Strategic Media Relations & Crisis Lead

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

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.