Media Relations Specialist

Virginia Information Technologies Agency•Williamsburg, VA

1d•$52,000 - $55,966•Onsite

About The Position

The Media Relations Specialist supports the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation's communications and public relations efforts by developing strategic media outreach and creating compelling content that increases public awareness of the Foundation's museums, educational programs, exhibitions, events, and initiatives. Working collaboratively with the Marketing and Public Relations team, this position serves as a primary media contact, researches and pitches story opportunities, prepares press materials, monitors earned media coverage, and coordinates media visits, interviews, and special events. The incumbent also develops written content for a variety of communications channels, including websites, email marketing, publications, and marketing collateral, ensuring all materials align with the Foundation's brand standards, messaging, and editorial style. The Media Relations Specialist contributes to the Foundation's overall communications strategy by supporting editorial planning, maintaining media and digital asset libraries, coordinating executive and Board communications, and assisting with agency publications and organizational communications projects. This position works closely with internal stakeholders to identify newsworthy stories and promote the Foundation's mission through earned media opportunities while maintaining professionalism, confidentiality, and compliance with agency policies. The successful candidate demonstrates exceptional writing and editing skills, sound judgment, strong organizational abilities, and the capacity to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Requirements

Ability to produce clear, accurate, and compelling writing and editing across a range of formats, including press releases, feature content, marketing collateral, and digital communications, with working knowledge of AP Style.
Ability to execute public relations tactics and communications deliverables independently, with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines simultaneously.
Prior experience in a tourism, museum, education, or marketing environment, with demonstrated skills in writing for publication, coordinating media visits, and managing photography or filming projects.
Knowledge of digital publishing tools, website content best practices, and familiarity with analytics platforms to support content evaluation and improvement.
Hands-on experience with Adobe Acrobat and Photoshop, including editing and preparing photographs and graphics for print and digital publication.
Proficiency with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite, and website content management systems.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Ability to work collaboratively and professionally with staff at all levels, external media contacts, and the public.

Nice To Haves

Experience with an emphasis on communications, public relations, journalism, or marketing, with demonstrated ability to independently produce press materials and communications content.
Prior professional experience in a tourism, museum, education, or marketing environment.
Strong writing and editing skills with working knowledge of AP Style.
Experience with photography management, digital asset organization, or visual content production.
Familiarity with website content management systems and email marketing platforms.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage competing deadlines and priorities.

Responsibilities

Develops strategic media outreach.
Creates compelling content to increase public awareness of the Foundation's museums, educational programs, exhibitions, events, and initiatives.
Serves as a primary media contact.
Researches and pitches story opportunities.
Prepares press materials.
Monitors earned media coverage.
Coordinates media visits, interviews, and special events.
Develops written content for websites, email marketing, publications, and marketing collateral.
Ensures all materials align with the Foundation's brand standards, messaging, and editorial style.
Supports editorial planning.
Maintains media and digital asset libraries.
Coordinates executive and Board communications.
Assists with agency publications and organizational communications projects.
Works closely with internal stakeholders to identify newsworthy stories.
Promotes the Foundation's mission through earned media opportunities.
Maintains professionalism, confidentiality, and compliance with agency policies.