Media Relations Manager

About us:

Come support the work of Direct Relief at our 155,000 sq foot, state of the art facility, located in Santa Barbara, California. Direct Relief team members enjoy a complete and generous benefits package including company paid health, dental, vision, life insurance, holidays, sponsored gym membership, 401k program, snacks in the breakroom, and a dedicated environment where everyone is working toward our mission.

Direct Relief, a humanitarian aid organization, active in more than 100 countries and all 50 US states and territories, is improving the health and lives of people affected by poverty and/or emergencies. Direct Relief has built its reputation over 70 years, consistently earning top recognition from independent charity evaluators. We are the 3rd largest US charity and Forbes recently ranked Direct Relief #5 in their top 100 Charities. Charity Navigator awarded Direct Relief a perfect score of 100. Direct Relief’s vision is to be the world’s leading, most transparent, and most efficient provider of charitable medical resources to people most in need of assistance. Direct Relief is a nongovernmental, nonsectarian, and not-for-profit provider to people and communities regardless of politics, religious beliefs, ethnic identity or ability to pay.

Direct Relief is seeking a Media Relations Manager, to work on site at our Santa Barbara Headquarters.

Summary:

Direct Relief is seeking a media relations manager to join its team – a relationship-builder with a passion for telling stories that matter, an avid interest in the fast-moving currents of news, humanitarian affairs, global health, and philanthropy, and a willingness to collaborate and learn.

Reporting to the Vice President of Communications, the media relations manager will develop strategy, messaging, and tactics to drive awareness of Direct Relief’s various initiatives, employing a range of mediums and approaches from press outreach (broadcast and digital) to campaign development and media events.

Working with Direct Relief’s diverse network of healthcare partners and industry stakeholders and traveling at times with little notice, you will be immersed in some of the world's most complex issues - from healthcare access to large-scale humanitarian crises – and by joining one of the world’s leading medical relief organizations, you will be working to address them.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

The following duties and responsibilities are essential but do not reflect all job functions performed by this position. Other comparable duties and responsibilities may be assigned as needed.

• Develop and implement a media relations strategy to advance Direct Relief’s humanitarian activities
• Assist in tracking a range of healthcare projects, products, and partnerships to identify press engagement opportunities and respond to inbound press inquiries
• Work across the organization and externally to surface, develop, publish, and disseminate stories related to Direct Relief’s work
• Develop briefings and messaging for senior executives internally and externally
• Draft and issue press releases and social media posts in conjunction with healthcare companies that support Direct Relief’s work
• Serve as Direct Relief’s spokesperson to media and other external stakeholders

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience in or working in the healthcare space a plus
• Strong ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment when engaging with media, healthcare partners, and representing Direct Relief at local and remote events
• Sound editorial judgment and ability to adapt/respond to different online audiences
• Excellent organizational and communication skills
• Strategic content creation and skillful writing ability
• Ability to work independently, with an editor, and in a team environment
• Willingness and desire to explore new digital tools and applications
• Enthusiasm for brainstorming and pitching ideas
• Ability to travel internationally and to disaster-affected areas

Qualifications:

• A minimum of 4 years of experience in the public relations, communications, or advertising industry, at an agency or corporate in-house (healthcare experience a plus)
• Experience with broadcast and digital media
• Excellent communications skills, including experience writing for and engaging with press
• Media relations and strategic communications experience
• Fluency and/or familiarity with digital and social media tools and strategies
• Degree in relevant field

Physical Demands:

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Apply at www.directrelief.org/careers.

We appreciate your interest in employment with Direct Relief. Direct Relief is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state, or local law to apply and be part of our growing team.