Media Relations Manager

About NYLAG:

Founded in 1990, NYLAG is a leading civil legal services organization combatting economic, racial, and social injustice by advocating for people experiencing poverty or in crisis. Our services include comprehensive, free civil legal services, financial empowerment, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community partnerships. NYLAG exists because wealth should not determine who has access to justice. We aim to disrupt systemic racism by serving individuals and families whose legal and financial crises are often rooted in racial inequality. NYLAG goes to where the need is, providing services in more than 150 community sites (e.g. courts, hospitals, libraries) and on our Mobile Legal Help Center. During COVID-19, most of our services were virtual to keep our community safe. NYLAG’s staff of 380 impacted the lives of nearly 129,000 people last year.

Job description

NYLAG seeks an experienced communications professional to join our growing team. The Media Relations Manager will drive earned media strategies under the supervision of and in collaboration with the Director of Communications to continue growing NYLAG’s media presence, highlighting our executive and programmatic teams’ expertise while driving key narratives around how, why, and with whom we do our work. The Manager will also collaborate with other NYLAG colleagues such as leadership, program directors and staff, development, and government relations, as well as external partners such as funders, clients, and elected officials/their staff.

Duties and Responsibilities

In close collaboration with the Director of Communications, the Media Relations Manager will support the strategy and execution of all earned media processes to elevate NYLAG’s work and mission in the media, following annual strategic plans and rapid response needs as they arise. Primarily, the position will:

• Take the lead on media correspondence:
  • produce press materials and execute distribution for announcements, campaigns, statements, and other media opportunities (e.g., spearhead drafting for press releases/quotes/statements, facilitate approval processes, etc.);
  • develop (in partnership with Director of Communications) and send pitches;
  • serve as press contact, maintain key relationships with and field inquiries from reporters/producers/bookers/etc., keep organized press lists up to date;
• Stay up to date on and have a firm grasp of relevant news to identify media opportunities:
  • track media coverage, both of NYLAG and of current events relevant to our work;
  • keep website updated with NYLAG mentions;
• Work with staff throughout the organization to ensure media training/preparedness, including facilitating/staffing interviews; and
• Assist with other communications needs as necessary

Qualifications

REQUIRED

• At least 3-5 years in a fast-paced comms shop (political campaigns/government, advocacy nonprofits, etc.) with experience interacting directly with members of the press
• The ability to produce strong, on-message writing within deadlines for a variety of media related deliverables
• Demonstrable success in securing placements across media (traditional and new) landscape
• A deep understanding of and commitment to racial, economic, and social justice, and the role of communications in humanizing NYLAG’s clients/people experiencing poverty or crisis
• The ability to connect individual circumstances (i.e., NYLAG’s direct services work) to systemic problems and solutions (i.e., community-centered outreach, policy advocacy, etc.)
• Comfort with adapting to new/changing priorities, staying organized, and communicating clearly both within and beyond the team

NOT REQUIRED, BUT A PLUS

• Experience in New York politics/adjacent work (City and/or State)
• Familiarity with state and local policy and their impacts

NYLAG’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

NYLAG is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, veterans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people, and those with lived experiences in the communities we serve are strongly encouraged to apply.

Employment type:

Full-time

Professional Level:

Managerial

Salary Range: The current salary range for this position is between $80,000 and $90,000 annually, depending on experience.

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401k, life insurance, long term disability, commuter benefits, flexible spending accounts (FSA) for Medical and Dependent care.

Application Instructions: Please save resume, cover letter, and at least 2 relevant work samples you feel capture your style and experience all in one pdf.

Covid Vaccination Policy: Please note, to safeguard the health and well-being of our employees and clients, NYLAG requires all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, unless a medical or religious exemption is approved.

NYLAG is committed to a hybrid work policy for staff whose work does not require their full-time presence in the office. NYLAG’s current policy is that most staff are required to work in NYLAG’s offices or do other in-person work at least two days each week. This policy is subject to change.