Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the Foundation's media relations strategy—setting priorities, frameworks, and standards for media engagement, and translating institutional priorities into integrated media approaches—to strengthen visibility, reputation, and stakeholder engagement in support of mission impact across evolving news, digital, and emerging media channels.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Foundation’s President and senior executives on media engagement, messaging, and public visibility—including media pitching, message development, and preparation for interviews and high-profile media events.
• Shape and safeguard the Foundation's institutional narrative, ensuring talking points and messages stay consistent and in sync across Programs, Teams, and Regional Offices.
• Position Foundation leaders and experts as authoritative voices with the media—providing coaching and strategic counsel and building and managing the public profiles of the President and senior leaders through high-impact op-eds, bylined pieces, speaking platforms, and executive profiles that advance institutional priorities.
• Approve Foundation press releases, media statements, and briefing materials, and serve as a Foundation spokesperson when needed.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the press office, ensuring rapid, accurate, and coordinated responses to inbound media inquiries.
• Anticipate and manage reputational risk, detecting emerging issues early and leading crisis communications with clarity and speed, including partnering with the General Counsel on adversarial press, litigation-related communications, and sensitive disclosures.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with journalists and media outlets, using coverage insights, analytics, and emerging trends to inform the most strategic pitching and outlet choices.
• Provide strategic oversight of media relations operations, including budget management and agency/vendor relationships for wire services, media monitoring, and select media sponsorship opportunities.
• Establish effective systems, governance structures, and operating practices that improve the efficiency, accountability, and quality of the Foundation's media function.

Requirements

• Generally expected to have 12+ years of progressively responsible experience in media relations, journalism, public affairs, or related fields, including significant leadership experience—ideally representing an organization with the media, serving as a spokesperson, or working for a top-tier news organization.
• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public affairs, or related discipline. Advanced degree in a related field preferred.
• Experience working within philanthropy, public sector, nonprofit, international development, or similar mission-driven organizations.
• Knowledge of and interest in foreign policy or international affairs.
• Demonstrated success developing and leading enterprise-level media and reputation strategies for complex, mission-driven organizations.
• Proven track record positioning organizations and their senior leadership, managing reputational risk, and leading crisis communications.
• Experience advising senior executives and developing media approaches that influence internal and external stakeholders.
• Extensive knowledge of media trends and established relationships with top-tier journalists and media outlets.
• Proven ability to lead large-scale, cross-functional initiatives and drive organizational outcomes through influence and collaboration.
• Strong people leadership experience, including developing talent and managing high-performing teams.

Benefits

• The Rockefeller Foundation offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that includes health insurance programs, tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment, a generous 401K, parental leave, and various forms of paid time off, all to help our employees feel energized, cared for, and engaged.