Senior Media Specialist

Avōq; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% Company-paid Medical, Dental and Vision insurance

Paid parental leave

401(k) contributions

Flexible, hybrid work arrangements

12 paid company holidays

Up to 39 days individual paid time off

Job summary

A leading communications firm in Washington, DC is seeking a Senior Media Specialist to implement media strategies for multiple clients. This role involves outreach to journalists, strategic client management, and collaboration with internal teams. The ideal candidate will have a degree in communications or a related field, with extensive experience in media relations. The position offers a salary range of $75,000 to $125,000 along with comprehensive benefits, including full medical coverage and flexible working arrangements.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of full-time professional experience in media relations, ideally in an agency setting.
• Proven track record connecting with reporters and editors.
• Expertise in tracking media outcomes and using analytics platforms.

Responsibilities

• Implement and execute traditional media strategies.
• Conduct targeted outreach to journalists and producers.
• Collaborate with internal teams for comprehensive communication strategies.

Skills

Media relations

Interpersonal communication

Analytical skills

Education

Degree in communications, journalism, public relations or a related field

Tools

Cision

Meltwater

TVEyes

Critical Mention

Job description

This range is provided by Avōq. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$75,000.00/yr - $125,000.00/yr

Avoq's On Air team is seeking a Senior Media Specialist to implement traditional media relations strategies for multiple client accounts, with a primary focus on broadcast and print media.

The senior media specialist will be a member of our Media Division and will collaborate closely with senior and junior members of our team, as well as across all divisions. Team members in this role are responsible for executing communications and outreach projects for a wide range of clients, including foundations, non-profits, issue advocacy groups, public-private partnerships, government, industry associations and consumer brands.

What you’ll do

• Implement and execute traditional media strategies, primarily booking television and radio media tours but also engaging podcast, print and digital media outlets.
• Conduct targeted outreach to journalists and producers at local, statewide, regional and national news outlets.
• Write media alerts based on client messaging and informed by a thorough understanding of media interests in national and local markets.
• Book and produce broadcast media tours (television, radio and online), with some travel as needed.
• Serve as direct point of contact for clients, including day-to-day account management but also responsible for the strategy and growth of the client-firm relationship.
• Counsel clients on media strategy given their specific communication goals for each project; help them identify and clarify goals, taking current news environment into account.
• Collaborate with internal Avoq teams to produce a cohesive, comprehensive communication strategy for clients that includes earned media placement.
• Proactively identify opportunities for clients to jump into a news cycle or cultural conversation and the most viable method, message, outlet and spokesperson for each opportunity; this requires a deep understanding of clients, their subject matter and the news environment.
• Contribute — as needed — to other company initiatives including possible pro bono work.

Requirements

• A proven track record connecting with reporters and editors in a variety of ways and successfully pitching them, including national and local broadcast outlets, traditional newspapers and magazines, digital magazines and news sites, digital newsletters and blogs.
• A keen eye for news opportunities and a thorough understanding of the media landscape (television, radio, online and print).
• Top-notch presence and comfort discussing a wide range of topics.
• Expertise in tracking media outcomes and experience using media monitoring and analytics platforms (e.g., Cision, Meltwater, TVEyes, Critical Mention or comparable tools) to develop targeted outreach strategies, track and measure outcomes, and generate clear reports for clients.
• Excellent writing, proofreading and editing ability.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills — ability to communicate effectively with co-workers and manage working relationships diplomatically.
• Solid organizational and time management skills — ability to set priorities, multitask and meet deadlines in a fast-paced work setting. Spanish fluency is not required, but greatly desired.
• Degree in communications, journalism, public relations or a related field.
• 5+ years of full-time professional experience, with the bulk of that work being media relations, ideally in an agency setting.

Candidates need not possess every attribute listed above to qualify for a role. If you identify with this profile but don’t quite meet all of the criteria we strongly encourage you to apply to joining our winning team!

Benefits

Avōq prides itself on the kind of innovation that is only achieved through inclusive collaboration and equal opportunity. Maintaining a diverse staff of first-class talent (including those from BIPOC, LGBTQ communities, and others from historically underrepresented groups), and conferring a sense of value and belonging on each team member is central to our mission as expert communicators and advocates.

We’re seeking either a Manager or Director and the salary range for this role is $75,000 - $125,000

We offer a uniquely rich benefits package to support our team's quality of life outside of work that includes:

• 100% Company-paid Medical, Dental and Vision insurance
• Paid parental leave
• 401(k) contributions
• Flexible, hybrid work arrangements
• 12 paid company holidays per year, up to 39 days individual paid time off
• Winter break: Offices close the last week of the year

Avōq also provides necessary assistance or modifications to the application process for prospective candidates. If you need support, please reach out to [e-mail] and include your full name and the accommodation needed to assist you with the application process. Decisions to grant reasonable accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis.

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Marketing, Public Relations, and Writing/Editing
• Industries
• Advertising Services