Media Relations Specialist II - (Hybrid)

American Medical Association; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 74,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

The American Medical Association is seeking a Media Relations Specialist II for a hybrid role in Chicago, IL. You will monitor media, write and distribute press releases, and support communications planning across AMA's editorial and channel strategy teams.

Ideal candidates bring 3+ years in media relations, strong writing and verbal skills, and familiarity with media monitoring tools. This exempt role features in-office three days weekly and opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, PR, marketing, political science, or related field preferred or equivalent work experience and HS/equivalent education required.
• Minimum 3+ years of experience in media relations, communications, public affairs, journalism, or a related field.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for diverse audiences and platforms.
• Attention to detail and organizational skills to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience in health care, policy issues, or media monitoring tools is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Monitor media coverage in real time and inform stakeholders of potential errors and breaking news.
• Write and distribute press releases and create distribution lists for maximum impact.
• Compile daily media clips, reports, and dashboards to highlight earned media results and KPIs.
• Coordinate with AMA spokespeople, attendees, and conferences; support media planning and inquiries.
• Maintain media databases and collaborate with cross-functional teams to align on communications plans.

Skills

Media relations experience

Written communication

Verbal communication

Organizational skills

Project management

Analytical skills

Education

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

HS/equivalent education required

Tools

Cision

Meltwater

Muck Rack

Job description

Media Relations Specialist II (Hybrid)

Chicago, IL

The American Medical Association (AMA) is the nation's largest professional Association of physicians and a non-profit organization. We are a unifying voice and powerful ally for America's physicians, the patients they care for, and the promise of a healthier nation. To be part of the AMA is to be part of our Mission to promote the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health.

At AMA, our mission to improve the health of the nation starts with our people. We foster an inclusive, people-first culture where every employee is empowered to perform at their best. Together, we advance meaningful change in health care and the communities we serve.

We encourage and support professional development for our employees, and we are dedicated to social responsibility. We invite you to learn more about us and we look forward to getting to know you.

We have an opportunity at our corporate offices in Chicago for a Media Relations Specialist II (Hybrid) on our Editorial & Channel Strategy team. This is a hybrid position reporting into our Chicago, IL office, requiring 3 days a week in the office.

As a Media Relations Specialist II, you will support the AMA Media Relations Team by monitoring media coverage in real time and promptly updating relevant stakeholders about breaking news and potential errors. Responsibilities include helping write and distribute press releases, creating media distributions lists, and fielding online inquiries. The role also involves compiling daily media clips reports, collecting and help analyzing media data, and assisting with communications planning. Additionally, this role provides administrative support to the Chicago and DC media teams, as needed.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Media

• Monitors media coverage closely - and in real time - and informs appropriate PIO and other stakeholders of potential errors, breaking news, AMA mentions, and stories gaining strength.
• Writes routine press releases which will include supporting other members of the team on their media "beats" as well as owning their own specific beats.
• Identifies opportunities to extend press efforts with "day two" stories and releases tied to news stories and trends that are supported by AMA policy.
• Assists with press release distribution and notification and creates distribution lists targeted for maximum impact.
• Assists with identifying and tracks new and emerging media outlets for pitching, flags stories for potential input and follow up.
• Creates and updates essential lists in Muck Rack or other media databases.
• Supports AMA spokespeople by developing talking points and by attending conferences and press events.
• Fields online media inquiries on a timely basis and directs inquiries to appropriate staff member.
• May provide pitch support to supplement media team efforts.

Reporting

• Compiles and distributes daily media clips and intelligence reports to key stakeholders.
• Produces monthly impact reports on media metrics, as well as media dashboards on a quarterly, yearly and ad hoc basis to highlight earned media results and dashboard for KPIs.
• Collects, records and helps analyze measurement data for earned media reports through our media monitoring and tracking tools.
• Monitors and reports on keywords, topics, staff, and other AMA mentions in media.
• Tracks and reports on media hits for the entire team.

Communication Coordination

• Organizes and assists with communications planning and enterprise communications plans.
• Tracks execution in alignment with media metrics and reports upcoming events and recent actions on key projects.
• Updates media calendar, checks with staff regularly to ensure accuracy of listed events.
• Works with the social media team to ensure media priorities are communicated to that team and supported appropriately on various platforms.
• Helps ensure media team coordination across EC by connecting regularly with other teams.

May include other responsibilities as assigned

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, political science, or a related field preferred or equivalent work experience and HS/equivalent education required.
2. Minimum 3+ years of experience in media relations, communications, public affairs, journalism, or a related field, including internships or relevant professional experience required.
3. Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to write clearly, accurately, and concisely for a variety of audiences and platforms.
4. Exceptional attention to detail and strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
5. Experience in news, media, public affairs, health care, or policy issues, with the ability to monitor and quickly synthesize breaking developments.
6. Experience compiling reports, tracking metrics, and working with spreadsheets, dashboards, or media monitoring tools.
7. Ability to analyze media coverage and identify trends, risks, opportunities, and emerging conversations.
8. Ability to work collaboratively across teams and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels.
9. Familiarity with media monitoring, media databases, and analytics platforms such as Cision, Meltwater, Muck Rack, or similar tools preferred.
10. Interest in health care, medicine, advocacy, or mission-driven communications preferred.

The American Medical Association is located at 330 N. Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611 and is convenient to all public transportation in Chicago.

This role is an exempt position, and the salary range for this position is $74,160-$98,318. This is the lowest to highest salary we believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee's pay within the salary range will be determined by a variety of factors including but not limited to business consideration and geographical location, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience. Employees are also eligible to participate in an incentive plan. To learn more about the American Medical Association's benefits offerings, please click here.

We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity in our workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. As an EOE/AA employer, the American Medical Association will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and veteran or disability status.

THE AMA IS COMMITTED TO IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF THE NATION