Media Relations Manager

About ONE

ONE is a global, nonpartisan organization committed to creating a just world by advocating for investments that improve economic opportunities and health outcomes in Africa. The organization employs trusted advocacy, grassroots activism, political engagement, and strategic partnerships to influence key decision-makers on critical global challenges.

Role Overview

The Media Relations Manager is responsible for advancing ONE's policy goals by engaging with key media outlets across North America, focusing primarily on the United States. This role involves crafting new communication products, developing compelling narratives on priority issues, and partnering with teams worldwide to align media strategies.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a primary media contact for ONE in the US and Canada, cultivating relationships with top-tier media including print, broadcast, and online outlets.
• Pitch ONE's stories and priorities to secure media coverage, targeting Tier 1 and Tier 2 media in North America.
• Support staff around major events and milestones to maximize media impact.
• Monitor news trends and industry developments to inform organizational responses and content creation, maintaining an internal media engagement database.
• Develop, review, and assist in producing a variety of communications materials such as press releases, op-eds, leadership profiles, website and video content, and other messaging items.
• Contribute to social media strategy execution for both the US and Canadian markets.
• Collaborate with North America teams on executing ONE's strategic communications, crafting narratives to support campaigns, government relations, and policy efforts.
• Advise advocacy teams on media and communications strategies to align with political and policy objectives.
• Enhance and protect ONE’s reputation and credibility in North America, aligning with global branding and advocacy positioning.
• Participate in global communications community practices, sharing best strategies and messaging across regions.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Director of Communications, North America.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or related field; master's degree preferred but not mandatory.
• Over 8 years of experience in media, public relations, or journalism, including more than 3 years in leadership or project management roles.
• Proven track record of leveraging media to effect policy change.
• Established connections with leading journalists and media outlets such as Associated Press and Reuters.
• Ability to distill complex policy topics into clear, accessible content.
• Experience engaging diverse media types and audiences, including elite, popular, specialist, and general publics.
• Strong history of designing and delivering effective media campaigns.
• Experienced spokesperson comfortable with on-the-record communications.
• Expertise in risk management, reputation protection, and crisis communication.
• Deep knowledge of the modern media landscape and its varied requirements.
• Experience working with political media in North America.
• Understanding of the interplay between policy, advocacy, campaigns, and media initiatives.
• Excellent proficiency in English; French language skills are advantageous.
• Strong time management, planning, prioritization, and teamwork abilities.
• Advanced leadership, critical thinking, and problem-solving capabilities.
• High competency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
• Legal authorization to live and work in the US and to travel to Canada is mandatory.

Desired Attributes

• Background or strong interest in areas such as poverty reduction, infectious disease, advocacy, policy, and African development issues.
• Maintains strict confidentiality in all professional matters.
• Can proactively operate in collaborative, dispersed teams and handle multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Demonstrates strong interpersonal, communication, critical thinking, and relationship-building skills.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, self-driven, and resilient under pressure.
• Uses sound judgment and makes responsible decisions consistently.

Compensation and Benefits

The position offers an annual salary between $75,000 and $100,000, determined by internal standards and candidate experience. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage; a 401(k) plan with company matching; flexible spending accounts; wellness support; commuter benefits; and life insurance.

Language and Work Environment

Fluency in English is required; knowledge of additional languages, particularly French, is a plus. The position involves standard office and remote work settings with an expectation of being onsite three days weekly for team collaboration. Occasional domestic and international travel is required. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for those with disabilities.

Diversity and Equal Opportunity

ONE is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. Applicants who require accommodations should make requests verbally or in writing. Due to high application volume, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.