Media Relations Coordinator

Summary

Join IRAP as a Media Relations Coordinator and provide administrative and programmatic support to the organization's press strategy and media relations. You will identify opportunities to highlight IRAP's work in earned media, ensuring the voices of clients and impacted people are central. Responsibilities include coordinating media strategy, collaborating with internal and external partners, building relationships with the press, conducting media research, and drafting press materials. You will also monitor media coverage, provide media training, and identify news angles for proactive story pitches. The ideal candidate possesses strong writing and editing skills, experience in media or communications, and a commitment to the empowerment of vulnerable populations. The position offers a competitive salary and benefits package.

Requirements

• A bachelor's Degree in a relevant field is preferred, or equivalent work experience
• Must have at least 1 year of experience working in media, communications/public relations, or journalism, preferably in a nonprofit or advocacy setting
• Strong writing and editing skills, with an emphasis on the ability to distill complex topics into accessible and persuasive language that resonates with broad audiences
• Ability to work comfortably with clients, attorneys, and partner organizations with diverse cultural and social backgrounds
• Must be highly organized and motivated, able to multitask, manage a high-volume workload, and have excellent time management skills
• Ability to be flexible in a fast-paced and high-pressure work environment
• Sensitivity to the empowerment of vulnerable populations and experience working with people of all backgrounds, for example, LGBTQIA+ refugees or survivors of trauma, in a media context
• Interest in refugee/immigration/humanitarian issues and messaging
• The position is currently based in NYC but could be based in DC or remotely within the U.S
• This position may require occasional travel to any of the locations of IRAP, including but not limited to: DC, Berlin, Beirut, and Amman
• This position can be done remotely or hybrid

Responsibilities

• Coordinate IRAP’s media strategy work in collaboration with and under the supervision of the Supervising Senior Media Relations Manager
• Coordinate across all of IRAP’s internal departments as well as U.S. and international offices to produce proactive and reactive communications related to our work and clients
• Build strong relationships and engage with press across all formats at the local, national, and international level
• Research and identify community and non-traditional media outlets and opportunities
• Conduct reporter research, update and maintain press lists
• Screen press inquiries, vet reporters and outlets, and coordinate interview logistics and scheduling
• Monitor media coverage; track, organize, and analyze press hits and analytics
• Draft press releases, advisories, opinion editorials, messaging guidance, and talking points
• Support with regular media trainings and coaching with IRAP staff and individual clients
• Provide support and coordination for press calls and conferences
• Identify news angles and proactively pitch stories and spokespeople

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with rapid response is preferred
• Experience drafting engaging social media content, especially in advocacy, is a plus
• Photography experience, in particular documenting events or taking headshots, is a plus
• Fluency in languages other than English is a plus

Benefits

• Fully paid family health insurance
• Retirement options
• Extensive PTO (20 or more vacation days, 22 or more public/ org-wide holidays)
• Comprehensive leave time for sickness
• Disability and parenting (5 months of parental leave)
• Reimbursement for work-from-home equipment
• Generous opportunities for professional development