Senior Media Relations Specialist

HADASSAH ZIONIST ORG • New York, NY

8d • $80,000 - $90,000

About The Position

Hadassah is seeking a Senior Media Relations Specialist to help raise the organization’s profile in the United States by publicizing its American and Israeli activities and accomplishments, including those of the Hadassah Medical Organization, its Jerusalem-based medical center. The role secures meaningful media coverage, develops compelling stories and strategic communications, and builds relationships with journalists and media outlets. It works closely with internal teams and leadership in the United States and Israel to highlight Hadassah’s initiatives and accomplishments, as well as the medical center’s research and innovations.

The specialist generates U.S. news coverage, drafts and places op-eds, and manages media relations for national events and programs. The role identifies coverage opportunities for medical center innovations, research, and expertise; coordinates with Hadassah’s Israel PR team and the medical center’s PR office; and monitors media and healthcare news. It also supports chapters and regions, develops media materials and plans, maintains media lists with the Media Relations Associate, and assists the Director, Media & Public Relations, with reports, planning, presentations, analyses, and budgeting.

Requirements

• BA or MA in English, Public Relations, Public Affairs, or Communications.
• A minimum of 5 to 8 years of increasingly senior experience in Media Relations, Public Relations, Publicity, Public Affairs, or Communications at mission-driven organizations or institutions, or at PR firms representing them.
• Track record of securing coverage by major digital, broadcast, and print outlets.
• Experience collaborating with colleagues at all levels across large, complex organizations.
• Experience managing interviews, including preparing interview subjects and troubleshooting during interviews.
• Experience with Meltwater or similar web-based media database and content distribution platforms.
• Experience with Basecamp and Monday.com or similar project management platforms.
• Experience with Canva or similar presentation and graphic design platforms.
• Ability to juggle multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently and discern when to seek supervisor guidance.
• Excellent verbal and storytelling skills, including the ability to write fluid, lively, concise prose.
• Ability to distill and organize information.
• Resourceful, out-of-the-box problem-solving aptitude and excellent judgment.
• Creativity and sales sense in identifying story ideas and placement opportunities.
• Outstanding attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Increase U.S. awareness of Hadassah by generating news stories, drafting and placing op-eds bylined by senior volunteer and professional leaders, and managing media relations for national symposia, conferences, and other programs.
• Identify U.S. media coverage opportunities for the medical center’s innovations, research, and specialist expertise; collaborate with Hadassah’s Israel PR team and the medical center’s PR office to obtain information and arrange interviews.
• Monitor traditional and social media for the medical center’s activities and follow mainstream U.S. medical and healthcare news and the journalists covering it.
• Advise, support, and supplement the media relations needs of Hadassah chapters and regions; keep abreast of local Jewish media contacts and identify ways to generate attention in Jewish communities without a dedicated news outlet.
• Develop polished news releases, news alerts, backgrounders, fact sheets, talking points, FAQs, biographies, media plans, and story pitches in virtually finished form.
• Work with the Media Relations Associate to maintain accurate, up-to-date media lists and create new lists as needed.
• Assist the Director, Media & Public Relations, with reports, plans, presentations, analyses, budgeting, and similar activities.
• Perform other duties as required.

What This Job Offers

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