Media Relations Manager

ONE is a global, nonpartisan organization fighting for a more just world by demanding the investments needed to create economic opportunities and healthier lives in Africa. We deploy trusted and dynamic advocacy that leverages hard-hitting data, credible grassroots activism, creative political engagement, and strategic partnerships to influence decision-makers and tackle the world’s biggest challenges.

About the role

The Media Relations Manager will help ONE achieve its policy-changing objectives through media engagement with priority media outlets across North America, with special emphasis in the US. They will play a key role in developing new communications products and approaches and coordinating compelling narratives around priority issues for use by all teams across North America. The Manager will have a solid understanding of how proactive media engagement can bring about policy change, demonstrable experience engaging media in the US and Canada, and the ability to concisely and persuasively communicate complex issues. They will lead the development and execution of the media strategy under the direction of the Director of Communications, North America, and collaborate with ONE’s communications staff globally.

Responsibilities

• Serve as one of the primary media liaisons for ONE in the United States and Canada.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with elite media, reporters, and partners; pitch coverage of ONE, our narratives, and priorities to North American print, broadcast, and online media outlets.
• Secure media coverage for ONE’s issues in outlets with a primary emphasis on Tier 1 and 2 media in the US and Canada.
• Support ONE staff around key milestones and events.
• Monitor news and industry associations for trends, best practices, and emerging issues to inform organizational strategy.
• Ensure ONE staff have access to media content and mentions, maintaining an internal database of outlets and access accounts.
• Produce and review media relations products, including press releases, op-eds, leadership profiles, website content, video, and other messaging materials.
• Assist in developing and executing social media strategies for ONE in America and ONE in Canada market channels.
• Collaborate with North America teams to execute ONE’s strategy as set by the Executive Director and North America Leadership Team.
• Craft narratives and support for campaigns, government relations, and policy activities.
• Advise on communications and media strategies for the North America Advocacy team.
• Promote, enhance, and protect ONE’s reputation in North America, overseeing strategies to reinforce and defend ONE’s credibility and global brand.
• Contribute to the global communications community of practice by sharing best practices, strategies, messaging, and products.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Communications, North America.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a related field; a master’s degree is preferred but not required.
• 8+ years of experience in media, public relations, or journalism, plus 3+ years’ experience managing a team or in a project-lead capacity.
• Proven ability to leverage media relations to deliver policy change.
• Established network of relationships with key journalists and media, including the Associated Press, Reuters, and other Tier 1 outlets.
• Ability to synthesize complicated policy issues into digestible products.
• Experience with both elite and popular media, as well as specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Excellent track record of developing and delivering effective media strategies.
• Significant experience speaking on the record.
• Significant experience in risk and reputation management, and crisis communications.
• Thorough understanding of the evolving media landscape and the requirements of different kinds of modern media.
• Significant experience working with political media in North America.
• Strong understanding of the links between policy, advocacy, campaigning, and media work.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills; fluency in French is an asset.
• Excellent time management, forward-planning, and prioritization skills.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment and strong interpersonal skills.
• Advanced leadership skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
• Ability to live and work in the United States, and legal authority to travel to Canada, is required.

Other attributes

• Related work history in poverty and infectious disease alleviation, advocacy, policy, legislation, and/or demonstrable interest in Africa and the issues ONE supports is an asset.
• Ability to maintain the highest degree of confidentiality regarding all aspects of work.
• Ability to work proactively in a collaborative and distributed environment, manage multiple shifting priorities under tight deadlines, and perform in a fast-paced, team-oriented setting.
• Collaborative mindset and strong interpersonal skills.
• Critical thinking, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Analytical, action-oriented, and results-focused.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated.
• Ability to remain positive in high-pressure and stressful situations.
• Consistent application of good judgment and ability to make responsible decisions.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
• Wellness benefit.
• Commuter benefit.
• Life insurance.

Pay

$75,000 - $100,000 annual salary.

Schedule

• Standard office and remote work environment; expectation to be in the office 3 days per week.
• Light international and domestic travel is required.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Language skills

Fluency in English required. Familiarity with additional languages, especially French, is an asset.