Media Relations Associate

*** COVID vaccination required. Exemption requests considered on a case-by-case basis. ***

Organizational Profile: Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC (“AAJC”) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1991. Our mission is to advance the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and to build and promote a fair and equitable society for all. For 30 years, we have served as the leading Asian American voice on civil rights issues in our nation’s capital – fighting for the rights of our communities through policy advocacy, litigation, research, public education, and community engagement.

Based in Washington, DC, AAJC is a member of the Asian Americans Advancing Justice (Advancing Justice) affiliation. With our affiliates in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, we work together as equal and independent partners, operate under one name, and strive to speak with one unified and powerful voice to promote justice, empower our communities, bring local and national constituents together, and strengthen our multiracial democracy.  

Title:                Media Relations Associate
Reports to:    Vice President (VP) of Strategic Communications
Term:               Immediately
Status:            Full-time, Exempt Employee, 40 hours/week
Salary:            $60,000-$70,000

This is a unionized organization, and this position is in the collective bargaining unit.

Position Description: The Media Relations Associate will primarily be responsible for developing and managing relationships with key U.S. domestic-focused mainstream, local, and ethnic news outlets, social media, ethnic media, and other channel contacts to promote AAJC’s focus and expertise on domestic policy efforts, producing media content, and responding to media requests and queries. Accordingly, the Associate’s schedule may fluctuate highly outside scheduled routine business hours on certain weeks, evenings, or weekends based on current events or organizational activities. AAJC makes every effort to assist in creating work life balance in the days and hours following high-activity periods.

The Media Relations Associate will develop key performance metrics to analyze the effectiveness of AAJC’s outreach efforts and formulate suggestions to improve them. In addition, the Associate will work collaboratively with AAJC staff to help apprise them of areas of media interest, identify AAJC initiatives and content of potential interest to the media, and help provide creative solutions to communication challenges raised by AAJC staff.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Organizational Leadership and Strategic Planning

• Act as a thought partner to the VP of Strategic Communications to support and implement plans and ideas for AAJC and its various initiatives.
• Work closely with policy leads and all AAJC staff to provide direction in setting communications strategies, goals, and solutions.
• Collaborate with the VP of Strategic Communications, coordinate with local partner grantees, affiliate organizations, and coalition partners.
• Advance new ideas and innovations that align with AAJC’s mission and strategic plan.

Direct Communications Responsibilities

• Build relationships with key media contacts and identify opportunities to proactively pitch brand and AAJC stories through social media, press, ethnic media, and other outlets.
• Identify and respond effectively to emerging public relations and other urgent issues.
• Manage day-to-day media requests, queries, communications, and the flow of information to the media to maintain cooperative relationships with them.
• Contribute, draft, and edit department press releases, statements, and other media content.
• Conduct media training for AAJC staff and community partners.
• Prepare AAJC staff for media interviews, supply talking points, and associated tasks.
• Determine key performance indicators to analyze communications efforts and monitor and track emerging trends.
• Guide, evaluate the effectiveness of media/communications outreach, and report results. 
• Compile a daily news brief and quarterly reports to the Board. 
• Collaborate with policy and program teams on media outreach and content and help provide creative solutions to communication challenges raised by these teams. 
• Assist in the development and implementation of AAJC brand-building initiatives. 
• Plan and oversee press events.
• Research and write briefing materials and assemble press kits.
• Be available to travel as requested.
• Be available to work evenings and weekends as requested.
• Other duties as assigned.

Fundraising

• Collaborate with the development team and provide content for donor communications (media engagement metrics, coverage, newsletters, special and annual reports, etc.) as requested.
• Attend meetings with and provide ideas for prospects/donors as requested.

General AAJC Roles

• Live and exhibit the Values of AAJC, by contributing to an environment that promotes trust, teamwork, and transparency among staff, board, National Advisory Council, affiliates, and community partners.
• Contribute to, establish, and follow policies and procedures, including maintenance of confidentiality, to ensure that the principles of AAJC are implemented.
• Participate in and lead decision-making processes, understand outcomes, and be accountable for decisions made in or affecting their area.
• Understand the values and principles of AAJC and apply them fully in work responsibilities.
• Participate in other activities and serve on ad hoc committees as requested.
• Attend and contribute to AAJC and Board of Directors’ meetings as requested.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree or a commensurate combination of education and experience required.
• At least two years of professional experience in a communications field required.
• Experience with and knowledge of Asian American, civil, and human rights issues desired.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Ability to work well under pressure and manage changing and multiple priorities.
• Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong outreach, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills across diverse groups and various sectors.
• Strong project and process management, including planning and coordinating skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and follow-through.   
• Self-starter, not afraid to take initiative and work independently.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to frame and articulate messages to the media.
• Knowledgeable in communications tools and channels to amplify and promote AAJC. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Content Management Systems (WordPress, Drupal), simple graphics design (Canva, Adobe Photoshop), social media (Twitter [X], Instagram, Facebook), and other digital media platforms.

Application Process 

Send resume with references, writing sample, and a cover letter to Hiring Manager at hiring@advancingjustice-aajc.org or 1620 L Street NW, Suite 1050, Washington, DC 20036. Only applications with all requested items will be considered.

Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC is an equal opportunity employer.