Media Relations Manager (TPIN)

The Public Interest Network; Washington (District of Columbia); Remote; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Public Interest Network seeks a Media Relations Manager to expand our national visibility and engage DC-based journalists. You will lead media campaigns, develop strategy, and craft press materials while coordinating with our lobbying teams and internship staff.

Remote work is supported for the foreseeable future; compensation aligns with experience. A strong track record in public/media relations and fluency with social platforms will help drive our messaging across campaigns.

Qualifications

• Concise communicator who can translate complex topics into lay terms.
• Strong writing samples that will impress seasoned journalists.
• Leader who takes initiative and can be trusted to deliver.
• Goal-driven, results-oriented, and able to manage multiple projects.
• Willing to engage in transpartisan solutions to contentious issues.
• Bachelor’s degree with strong academic credentials.
• 5+ years of experience in public/media relations, marketing or journalism.
• Extensive working knowledge of Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
• Volunteer or nonprofit/campaign experience preferred.
• Know how Beltway operations work from Capitol Hill to agencies.
• Spanish fluency or conversational ability preferred.
• Excellent judgment and discretion; capable of overseeing major projects.
• Willing to commit to the role for two years.

Responsibilities

• Project management: own media campaigns from gestation to fruition.
• Media strategy: develop multifaceted communications plans.
• Writing: craft and assist in news releases, blogs, and memos.
• Editing: refine internal and public-facing writing for clarity.
• List building: create and maintain media contact lists.
• Networking: expand media lists via journalist outreach.
• Story pitching: match stories to journalist needs with persuasive writing.
• Digital communication: use social media to promote content and find journalists.
• Staff supervision: supervise interns and junior staff when senior is absent.

Skills

Concise communicator

Writing samples

Leadership

Initiative

Transpartisan thinking

Social media savvy

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Job description

The Public Interest Network runs organizations committed to our vision of a better world, a set of core values, and a strategic approach to social change.

The mission of The Public Interest Network’s in-house media communications department is to strategically enhance public visibility of U.S. PIRG, Environment America and dozens of state and national affiliated organizations. We seek to elevate our organizational story and positioning through increased media mentions of The Public Interest Network’s campaigns and more interviews with our leadership and subject matter experts. Enhanced visibility should lead to greater name recognition, political clout and donations for The Public Interest Network to advance its causes.

The Media Relations Manager will be the point person for garnering coverage from DC-centric and DC-based journalists and will be the main liaison between The Public Interest Network’s DC-based staff and the media.

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Project Management: Take ownership of media campaigns from gestation to fruition, especially with our DC-based lobbying teams and our Consumer Watchdog program.
• Media Strategy: Develop comprehensive multifaceted communications strategies for ongoing and new campaigns.
• Writing: Write and assist in writing news releases, blogs, position statements, and internal memos.
• Editing: Edit internal and public-facing writing for consistency, clarity, and relevance.
• List Building: Build and maintain a list of media contacts.
• Networking: Add to network media lists through outreach to journalists.
• Story Pitching: Pitch stories to journalists using persuasive writing skills that match our stories to journalists’ needs.
• Digital Communication: Use social media to promote content, find journalists, and pitch stories.
• Staff Supervision: Act as supervisor of interns and junior staff in absence of senior manager.

Qualifications

You:

• Are a concise communicator who can advocate for causes and translate complex topics into layman’s terms
• Have writing samples that will impress even a grizzled, veteran journalist
• Are a leader who takes initiative and learns from mistakes
• Are goal-driven and results-oriented
• Are ready to fight for a better world but don’t see everyone who disagrees with you as the enemy. In fact, you seek transpartisan solutions to contentious issues.
• Have at least a bachelor’s degree and excellent academic credentials
• Preferably have 5+ years of experience in public/media relations, marketing and/or journalism
• Have extensive working knowledge of Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn
• Preferably have prior experience volunteering or working with a nonprofit organization or political campaign
• Know how things work inside the Beltway, from Capitol Hill to the various Cabinet departments and other government agencies
• Preferably speak Spanish fluently or, at least, conversationally so we can expand our audience
• Have excellent judgment and discretion and the ability to oversee significant projects
• Can make a two-year commitment to the position

L ocation

Washington, D.C. For the foreseeable future, all of our staff are working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Compensation for this position is commensurate with relevant professional experience and/or advanced degrees. The Public Interest Network offers a competitive benefits package including extensive classroom and hands-on training.

The Public Interest Network operates and supports organizations committed to a shared vision of a better world and a strategic approach to social change. Visit https://publicinterestnetwork.org/core-values.html?utm_source=Emerging-Practitioners-in-Philanthropy&utm_medium=web-ad&utm_campaign=TPINfall2020&utm_term=251&utm_content=Media-Relations-Manager-for-National-Nonprofit for things you should know about our network when you apply.

The Fund for the Public Interest is an equal opportunity employer.