Media Relations Representative

Position: Media Relations Representative
Department: Donor Recruitment
Status: Exempt, Full-time
Accountability: Senior Director, Donor Recruitment and Marketing

Job Summary:
The Media Relations Coordinator will serve as the primary point of contact for all public and media relations efforts. He/she will actively monitor the media landscape and participate in crafting and disseminating the broad communications strategies which will advance CBCO and its objectives. By maintaining relationships with the media, drafting press releases, pitch letters, and other written materials, and coordinating long-lead media pitches with other departments, the Media Relations Coordinator plays a key role in influencing audiences about CBCO and current blood center needs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
– Serves as the primary point of contact for all media inquiries. Monitors incoming requests from the media and is available to handle breaking news issues, as necessary.
– Proactively identifies outlets/reporters to pitch news stories and aggressively seeks media coverage for CBCO news and events.
– Cultivates, nurtures, and maintains relationships with key media.
– Actively monitors all media (print, TV, radio), identifying stories of interest to the organization’s mission.
– Works closely with other departments to help craft communications strategy, coordinates long-lead media pitching and maintains consistency in organizational messaging.
– Helps create, maintain, and disseminate all press materials.
– Sets up interviews with Executive Director and other senior management, as necessary.
– Works closely with Center Communications Supervisor, Events and Promotions Representative, and Blood Drive Consultants.
– Provides support on projects, as necessary.
– Seeks media sponsors for all blood center events.
– Drafts press releases, pitch letters, letters to the editor, op-ed pieces, and other press materials, as needed.
– Drafts speaking points and prepares Executive Director and other staff for public/media questions.
– Maintains interview log, media database, and internal media files.
– Documents all work and provides monthly media coverage reports and project summary reports to management team.
– Provides excellent customer service, cultivating positive working relationships with all staff, volunteers, and external customers.
– Exhibits safety, accuracy, respectfulness, and efficiency within specific job tasks.

Physical Requirements:
– Must be able to see and read from a computer screen.
– Must have the ability to communicate clearly and concisely via telephone and in person.

Job Specifications:
– Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism preferred.
– Minimum 3 years media relations experience preferred.
– Must have existing contacts with mainstream and news media and be skilled at pitching to the media with a proven track record of placing stories.
– Must have knowledge of and experience with media monitoring software/services.
– Must have the ability to think strategically about promoting the mission and its issues.
– Must have excellent organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple and shifting priorities and projects.
– Must have excellent attention to detail and follow through.
– Must have demonstrated ability and willingness to take initiative and work both independently and as a team player.
– Must have excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information from a variety of sources and present to a lay audience in a compelling way.
– Must have highly proficient computer skills with demonstrated knowledge and practical application of Word, Excel and other software programs as indicated.
– Knowledge of blood banking, previous non-profit, and health-related experience preferred.