Media Relations Strategist

National Education Association; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

National Education Association in Washington, DC seeks a proactive Public Relations professional to maintain and grow NEA’s media presence. You will manage media lists, craft compelling media assets, and coordinate with leadership to secure appearances across TV, radio, and digital platforms.

The role emphasizes strategic response, monitoring, and reporting, with frequent collaboration across the communications team to raise visibility for NEA spokespeople and surrogates.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or related discipline.
• Four years of public relations experience with a focus on media pitching and writing for diverse outlets.
• Experience implementing earned media strategies and social media tracking for outreach.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and develop media lists and calendar of key dates and opportunities.
• Create press clips and reports; analyze results to inform strategy.
• Draft talking points, op-eds, press statements, and media-ready quotes.
• Pitch Association leadership for media appearances; manage logistics and prep.
• Support Senior Media Relations Strategists in cultivating high-profile relationships.
• Monitor media hits in real-time and pull clips for owned content.
• Assist in media trainings and engagement with leaders, members, and activists.

Skills

Media pitching

Press writing

Relationship building

Project management

Social media monitoring

AP style

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Communications/Public Relations

Tools

Cision

Critical Mention

TVEyes

Headliner

CapCut

Job description

Position Summary

A successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining and developing media lists, creating press clips and reports, analyzing results, supporting the maintenance of relationships with media bookers and reporters, and developing strategies to increase the visibility of Association spokespeople and surrogates across TV networks, radio, digital streaming programs, podcasts, and more. Specifically, this position involves handling daily incoming media inquiries and interview requests and working with the communications team to determine the appropriate level of engagement and strategic response. Maintaining and developing media lists and maintaining a calendar of key dates, events, and opportunities for consideration in building out NEA’s media strategy. Maintaining a keen understanding of industry trends affecting the organization, its affiliates, public education, and unions, and making appropriate recommendations regarding communication strategy surrounding them. Developing compelling research-based talking points that help build narrative momentum and cut through the clutter of a crowded/competitive news cycle. Writing compelling, message-based media collateral in the form of op/eds, press statements, media releases, and compelling quotes ready for immediate media placement. Supports pitching Association leadership and surrogates for media appearances, including drafting pitches, handling the necessary logistics, and managing preparation and research. Supports the Senior Media Relations Strategists in cultivating, maintaining, and nurturing high-profile national print, broadcast, digital streaming, radio, and podcast relationships and partnerships on an ongoing basis. Supporting NEA’s presence at key events and identifying new opportunities for NEA leaders to engage key audiences and lift media narratives. Proofreading and copyediting media content using AP style and/or NEA style guide. Supporting and maintaining media relations management tools (e.g., Cision, Critical Mention, TVEyes, Headliner, CapCut, etc.). Producing daily/weekly press clips and reports for NEA in the News. Monitoring, evaluating, and analyzing media results and creating reports to show results, successes, and lessons learned from specific campaigns or events. Ensuring spokespeople and key surrogates’ hits are monitored in real-time, and clips are pulled for use in NEA’s owned content. Supporting various media trainings with leaders, members, and activists.

Minimum Education Requirement

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or related discipline field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills may be obtained.

Minimum Qualifications

• Four years of public relations experience with a specific concentration in media pitching and writing for a range of media outlets and project management.
• Demonstrated experience implementing the full range of earned media strategies, including social media tracking of stories and use of social media for media outreach.
• Proven experience in communicating with media outlets.

Other Requirements

Excellent communication, planning, social media, and writing skills. Must be able to work extended hours on evenings and weekends. Samples of work products (i.e., writing samples, strategic plans, or creative briefs) will be required at the time of the interview. Frequent travel required.

Selection Criteria

• Tier 1 (Essential)
  • Demonstrated experience in building effective, long-term relationships with internal stakeholders such as officers, department directors, and administrators, staff.
  • Demonstrated experience in building effective media relations into communications campaigns.
  • Demonstrated understanding of how print and electronic communications can be coordinated to support media relations, paid media, development, and advocacy.
  • Demonstrated understanding of media organizations and the needs of journalists.
  • Demonstrated understanding of how initiatives in media relations, paid media, digital engagement, government relations, marketing, and development fit together in a successful communications strategy.
  • Proven ability to take complex policy and repackage it for external users in a variety of compelling and easily understood formats.
• Tier 2 (Significant)
  • Existing relationships and experience working with broadcast reporters, producers, and bookers.
  • Experience using public relations and media monitoring software (e.g., Critical Mention, Cision) to cut video clips for quick turnaround use.
  • Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, and strong attention to detail.
  • Ability to meet deadlines and navigate a fast-paced environment where priorities change rapidly.
  • Strong proofreading and editing skills and attention to detail.
  • Excellent instincts for what drives news cycles.
  • Exceptional organizational, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
  • Flexibility and a willingness to learn.
• Tier 3 (Desirable)
  • Proven record of ongoing communications, professional development, and training.
  • Knowledge of the Center for Communications’ mission and strategic objectives.

Location

This is a DC-based position with NEA's headquarters building serving as the central workplace. Individuals hired for certain positions may request approval to telework in accordance with the policies and guidelines of the staff unit to which the position is assigned. Approval must be authorized by the respective manager and the NEA Executive Director, if required.

ADA Compliance

The position involves skill in using a personal computer, oral and written communication skills, skills in proofreading and editing, use of clear and articulate speech, interpersonal relations skills, reasoning and problem-solving skills, ability to work in a fast-paced environment, ability to sit for long periods, stoop, bend, reach and carry light materials (up to 10 lbs.), and ability to travel by various methods of transportation, e.g., airplane, car.

Equal Opportunity Employer

NEA is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, or disability. Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal. To apply for this position or to search for other openings, please go to our jobs page at Careers at NEA (myworkdayjobs.com).

E-Verify Participation

NEA Participates in E-Verify. Read more here E-Verify Participation & Right to Work.

Wage Transparency Act

NEA complies with the DC Wage Transparency Act of 2023.