Communications Officer

Responsibilities

• Media relations: Support the director of communications in building and maintaining working relationships with journalists, editors, thought leaders, influencers and outlets. Pitch stories, field inquiries, coordinate staff interviews and help secure accurate, timely coverage of Knight’s work.
• Writing and message developmen t: Draft press releases, statements, op-eds, talking points and briefing memos that hold to the foundation’s external narrative and voice. Keep internal message houses, data repositories and grantmaking dollar amounts up to date.
• Leadership and spokesperson support: Prepare materials to equip leadership and program staff for media interviews, public appearances and high-stakes conversations, including background research, Q&A and briefing materials.
• Monitoring and insight: Track media coverage and perceptions of the foundation to inform how to position Knight’s work in public conversation, backed by performance data.
• Vendors and project management: Work with external communications vendors across public relations, speechwriting and event production. Edit and manage freelance writers for Knight’s owned editorial content.
• Convenings: Support program development, talking-points, event communications, including invitations and relationships with peer funders, grantees, high-profile guests and the press before, during and after events. Partner with the convenings project manager, who leads logistics and execution, and with the marketing and creative team on brand and creative. Expect hands-on support onsite, with occasional evenings, weekends and travel.
• Cross-functional partnership: Keep communications, marketing, convenings and program teams in step so media, campaign and field engagement line up.

Requirements

• You understand the essential role of the First Amendment in a democracy.
• You have strong command of AP style, experience in communications, media relations or journalism and a deep understanding of the media landscape and the narratives shaping public conversation and civic discourse today.
• You’re organized, respect deadlines, have or are willing to build relationships with reporters and influencers, and have experience managing vendors and editing writers.
• You own your areas of responsibility, work with growing independence, spot risks early and know when to escalate.
• You keep pace when priorities shift, and you do your best work on a small team.
• Experience in media relations, communications or journalism, with a track record of owning defined areas of work with increasing independence.
• Exceptional writing and editing on deadline, with command of AP style.
• Strong news judgment and demonstrated media relations results or reported work: pitches placed, reporter relationships built and coverage earned.
• Sound judgment and discretion with sensitive, embargoed or high-profile information and the instinct to escalate issues appropriately.
• Comfort supporting live events, including preproduction and hands-on execution on site.

Preferred

• Journalism experience, or non-profit communications experience.
• Familiarity with media monitoring and coverage analysis tools.
• Proficiency with a leading content management system (e.g., WordPress) and email marketing platforms such as Mailchimp and RSVPify.
• Experience with project management tools such as Monday, Asana and Airtable.
• Adobe Creative Suite skills.
• Experience with or openness to using artificial intelligence to streamline processes and increase efficiency.

Benefits

• Knight Foundation offers competitive pay and a generous benefits package.