Manager, Media Relations

Responsibilities

• Serve as a press secretary, managing proactive and reactive media relations in support of AF&PA’s advocacy priorities, public policy campaigns, and reputation.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with trade, policy, congressional, business, and mainstream reporters to generate accurate, strategic earned media coverage.
• Draft press releases, statements, media pitches, op-eds, letters to the editor, talking points, Q&A documents, background materials, and other public communications.
• Monitor news coverage and policy developments to identify media opportunities, reputational risks, and rapid response needs.
• Prepare senior leaders for media interviews, speaking engagements, public appearances, and external meetings by developing briefing materials, key messages, anticipated questions, and supporting materials.
• Manage AF&PA’s thought leadership pipeline, including op-ed opportunities, speeches, panels, speaking invitations, executive visibility opportunities, and high-impact placements.
• Draft executive speeches, remarks, testimony support, presentations, op-eds, columns, and other strategic writing for AF&PA senior leadership and subject-matter experts.
• Translate complex policy, regulatory, and industry issues into clear, concise, audience-appropriate messaging for policymakers, media, members, and external stakeholders.
• Support strategic communications planning for integrated advocacy campaigns, including message development, earned media strategy, audience targeting, and written deliverables.
• Conduct interviews with association leaders, members, policy experts, and external stakeholders to gather information and develop accurate, compelling written materials.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, political science, English, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of five years of relevant experience in media relations, strategic communications, journalism, public affairs, advocacy communications, or a related field.
• Experience working with or supporting senior executives, elected officials, association leaders, or subject-matter experts preferred.
• Media relations experience, including reporter outreach, pitching, spokesperson support, and issues management.
• Experience developing thought leadership materials, including op-eds, speeches, remarks, testimony support, executive talking points, and opinion pieces.
• Trade association, public policy, government, agency, newsroom, or corporate communications experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience writing for public-facing audiences and managing communications projects under tight deadlines.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with the ability to produce polished communications materials under deadline.
• Strong editorial judgment and ability to tailor writing for different audiences, including policymakers, reporters, association members, executives, and industry stakeholders.
• Ability to distill complex policy initiatives, technical information, and industry developments into clear, concise, and compelling messages.

Benefits

• - Paid Vacation, Personal and Sick leave totaling 27-42 days per year (based on relevant experience), plus holidays and paid Parental Leave
• - Two CareFirst medical plan options for employees and their families
• - Generous 401(k) retirement plan with up to 9% employer contribution (after waiting period)
• - Free fitness center and pickleball courts at the DC office location
• - Plus dental, vision, life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account...