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, public relations or related field

Tools

MuckRack

Cision

Job description

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*As required under NYC Human Rights Law Int 1208-2018 - Salary range for this role when Hired for NYC Offices

Position Summary

Manages and executes media relations and crisis management functions for Weill Cornell Medicine; coordinates and stewards institutional Thought Leadership in Media Program for faculty.

Job Responsibilities

• Devises strategic media relations plans to pitch story ideas to press; develop relationships with media outlets to drive coverage for assigned service lines. Writes media alerts, media advisories and other press materials; reviews external press releases.
• Creates media lists; pitches and coordinates interviews and shoots with reporters, film crews, photographers, and producers. Accompanies media to and from interviews and photo sessions to enforce policies.
• Guides media team responses to vet challenging requests when the Director and Assistant Director are unavailable; counsels team on media lists, shoots and pitching projects.
• Manages the Thought Leadership Program by engaging in brainstorms and creative meetings, overseeing media team staffing and assignments, managing external agencies and other stakeholders, and partnering with the project manager and team leads.
• Attends and participates in all course sessions for strategic oversight and continuity.
• Expands and leads the media team’s post-program presence for Thought Leadership with increased follow-up pitching interactions and engagement, tracking and evaluation, and results monitoring and reporting.
• Presents External Affairs capabilities at all programs in concert with the Assistant Director. Manages and creates results reports for leadership.
• Under guidance, drafts responses to reputational issues and emergency situations; supports crisis response strategy; captures strategy and positioning in presentations, action plans, briefings, and analyses for leadership.
• Manages development and internal coordination of crisis management materials, including drafting media responses and document review processes.
• Manages external agencies for media relations and crisis management, including coordinating pre- and post-meeting preparation and deliverables for campus-wide Issues Communications Task Force meetings.

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in journalism, communications, public relations or related field

Experience

• Minimum of 7 years related experience in a public relations agency, communications, media relations, academic or healthcare setting with team management experience.
• Experience in supporting media trainings, crisis communications, and media relations.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent writing and presentation (written and verbal) skills.
• Demonstrated strong communication and interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to interact with multiple constituencies.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and partnerships with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency with MuckRack, Cision, or a comparable media monitoring platform.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “any person, any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRRA). We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.