Head of Media

Centre for Effective Altruism

1d•$140,000 - $170,000•Remote

About The Position

The Head of Media will lead CEA’s media function and help shape how people encounter and understand effective altruism. The role is part of the Marketing and Communications Team and supports CEA’s broader brand goals and mission of building a global community that applies effective altruism principles to pressing problems. The role sets and delivers an annual media strategy, pursues opportunities for positive coverage, handles high-stakes press inquiries, and serves as a CEA spokesperson. It also develops relationships with journalists, agencies, consultants, community spokespeople, partner organizations, and other stakeholders; advises and trains colleagues and partners; and monitors and responds to reputational risks and crises. The Head of Media will build and grow the media function by hiring and managing staff, contractors, and agencies, and will contribute to wider team development. This is a demanding, fast-paced role involving sensitive inquiries from national and international outlets, tight deadlines, and occasional evening and weekend work. The position is full-time and remote in the US, with a preference for candidates in or near New York, Washington, DC, or San Francisco. It involves likely four trips per year, including several international trips. Candidates must already have the right to work in the US; visa sponsorship is unavailable.

Requirements

Experience leading proactive and reactive media strategies for high-profile organizations or brands, and reaching and engaging a wide range of audiences.
Ability to build and leverage strong relationships with journalists to secure placements, correct misrepresentations, and deliver effective campaigns.
Experience handling high-stakes media situations and leading crisis communications.
Experience building, developing, and managing remote teams and external partners, including agencies and consultants on media and influencer campaigns.
Ability to thrive under pressure, juggle multiple and conflicting priorities, and work in fast-paced, ambiguous environments while setting direction.
Familiarity with effective altruism principles and ideas, or ability to quickly develop a nuanced understanding of the ecosystem, and enthusiasm for helping people understand and apply its principles.
Must already have the right to work in the US; CEA cannot sponsor visas.
Willingness to travel, likely for four trips annually, including several international trips.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of the US political landscape and understanding of how it affects CEA’s work as a non-partisan nonprofit.
Location in or near a major media hub such as New York, Washington, DC, or San Francisco.

Responsibilities

Create, deliver, and report against an annual media strategy that supports CEA’s broader brand goals.
Provide strategic guidance to navigate high-stakes reputational risks and leverage positive opportunities.
Shape public discourse about effective altruism through targeted media and public relations activities.
Identify and pursue opportunities for positive media coverage, including at CEA’s flagship EA Global conferences.
Evaluate media activities and report against brand goals.
Build and maintain trusted relationships with senior ecosystem stakeholders, key spokespeople, and major funders.
Identify and cultivate promising media talent and new thought leaders within the EA community.
Work with EA Funds grantees and other partners on media-facing communications.
Establish and maintain media relationships through outreach, networking, meetings, and regular contact.
Monitor and mitigate reputational risks to CEA and the broader effective altruism community.
Lead or support response operations in crisis situations.
Hire and manage staff, contractors, and agencies to expand the media function.
Support broader team development initiatives with the Head of Marketing and Communications.
Provide media-related thought leadership to CEA colleagues and partner organizations.
Manage high-stakes media requests and act as a spokesperson for CEA.
Provide media advice and training to colleagues, partners, and community leaders.