Arena Careers

Position Title: Lead Media Relations Manager

Position Location: Candidates are welcome to apply from across the U.S. Those that are near a Popular Democracy office in DC or Brooklyn may be asked to work from the office one or two days/week if necessary. Applicants outside of those areas may be required to travel to a Popular Democracy office occasionally.

Popular Democracy is seeking a Lead Media Relations Manager to join the Communications and Narrative Department. This is a full-time, exempt position.

About Popular Democracy:

Popular Democracy works to promote equity, opportunity, and a dynamic democracy in partnership with innovative base-building organizations, organizing networks and alliances, and progressive unions across the country. We work with 50 affiliates in 34 states and DC to build the strength and capacity of democratic organizations that envision and advance a pro-worker, pro-immigrant, racial and economic justice agenda. We are a rapidly-expanding, changing organization that partners with organizations across the country to build political power and win tangible victories that improve the lives of low-wage workers, immigrants, and communities of color.

About the Position:

We are seeking a Lead Media Relations Manager to develop and implement comprehensive earned, paid, and owned media strategies in deep partnership with internal and external stakeholders, including Popular Democracy’s Communications and Narrative, Fightback, and Organizing teams. This position is responsible for building narrative power for Black, brown and working class people and strengthening Popular Democracy’s brand through proactive and responsive media engagement, developing strategic messaging, and building strong relationships with journalists and media outlets.

It is expected that the Lead Media Relations Manager will travel and attend in-person trainings, meetings, actions and events 1-2 times a month on average.

We estimate that candidates will have about 12 years of relevant experience, but our review of candidates for this role will focus on whether they can fill the needs of the position, not years of experience.

The Lead Media Relations Manager will report to the Chief of Communications and Narrative.

Primary Responsibilities:

The Lead Media Relations Manager will:

• Develop and execute media relations strategies for the organization, from rapid-response moments to long-term narratives, that help move people in power, inform and educate our base and position Popular Democracy as a thought leader in the progressive space.
• Support Popular Democracy’s network of affiliates with media relations strategies by training and prepping spokespeople, helping them earn media coverage and increasing their capacity overall to use press to build power for their campaigns.
• Create systems and strategies to effectively manage media requests, prepare spokespeople, develop media relationships, track and summarize media hits, and develop and maintain media lists.
• Develop deep relationships with political, progressive, Black, Latinx or other relevant journalists across print, radio, broadcast and/or podcasts.
• Craft compelling messaging and press materials—including press releases, statements, media pitches, and op-eds—that reflect Popular Democracy’s values, priorities, and voice.
• Monitor political, media, and cultural trends to identify strategic opportunities for proactive storytelling and rapid response.
• Provide strategic media guidance and messaging support to internal teams, ensuring consistency and clarity across platforms.
• Plan events and trainings as needed to achieve objectives.
• Other related duties as needed and assigned.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Demonstrated ability to craft messages and produce clear, compelling communications materials that tackle complex issues for wide audiences.
• Demonstrated success driving media relations strategies for issue campaigns in print, radio, television, and podcasts, including pitching and placing stories.
• The ability to distill and communicate complex ideas to a variety of audiences, from government and corporate decision makers to people who are directly impacted by our issues.
• Deep relationships with political, progressive, Black, Latinx or other relevant journalists and podcasters and the ability to build new relationships.
• A creative, open, and innovative mind energetically searching for new solutions.
• Ability to anticipate needs and plan accordingly, problem-solve, coordinate complex activities, prioritize multiple demands, and meet deadlines with high attention to detail, accuracy and quality.
• Strong, self-directed work ethic.
• Demonstrated project management skills.
• A strong interest in current events with a passion for writing and storytelling.
• Strong racial equity analysis and experience in communicating about Black, brown and working communities.
• Ability to speak and write in Spanish preferred but not required.
• A demonstrated commitment to social, racial, and economic justice and a deep understanding of challenges facing low-wage workers, immigrant communities, communities of color, disabled people, LGBTQ+ folks, and people at the intersections of the above communities.

Salary and Benefits:

This position is included in a collective bargaining unit represented by the Washington-Baltimore News Guild. Specific employment terms are subject to a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The salary for this category 4 position is determined by a salary calculation system that is set by the CBA and is not negotiable. The starting salary is $96,500 and can increase up to $106,500, depending on a variety of factors as described in the CBA.

We have a generous benefits package, including health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 15 vacation days your first year, 12 sick days per year, additional PTO, including holidays, and contributions to individuals’ 401K plans.

Popular Democracy is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and actively recruits people of color, womxn, individuals with disabilities, and members of the LGBTIQAA+ community.