Media Relations Officer

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (the National Academies) are the nation’s leading independent voice on many crucial issues facing society, such as climate change, misinformation, pandemics, education, science policy, global science collaboration, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. The National Academies give government leaders and the nation the highest quality advice on a growing range of pressing scientific, engineering, and health care issues. Over 1,000 professionals help lead the work of over 5,000 volunteers to coalesce the best thinking of the American scientific community. The Office of the Chief Communications Officer (OCCO) is recruiting for a Media and Communications Officer for Policy and Global Affairs, within the Office of News and Public Information. The Media and Communications Officer position provides an excellent opportunity to join a fast-paced media relations and content strategy department. Our ideal candidate is an excellent writer, with exceptional interpersonal skills, who can work well with international partners and translate complex information to a global audience across a variety of platforms – from traditional and digital media to feature stories and social media. The media and communications officer will serve as a key strategist tracking and disseminating the work of the National Academies’ Policy and Global Affairs (PGA) division to key stakeholders. The individual will serve as a liaison between PGA and the wider Office of the Chief Communications Officer (OCCO), triaging the communications needs for a broad variety of activities, studies, and events related to U.S. and international science policy, and leading integrated communications campaigns across multiple platforms in collaboration with colleagues in OCCO. In particular, the position leads the dissemination of information on major reports, international collaborations, and events related to U.S. science policy and the research enterprise, including higher education and the STEM workforce, along with handling communications about our science diplomacy efforts, such as our wartime support for science and scientists in Ukraine.   Job Description: ***PLEASE NOTE A COVER LETTER IS REQUIRED FOR CONSIDERATION*** ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:   1.    Tracking assigned program division’s activities, reports, and events to gauge their newsworthiness and public interest among various stakeholder groups, and developing accompanying integrated communications strategies. 2.    Developing strategies, in collaboration with senior management, to position the National Academies as global leaders in science, engineering, and medicine. 3.    Creating and executing integrated communications campaigns to support PGA strategies and programs in line with overall National Academies communications objectives. 4.    Collaborating with media and communications counterparts in partner organizations abroad. 5.    Writing press releases, media advisories, report highlights, newsletters, social media content, and creating other digital media assets, and seeing these assets through the institutional editing and review process. 6.    Pitching stories to journalists to garner widespread and accurate coverage in local, national, and international media outlets. 7.    Crafting key messages and talking points and coaching experts on how to explain their findings to lay audiences. 8.    Writing longform documents and social media content summarizing new study findings and newsworthy accomplishments for lay audiences. 9.    Developing and attracting audiences for events, public meetings, and other programs and activities through email content and strategy. 10.    Conducting outreach to stakeholder groups, including NGOs, international partner organizations, and other audiences as appropriate about National Academies news. 11.    Responding to media inquiries and interview requests, cultivating contacts in the media, and serving as spokesperson when appropriate. 12.    Collecting and distributing news stories concerning the National Academies and science policy. 13.    Maintaining database of reporters, including keeping media lists up to date. 14.    Identifying and rapidly responding to opportunities for media coverage on National Academies issues and capitalizing on those opportunities. 15.    Tracking media coverage of the National Academies to create impact and analytics reports. 16.    Organizing and conducting in-person and online public briefings.   NONESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES   • Related duties and special projects as assigned.   JOB SPECIFICATIONS   Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a track record of translating complex topics into clear messages that resonate with public audiences. Keen communications instincts with good understanding of media relations, social media, and crisis communications. Proven success at developing and executing integrated communications strategies and campaigns to attract relevant audiences for events, activities, and thought leadership content. Experience pitching story ideas to journalists to garner accurate news stories. Experience drafting, editing, and disseminating newsletter, email, and social media content, with appropriate metrics to evaluate effectiveness. International work experience and demonstrated understanding of cultural, political, economic and social challenges related to engaging with other countries. Interest in public policy, science, technology, or health policy. Ability to navigate crisis situations. Experience working with leaders of organizations, senior management, and experts in the news. Ability to think strategically and serve as a resource to others in the resolution of complex problems and issues.  Ability to operate independently and exercise significant latitude for independent judgment, discretion, and action. Must work successfully in a team environment and have the skill to form and maintain effective virtual teams. Experience working in complex environments with a high degree of organizational effectiveness. Ability to develop relationships with coworkers and employees in other National Academies’ departments through effective communication. Preferred Qualifications: Experience in communications for nonprofit, university, scientific institution, public policy organization, or communications agency is desired. Minimum Education/Training Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, International Relations, or related field, or equivalent experience. Minimum Experience: Three years of related professional experience in communications, media relations, marketing, and/or public affairs. Physical Capabilities: Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time. Required Licenses, Certification or Registration: None. Supervisory Responsibilities/Controls: Reports to Manager. General direction is provided. Work Environment: Hybrid Office/Telecommute environment, expected onsite percentage 40%, with occasional travel between National Academies’ facilities and to off-site meeting/sponsor locations. Compensation Range: The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine support equity, fairness, and transparency in our compensation programs. An estimated compensation range for this position is $68,160 - $93,715. Compensation offered to the selected candidate will be based on the candidate’s relevant knowledge, skills, and work experience, commensurate with compensation of current employees in comparable positions with similar knowledge, skills, and work experience, and subject to budget parameters. Note it is not typical for a candidate to be hired at the higher end of the range. The National Academies’ Statement on Diversity and Inclusion: To promote diversity and inclusion in the sciences, engineering, and medicine, we are committed to increasing the diversity of the National Academies’ staff, members, and volunteers to reflect the populations we serve. We pledge to cultivate an environment and culture that promotes inclusion and values respectful participation of all individuals who help advance the mission of the institution.   Equal Opportunity Employer: It is the policy of the National Academies to recruit, hire, transfer, compensate, and promote people in all job categories and to administer all other personnel actions, terms and conditions of employment in a manner that is consistent with equal employment, and does not discriminate on the basis of  race, creed, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, disability, medical condition for which a person has been rehabilitated or cured, marital status, family responsibilities, genetic information, political affiliation, personal appearance, matriculation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.  It is also the institution's policy to recruit, hire, promote, and provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and covered veterans who are otherwise qualified.   Any qualification to be considered equivalent, in lieu of stated minimum, requires the prior approval of the Office of Human Resources. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Some functions in this description may be specific to a particular unit of the National Academies and not applicable to other units.