The Senior Media Relations Specialist helps to raise Hadassah's profile in the United States by publicizing the organization's American and Israeli activities and accomplishments, including those of the Hadassah Medical Organization, Hadassah's Jerusalem-based medical center.
This role is responsible for securing meaningful media coverage, developing compelling stories and strategic communications, and building relationships with journalists and media outlets. Working closely with internal teams and leadership in the US and Israel, the Senior Media Relations Specialist will highlight Hadassah's initiatives, accomplishments, and the groundbreaking medical research and innovations of the Hadassah Medical Organization.
Duties and Responsibilities- Increase US awareness of Hadassah by generating news stories, drafting and placing op-eds bylined by senior members of the volunteer (lay) and professional leadership, and managing media relations for national symposia, conferences and other programs.
- Identify opportunities for US media coverage of the medical center's innovations, research and specialist expertise; collaborate with Hadassah's Israel PR team and the medical center's PR office to obtain information and arrange interviews; stay abreast of the medical center's activities by monitoring traditional and social media; follow mainstream US medical and healthcare news and the journalists reporting it.
- Advise, support and supplement the media relations needs of Hadassah's chapters and regions; stay abreast of contacts at local Jewish media; identify ways to generate attention in Jewish communities that no longer have a dedicated news outlet.
- Develop polished news releases, news alerts, backgrounders, fact sheets, talking points, FAQs, bios , media plans and story pitches in virtually finished form.
- Work with the Media Relations Associate to make sure Hadassah's myriad media lists are accurate and up-to-date, and to create new lists as needed.
- Assist the Director, Media & Public Relations, with reports, plans, presentations, analyses, budgeting and similar activities.
- Other duties as required.
Required Knowledge, Education, Experience- A BA or MA in English, Public Relations, Public Affairs or Communications
- A minimum of 5 to 8 years of increasingly senior experience in Media Relations, Public Relations, Publicity, Public Affairs or Communications at mission-driven organizations or institutions, or the PR firms representing them.
- A track record of securing coverage by major digital, broadcast and print outlets
- Experience collaborating with colleagues at all levels across large, complex organizations.
- Experience managing interviews, including prepping interview subjects and troubleshooting during interviews.
- Experience with these or similar web-based platforms: Meltwater (media database and content distribution), Basecamp and Monday.com (project management), Canva (presentation and graphic design)
Required Skills- Talent for juggling multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to work independently, and the discernment to know when to seek guidance from supervisor.
- Superb verbal and storytelling skills, including a gift for writing fluid, lively and concise prose.
- Facility for distilling and organizing information.
- Aptitude for resourceful, out-of-the-box problem-solving, and excellent judgment.
- Creativity and "sales sense" when identifying story ideas and placement opportunities.
- Outstanding attention to detail.
