Media Relations Officer

The Media Relations Officer manages and executes Muslim Advocates’ media communications efforts and initiatives and supports broader advocacy campaigns.

This hire will report to our Communications Director. The Communications Director leads the Public Advocacy Department, which serves as the communications and campaigns arm of Muslim Advocates, engages with the media and online stakeholders and grows the public profile of the organization.

The Media Relations Officer will collaborate across departments to promote the organization’s work in the media, help to manage and execute public pressure campaigns and advance the interests of American Muslims through strategic communications and media engagement. We are seeking a talented and fast writer with a mature knowledge of the media landscape. The Media Relations Officer should be self-motivated, detail-oriented, comfortable working collaboratively and can thrive in a fast-paced work environment.

Key responsibilities  

Program Leadership

●   Co-develop and shape the media strategy: Collaborate with department leadership to craft a longer-term vision for MA’s media relations work; collaborate closely with the communications team and senior leadership to ensure our media relations strategy aligns with and advances our organizational brand and reputation goals

●   Implement the strategy: Drive day-to-day execution of the media relations strategy; draft, edit and distribute content for the media, including press statements, quotes, talking points and op-eds; build and manage strong relationships with members of the media, including for both mainstream media and for outlets that specifically target American Muslim audiences; prepare members of other teams to give interviews and interact with the media; proactively pitch op-eds and interview opportunities to media outlets, television shows, radio shows, podcasts and other reporters

●   Support rapid response efforts: Collaborate with other parts of the organization to respond to issues as they arise, seizing and creating opportunities to advance MA’s overall goals and mission; work with digital communications colleagues to look out for breaking news and draft social media content.

People and Culture

●   Strengthen the culture: Ensure a safe, welcoming, and inspiring organizational culture for staff to excel in. Role model and uphold MA’s values of creating an inclusive and equitable working environment.

• Demonstrate embodied leadership: Prioritize taking care of your physical and emotional health as a key component of thriving in your role. Project trust & confidence in your abilities and skills and proactively recognize the achievements and abilities of others

Key qualifications: 

Media relations strategy and implementation expertise

• At least three years of demonstrated experience developing and implementing media relations strategies, or has experience working as or with journalists
• Strong understanding of the media ecosystem (e.g., key outlets, reporters, blogs) and the ability to think strategically about how to navigate it to advance our organizational mission (e.g., understand whom we should pitch to, what audiences we’d reach, how our media relations work advances or counteracts our brand and reputation strategy)
• Experience proactively spotting opportunities for an organization to engage the media
• Demonstrated experience in successfully crafting press releases and other key media relations products
• Comfort with proactively and persistently reaching out to reporters and editors to advance our work - e.g., to pitch an op-ed

Ability to Manage in Complexity

• Strong sense of ownership, meaning you care deeply about getting results and have proven experience collaborating with others across teams to achieve ambitious goals
• Strategic and analytical thinker with ability to pivot from big picture to detailed implementation as needed
• Ability to juggle multiple streams of work, prioritize, and problem solve in complex and nuanced situations, including responding innovatively and rapidly to emerging opportunities or concerns and anticipating how others might need to engage, including colleagues that do not formally report to you
• Demonstrated ability to thrive year-round in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while managing a significant workload.

Cultural Competency

• Understanding of race, gender, sexuality and other aspects of identity, and their intersections, and how that plays out in the work
• Demonstrates self awareness of their own multiple group identities and their attendant dynamics, and can adapt approach as needed
• Ability to build strong relationships and trust across race, gender, class, and other group identities, both internally and externally
• Ability to communicate in a way that’s respectful and culturally appropriate to the American Muslim community
• Willingness to embrace building relationships with media outlets that focus on American Muslim communities
• Demonstrated experience working in communities with marginalized identities 

Compensation/Benefits:  

Salary range is $65,000 – $70,000, commensurate with experience. Muslim Advocates offers a generous benefits package including full health insurance coverage, fourteen paid holidays, and an employer 401K match.

How to Apply:  

To apply, candidates should submit a resume, a cover letter describing their interest, skills and experience, and at least two relevant writing samples. Please submit your application to https://muslimadvocates.applytojob.com/apply/vjJU3ilPJA/Media-Relations-Officer

About Muslim Advocates:  

Muslim Advocates is a leading national legal advocacy and educational nonprofit organization founded in 2005. Our mission is to use legal advocacy, policy engagement, and education to promote and protect equality, liberty and justice for Americans of all faiths, and to promote the full and meaningful participation of Muslims in American public life. For more information, visit: www.muslimadvocates.org.