Media Relations and Content Manager (Nonprofit / Higher Education)

About the Role

A nonprofit federation of 85 scholarly organizations and the leading representative of American scholarship in the humanities and social sciences is hiring a Media Relations and Content Manager to develop and amplify compelling content about the organization's mission, work, and impact. The federation employs a $34 million annual operating budget to support scholarship and advocate for its central role in society.

Reporting to the Chief Communications Officer, this role works closely with the Marketing and Operations Manager and staff across the organization. The position secures high-quality, on-message content and media placements that engage current and new audiences, while strengthening visibility and reputation as a leading national voice on constructive dialogue involving higher education.

Responsibilities

• Helping build and maintain press lists, drafting pitches, and supporting the CCO in securing media coverage
• Tracking and logging media coverage and mentions, contributing to earned-media goals
• Cultivating relationships with relevant journalists and media outlets to increase favorable coverage
• Working with the CCO to develop, execute, and refine earned media strategy across higher education media, philanthropy, general news, policy, culture, and other relevant outlet categories
• Collaborating with program and fundraising teams to develop earned media strategies
• Writing, distributing, and managing press releases and targeted pitches on PRNewswire, including competition calls for applications, award announcements, advocacy statements, and grant announcements
• Monitoring and strategizing around editorial calendars for key media targets
• Collaborating on media outreach content including op-eds, talking points, briefing documents, and background research
• Tracking and reporting on community engagement metrics for earned media
• Collaborating across units to identify and write stories on community members and organizational impact through video, photography, and written formats, ensuring authentic and ethical representation
• Working with external vendors to organize video shoots and develop content including promotional packages, constituent interviews, and social media cuts
• Capturing photography at events as needed
• Writing social media post content
• Collaborating with the Marketing and Operations Manager on strategies to increase reach, growth, and engagement on Facebook, Bluesky, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn, and developing a distinct organizational voice
• Overseeing content development and organization of the monthly community newsletter and announcements including competition calls, award announcements, and grant announcements

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in media relations,