Americans United for Separation of Church and State is a nonpartisan educational and advocacy organization dedicated to advancing the constitutional principle of church-state separation as the only way to ensure freedom of religion, including the right to believe or not believe, for all people in the United States. Founded in 1947, Americans United is a diverse and dynamic organization composed of people from all walks of life: lawyers and lobbyists, students and activists, religious leaders and impassioned Americans.
The organization includes people of faith and people who don’t profess any particular faith. It is a community that includes and welcomes people of all genders, races, ethnicities, religions or beliefs, gender identities, sexual orientations, ages, classes and abilities. Because it works on a wide variety of issues with many different communities, Americans United values what diversity and diverse perspectives bring to its work.
Americans United uses high-impact litigation, lobbying, and grassroots advocacy to ensure that religion does not dictate public policy; the government does not tell Americans what to believe or how to practice their faith; and discrimination is not justified under the guise of religious beliefs.
Americans United is a 501(c)(3) organization and is headquartered in Washington, DC. This role can work remotely from anywhere in the U.S. or locally in our Washington, DC office. Occasional in-person attendance at events and meetings will be required.
Job Summary
The Media Relations Manager’s primary role is to ensure that AU’s objectives and achievements are communicated efficiently and effectively to the media. The Media Relations Manager will help plan and direct the organization’s press strategy, coordinate organizational response to media inquiries, schedule interviews, pitch stories about the organization and its work, place op-eds, send press releases, monitor press and report on press hits, build and maintain relationships with the media, assess and research unfamiliar/emerging news outlets and manage press events. The candidate must have extensive media contacts at top-tier outlets, including cable news. This role does not include acting as a spokesperson for the organization; rather, the goal is to elevate the profile of the organization and its President.
Essential Functions
- Builds relationships with local and national reporters to book AU team members for media spots at the top TV, print, radio, podcast and online outlets
- Respond to media inquiries, schedule interviews, help AU team members to prepare for those interviews
- Pitch AU stories to media and AU op-eds to premier outlets
- Distribute press releases to media
- Monitor news to determine how AU is portrayed by the media and compile internal reports and tracking
- Coordinate, with VP of Comms, rapid response to developing news stories that concern AU’s issues (aka, newsjacking)
- Draft press releases, talking points, interview prep documents, and other media- and press-related documents
- Serve as the main point of contact for all media
- Use Cision (or similar media-monitoring software) to track earned media and contact reporters
Skills & Knowledge
- Experience working with the press
- Outstanding attention to detail and the ability to juggle priorities under tight deadlines
- Superior writing, editing and speaking abilities
- Able to produce text quickly and accurately
- Familiar with the press and what reporters require
- The ability to perform extensive research
- Ability to exhibit professional demeanor in fast-paced and high-pressure work environment
- Ability to prioritize and manage a wide array of projects to completion
- Reliable communicator, organized
Experience & Education
- Extensive media contacts at top-tier outlets, including cable news, and ability to manage and prioritize those contacts
- 4 years experience working in or with media in public relations, journalism
- A Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, public relations, communications, or related field; or equivalent experience
Compensation
The anticipated salary will be $72,000 to $92,000, with a small upward locality adjustment for higher-cost geographic areas. AU offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes 100% employer-paid health insurance for the employee and all dependents.
COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
Americans United has made the safety of our staff and our surrounding community a top priority. As part of that commitment, we have implemented a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy. This policy states that all Americans United employees, fellows, and interns are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and to have received a bivalent booster shot. If a candidate selected for hire desires a medical or religious exemption, the candidate should make a request to our human resources personnel, and the request will be considered in accordance with applicable law.
How to Apply
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Please submit a thoughtful, relevant cover letter and resume.
Individuals from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. Americans United is an equal opportunity employer. We consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.