Media Relations Specialist II

American Medical Association • Chicago, IL

20h • Hybrid

About The Position

The American Medical Association (AMA) is seeking a Media Relations Specialist II for its Editorial & Channel Strategy team. This hybrid role, based in Chicago, IL, requires three days a week in the office. The specialist will monitor media coverage in real time, update stakeholders on breaking news and potential errors, and assist with writing and distributing press releases. The position involves creating media distribution lists, handling online inquiries, compiling daily media clips reports, analyzing media data, and supporting communications planning. Additionally, the role provides administrative support to the Chicago and DC media teams as needed. The AMA is a unifying voice for physicians and is dedicated to improving public health through its mission. They foster an inclusive, people-first culture that encourages professional development and social responsibility.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, political science, or a related field preferred or equivalent work experience and HS/equivalent education required.
• Minimum 3+ years of experience in media relations, communications, public affairs, journalism, or a related field, including internships or relevant professional experience required.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to write clearly, accurately, and concisely for a variety of audiences and platforms.
• Exceptional attention to detail and strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience in news, media, public affairs, health care, or policy issues, with the ability to monitor and quickly synthesize breaking developments.
• Experience compiling reports, tracking metrics, and working with spreadsheets, dashboards, or media monitoring tools.
• Ability to analyze media coverage and identify trends, risks, opportunities, and emerging conversations.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with media monitoring, media databases, and analytics platforms such as Cision, Meltwater, Muck Rack, or similar tools preferred.
• Interest in health care, medicine, advocacy, or mission-driven communications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Monitors media coverage closely – and in real time – and informs appropriate PIO and other stakeholders of potential errors, breaking news, AMA mentions, and stories gaining strength.
• Writes routine press releases which will include supporting other members of the team on their media “beats” as well as owning their own specific beats.
• Identifies opportunities to extend press efforts with “day two” stories and releases tied to news stories and trends that are supported by AMA policy.
• Assists with press release distribution and notification and creates distribution lists targeted for maximum impact.
• Assists with identifying and tracks new and emerging media outlets for pitching, flags stories for potential input and follow up.
• Creates and updates essential lists in Muck Rack or other media databases.
• Supports AMA spokespeople by developing talking points and by attending conferences and press events.
• Fields online media inquiries on a timely basis and directs inquiries to appropriate staff member.
• May provide pitch support to supplement media team efforts.
• Compiles and distributes daily media clips and intelligence reports to key stakeholders.
• Produces monthly impact reports on media metrics, as well as media dashboards on a quarterly, yearly and ad hoc basis to highlight earned media results and dashboard for KPIs.
• Collects, records and helps analyze measurement data for earned media reports through our media monitoring and tracking tools.
• Monitors and reports on keywords, topics, staff, and other AMA mentions in media.
• Tracks and reports on media hits for the entire team.
• Organizes and assists with communications planning and enterprise communications plans.
• Tracks execution in alignment with media metrics and reports upcoming events and recent actions on key projects.
• Updates media calendar, checks with staff regularly to ensure accuracy of listed events.
• Works with the social media team to ensure media priorities are communicated to that team and supported appropriately on various platforms.
• Helps ensure media team coordination across EC by connecting regularly with other teams.
• May include other responsibilities as assigned

Benefits

• Employees are also eligible to participate in an incentive plan.
• To learn more about the American Medical Association’s benefits offerings, please click here.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree