Job brief
We are looking for a creative and results-driven Media Relations Manager to join our communications team and elevate our brand's voice in the marketplace. In this role, you will build and maintain high-impact relationships with media outlets, identify storytelling opportunities, and secure top-tier coverage that resonates with our target audience. You will work closely with our marketing and leadership teams to execute integrated PR campaigns that drive measurable public engagement. If you are a natural storyteller with a deep understanding of the media landscape, we want to hear from you.
Key highlights
- Develop and implement comprehensive media relations strategies to increase brand awareness across regional, national, and industry-specific news publications.
- Proactively pitch news stories to editors and journalists at target media outlets to secure consistent earned media coverage and feature placements.
- Serve as the primary spokesperson for day-to-day media inquiries and facilitate interview training for senior executives before broadcast or print appearances.
- Lead crisis communication efforts by developing reactive statements and holding statements to protect the organization’s reputation during sensitive situations.
What is a Media Relations Manager?
A Media Relations Manager is a strategic communications professional who serves as the primary liaison between an organization and the news media. By cultivating relationships with journalists, editors, and industry influencers, a Media Relations Manager shapes public perception and ensures consistent brand messaging across traditional and digital news outlets. They leverage media monitoring tools like Cision or Muck Rack to track industry trends and secure earned media coverage that advances organizational reputation and stakeholder trust.
What does a Media Relations Manager do?
On a typical day, a Media Relations Manager crafts compelling press releases and pitches, coordinates media interviews for company executives, and monitors news cycles for opportunities to insert the brand into industry conversations. They manage the internal newsroom, maintain up-to-date media lists, and analyze the impact of coverage using analytics software like Meltwater or Google Analytics. When challenges arise, they lead crisis communication efforts to mitigate negative sentiment, ensuring that all public statements align with the company’s core values and long-term business goals.
Key responsibilities
- Develop and implement comprehensive media relations strategies to increase brand awareness across regional, national, and industry-specific news publications.
- Draft and distribute high-quality press releases, media kits, and fact sheets that effectively communicate company milestones, product launches, and news.
- Proactively pitch news stories to editors and journalists at target media outlets to secure consistent earned media coverage and feature placements.
- Cultivate and manage a robust database of media contacts, influencers, and industry analysts using CRM tools like Cision or Muck Rack.
- Serve as the primary spokesperson for day-to-day media inquiries and facilitate interview training for senior executives before broadcast or print appearances.
- Monitor daily media coverage and public sentiment, providing actionable reports to leadership on brand share-of-voice and competitive market activity.
- Lead crisis communication efforts by developing reactive statements and holding statements to protect the organization’s reputation during sensitive situations.
- Analyze PR campaign performance using tools like Meltwater or Brandwatch to optimize future messaging and demonstrate ROI to internal stakeholders.
Requirements and skills
- 5+ years of experience in public relations, journalism, or corporate communications with a proven track record of securing top-tier media placements.
- Expertise in using PR software such as Cision, Muck Rack, or Meltwater for media list building, monitoring, and performance tracking.
- Exceptional long-form and short-form writing skills, with the ability to adapt complex technical or business narratives into digestible news stories.
- Demonstrated success in managing crisis communication scenarios, including the development of strategic messaging for press, social media, and stakeholders.
- Strong existing relationships with journalists and influencers within our core industry sectors, supported by a verifiable portfolio of past placements.
- Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, or a related field; a Master’s degree or APR certification is considered an asset.
- Ability to interpret data and analytics to influence strategic decisions, with proficiency in tools like Google Analytics or Sprout Social.
- Capacity to distill complex organizational goals into clear, concise, and persuasive messaging that aligns with broader public relations objectives.
FAQs
What does a Media Relations Manager do on a daily basis?
A Media Relations Manager focuses on bridging the gap between their organization and the press. Daily activities include scanning news cycles for industry-relevant trends, drafting media pitches for upcoming product launches or company news, and maintaining relationships with journalists. They spend significant time coordinating interviews for company leaders and reporting on the success of PR efforts through media monitoring tools.
What skills are required to be a successful Media Relations Manager?
Success in this role requires a blend of exceptional written communication skills and high-level interpersonal ability. A Media Relations Manager must be adept at storytelling, crisis management, and data analysis. Technical proficiency in PR-specific platforms like Cision, Muck Rack, or Brandwatch is also essential for tracking earned media and managing outreach pipelines effectively.
Who does a Media Relations Manager work with within an organization?
They operate as a critical hub, collaborating regularly with C-suite executives, marketing departments, and legal teams. The Media Relations Manager works with marketing to ensure messaging consistency, with legal to approve sensitive public statements during a crisis, and with leadership to prepare them for public-facing interviews and speaking engagements.
Why is the Media Relations Manager role important for brand growth?
The Media Relations Manager is responsible for building the credibility and authority of the brand in the public eye. Unlike paid advertising, earned media secured by this role provides independent validation, which carries higher levels of trust with consumers and investors. By managing the narrative and protecting the organization's reputation, they directly contribute to long-term market valuation and brand equity.