Head of Media Relations and Executive Communications

Responsibilities

• Develop annual plans and coordinate media partnership/sponsorship engagements.
• Cultivate strong relationships with domestic and international media to secure positive coverage for the president, executive leadership, and the foundation that advances Ford’s mission.
• Proactively pitch and place media stories to raise the profile of the Ford Foundation and its initiatives and grants.
• Work with the External Affairs team and Strategic Communications Officers to respond promptly to all routine media inquiries (non-crisis related).
• Write and disseminate press releases for significant grants, institutional news, and other key foundation projects.
• Spearhead positioning strategies for executive leadership, primarily the President, as well as operations and program vice presidents- by drafting op-eds, preparing spokespeople for interviews and speeches, and driving targeted press and social outreach.
• Design and execute structured media training plans to prepare foundation spokespeople for public engagements and press appearances.
• Coordinate with the Sr. Strategic Communications Officer to ensure alignment with strategies for the Office of the Vice President of International Programs and the Office of the Vice President of U.S. Programs.
• Oversee the media relations budget and vendor relationships related to media outreach and media tracking platforms.
• Collaborate with Creative and Engagement, and Insights teams to support, leverage, and amplify earned media results and social media efforts.

Requirements

• At least eight years of strategic communications experience, with a significant background in the nonprofit and/or public sector, and a strong commitment to mission-driven work.
• Prior experience at a public relations, strategic communications, or public affairs agency advising corporate or executive leadership is highly desirable
• Extensive experience in communications planning, message development for a wide variety of audiences, media relations, and sensitive issues management on both domestic and international fronts.
• Excels at balancing two different accountabilities: an ability to work with executive leadership to develop communication strategies that help advance their institutional objectives, and managing day-to-day media relations duties.
• Excellent grasp of the evolving media landscape and the political, cultural, and economic impact of the changing landscape on non-profit communications.
• Thorough familiarity with agenda-setting media organizations and journalists, both in the US and globally.
• Familiarity and comfort with key focus areas including democracy, economic inclusion, advancing human dignity, and social justice.
• Proven ability to build and expand organizational mission through smart, strategic media engagement and story placements for its principals and the foundation in the news and on social media.
• Deep, existing relationships with major journalists, producers, and editors and ability to cultivate and secure major press stories, mentions, op-eds, and media partnerships.
• Proven experience guiding leadership on both proactive and defensive press strategies.

Preferred

• Prior experience at a public relations, strategic communications, or public affairs agency advising corporate or executive leadership is highly desirable

Benefits

• WORKING AT FORD - A hybrid working model and flexible work arrangement policies offer colleagues the opportunity to engage in meaningful ways and the space to maintain a healthy work-life balance
• Professional development and ample opportunities to build your expertise and expand your network
• Comprehensive benefits package designed for your well-being and work-life needs, including medical, dental, and vision benefits effective on your first day
• Generous time off, including personal, vacation, sick, extended holiday time off, and wellness days
• Generous parental leave policy, including birth, surrogacy, adoptive, foster parents, and resources for backup child and elder care that support our colleagues’ ability to attend to family responsibilities
• Comprehensive retirement benefits options (with employee and employer contributions of up to 13%), allowing you to invest in your financial future with confidence