Media Relations Manager (Hybrid)

American Medical Association • Chicago, IL

3d • $87,394 - $115,797 • Hybrid

About The Position

The American Medical Association (AMA) is a nonprofit professional association of physicians whose mission is to promote the art and science of medicine and improve public health. The Media Relations Manager works on the Editorial and Channel Strategy team and promotes AMA programs, policies, and initiatives through strategic communications. The role serves as public information officer (PIO) on Advocacy, coordinates with the manager of communications planning to align communications across business units, secures favorable media placements, and advises AMA leaders on positioning initiatives.

This is a hybrid position based in the AMA’s Chicago office, requiring three days per week in the office. The role is exempt and eligible to participate in an incentive plan. The listed salary range is $87,394–$115,797; pay within the range depends on business considerations, geographic location, and candidate qualifications.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required in communications, journalism, or a related discipline.
• At least 5 years of experience in journalism, media relations, or a related field.

Nice To Haves

• Medical, health, or government media relations experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic communications messages for key AMA programs and initiatives, particularly assigned beats, and counsel AMA leaders and senior staff on messaging.
• Meet with senior leaders of business units and Advocacy to plan communications for assigned beats and AMA priorities.
• Assist the Senior Director of Media Relations and Social Media in identifying strategic opportunities, including editorial board visits, op-eds, and letters to the editor.
• Work with Advocacy and other business units to develop media approaches, pitches, and press materials for announcements, issues requiring a response, and assigned media beats.
• Write news releases, backgrounders, talking points, quote statements, and other editorial content to communicate the AMA’s position on timely issues.
• Build and maintain relationships with business-unit and AMA leadership to understand priorities, anticipate breaking news, manage sensitive media inquiries, and advise leaders, Trustees, and business units on media implications.
• Use relationships with Washington, D.C., reporters to secure media placements for AMA Trustees and other leaders and promote AMA messages, advocacy, and programs.
• Develop media opportunities around AMA Trustees’ and leaders’ travel and speaking appearances to amplify business-unit work.
• Serve as a primary liaison among the AMA, its spokespeople, and the media to communicate AMA policies on timely health and medical issues; exercise judgment about when to engage, push back, or refer reporters elsewhere.
• Write media pitches, Statepoint articles, letters to the editor, opinion pieces, blog posts, newsletter stories, and other editorial content as needed.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with media members; initiate contact with national and regional media; schedule appointments; and prepare AMA officers and Trustees for interviews and media events.
• Support senior leadership at events, media opportunities, and speaking engagements.
• Use media management software to target media, monitor AMA mentions and placements, and assess whether the AMA is reaching appropriate reporters.
• Use communications planning software to support calendaring and coordination of tactics and activities.
• Handle incoming media inquiries for assigned beats and as needed, working with business units and subject-matter experts to vet opportunities and with executive assistants to coordinate scheduling and prepare briefings.
• Work with Social Media to identify proactive media opportunities from social channels and media priorities that could be amplified through social media.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Benefits

• Eligible to participate in an incentive plan.
• Professional development support is described as part of the AMA’s employee culture; specific benefit-plan details are not provided in the posting.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager