Media Relations Manager

ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the director, Media Relations, the Media Relations manageris responsible fordeveloping and managing key aspects of the media relations effort, which focuses on elevating research, data, and thought leadershipof the Foundation to health and mainstream media outlets nationwide. Working closely with staff across the Foundation, the Media Relations manager will oversee daily earned media activities and contribute to the team’s strategic planning to ensure a consistent flow of earned media placement in support of the Foundation’s mission, Theory of Change, and health equity vision. 

As with staff at all levels of RWJF, the Media Relations manageris expected todemonstratea passionate commitment to equity and the Foundation’s mission andGuiding Principles. 

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Manage the daily activities of the Media Relations team, including supervising the Media Relationsassociate, coordinating media efforts with other Foundation channels, and working withCommunications colleagues to ensure Foundation products (reports, data, opinions) are appropriatelypromoted and distributed. (25%)

• Conduct proactive and reactive media relations and ensure those efforts are aligned with theFoundation’steams, themes, and strategic priorities, as well as aligned with the wider efforts of theCommunications department.(25%)

• Build onan existing understanding of public health, public health media, and mainstream media toserve and grow our network of partners, media grantees, and health reporters who rely upon theFoundation for bipartisan, equity-focused health information. (10%)

• Conduct qualitative and quantitative research that builds on and informs current media relationsefforts including seeking new media,analyzingand measuring the efforts of the team and externalfirms to provide tactical and strategic guidance to improve the Foundation’s reach, particularly intopriority audiences. (10%)

• Serve as a thought partner with staff and leadership across the Foundation toidentifynewsworthyefforts to amplify, as well asidentifyandprepare forareas of potential risk for the Foundation. (10%)

• Work closely with the Media Relations team, providing guidance, mentoring, and supervision on strategy, audienceselection, supporttoleadership, management of media partners, andbackgroundresearch. (10%)

• In conjunction with the Communications leadership team,beresponsible forbuilding andmaintainingrelationships across the Foundation including colleagues in Executive Communications,Research-Evaluation-Learning, Program, Grants Management, and IT to drive awareness, support,engagement, and adoption of media strategies. (10%)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Commitment to racial and health equity and the Foundation’s vision, values, andGuiding Principles.

• Minimum of five (5)years ofprogressivecommunications experience with priority given to candidates with a mediarelations/public relations background anddemonstratedsuccess in earned media placement.

• Experience providing strategic direction on media outreach, digital content, audienceengagement, andcollaboration acrosscommunicationschannels.

• Demonstrated judgment in understanding the value and risk associated with media outreach,especially since 2020.

• Preferred experience in public health and a demonstrated ability to independently read, review, andunderstand peer-reviewed science and interpret for a lay audience.

• Prior experience with media relations analytics and database tools preferred.

• Enthusiasm for the media landscape isand interest in social media is a bonus.

• Demonstratedability to write and edit content for the web.

• Excellent communications skills; proven written and oral presentation skills.

• Excellent interpersonal skills; collegial, energetic; able to develop productive relationships withcolleagues. Ability to work in a highly collaborative environment. 

• Ability to multitask, to work on tight deadlines, and to adapt tofrequentlychanging priorities.

• Strong organizational skills withan attentionto detail. Experience handling multiple priorities effectively. 

• People management skills, including experience in employee development, performance management, supervising, mentoring, andteam-building; able to coalesce a team around a strategicvision and bring a sense of humor and fun to the workplace.

• Ability to manage, mentor, and guide staff to develop strengths of individual team members and tobuild an effective,values-based team.

• Strong problem-solving skills.Identifyand resolve problemsin a timely manner, and gather and analyze information skillfully. Develop alternative solutions and work well in group problem-solvingsituations. Able todemonstrateinnovative and analytical approaches to resolutions.

• Dedicated team player with a can-do mindset who considers others’opinions;understands impact onothergroups;andadaptsto change effectively. 

• If selected for an interview, work samples and prior media placements will berequested.

• Education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree inan appropriate fieldincluding but notlimited to English, communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or digital media.

Candidates whose experience exceeds the minimum requirements will be given particular consideration for a higher placement within the salary range:

• More thanfive(5) years ofprogressiveexperienceincommunicationswith abackground inmediarelations/public relations anddemonstratedsuccess in earned media placement.

• More than seven(7) years of progressiveexperienceincommunicationswith abackground inmediarelations/public relations anddemonstratedsuccess in earned media placement.

BENEFITS

RWJF offers comprehensive health and retirement benefits to employees, generous paid time off, and more. Why work at RWJF?Learn more about the benefits of working at RWJF.

TRANSITION STIPEND

A transition stipend is provided to all new hires to aid in costs related to transitioning to a new job.  

HOW TO APPLY

• Applicants shouldsubmita resume andletter of interest by the stated deadline.

• Internal RWJF applicants shouldsubmita resume and letter of interest through the Internal Jobs Hub appinWorkday. 

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Tuesday,February17,2026, by10 a.m. ET.