The Director of Media and Public Relations shapes and executes strategies to promote the Reporters Committee in the media and among core audiences. The ideal candidate is a strategic communicator who can navigate the intersection of media law and journalism.The Director of Media and PR is skilled at securing top-tier coverage and building relationships with national, local, legal, and media reporters. They drive proactive and rapid-response media strategy, working closely with the Legal and Policy teams to pitch and promote the organization, its work, and its spokespeople. Together, these efforts position the Reporters Committee as a thought leader and the nation’s leading legal services nonprofit serving working journalists.This position reports to the Vice President of Communications.Key ResponsibilitiesMedia StrategyLead day-to-day media relations strategy to maximize visibility and reach among core and new audiencesIntegrate outreach across print, broadcast, digital, and emerging platformsBuild and maintain relationships with journalists, editors, and producers across relevant beats (media, national news, national security, legal, Supreme Court/DOJ, local news)Proactively pitch and place stories, op-eds, and interviews on the Reporters Committee's work and impactMonitor the media environment and respond rapidly to breaking newsDraft and distribute press releases, media statements, op-eds, and talking pointsIdentify emerging opportunities and prepare leadership and spokespeople for interviews, public appearances, and speaking engagementsDesign communications plans for major program initiatives, research reports, policy initiatives, events, and public announcementsTrack communications performance and recommend strategies to expand audience engagement and influencePartner with the legal team and program staff to develop executive summaries, fact sheets, graphics, and presentationsPartner with the VP of Communications and other departments to ensure message alignment across programs, staff, and boardConferences & EventsOversee conference and events strategy to position the Reporters Committee as a thought leaderPitch conference proposals, secure speakers and panelists, and manage the events sponsorship budgetCreate briefing materials and coordinate press logisticsLead PR for annual Awards dinner, weaving the Reporters Committee's story and impact in the lead-up to the event, throughout the program, and after the eventProvide onsite event support as neededManage invitations to key media contacts for stakeholder eventsOrganizational & Team LeadershipManage the media coordinator and relationships with outside consultants supporting brand, events, and strategyWork closely with the Senior Manager of Communications and Senior Editorial Manager to ensure integrated campaign execution across channelsContribute to communications planning for annual conferences, events, and key milestonesAdvise on reputation risk, proactive positioning, and crisis communications planningOther duties as assigned
