Sr Dir Media Relations

Sr Dir Media Relations

Chicago, IL (Hybrid)

The American Medical Association (AMA) is the nation's largest professional Association of physicians and a non-profit organization. We are a unifying voice and powerful ally for America's physicians, the patients they care for, and the promise of a healthier nation. To be part of the AMA is to be part of our Mission to promote the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health.

At AMA, our mission to improve the health of the nation starts with our people. We foster an inclusive, people-first culture where every employee is empowered to perform at their best. Together, we advance meaningful change in health care and the communities we serve.

We encourage and support professional development for our employees, and we are dedicated to social responsibility. We invite you to learn more about us and we look forward to getting to know you.

We have an opportunity at our corporate offices in Chicago for a Sr Dir Media Relations on our Enterprise Communication team. This is a hybrid position reporting into our Chicago, IL office, requiring 3 days a week in the office.

As a Sr Dir Media Relations Mgr, you will Develop and drive a proactive and high-profile media relations program and strategy that promotes the totality of the AMA's work and impact to various audiences and stakeholders. Serve as key media lead for the organization in critical moments, building strategy and leading execution that solidifies AMA leadership, protects and promotes its reputation and expands reach. Responsible for building and directing a modern newsroom approach to communications by identifying opportunities for engagement, responding to and leveraging breaking news, and elevating AMA spokespeople and messages to priority industry, policy and general public audiences. Collaborate across business units, ensure work is fully integrated across AMA communications properties.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Media Strategy

• Contributes to the development of the AMA's strategy to grow impact and increase visibility in the media; responsible for leveraging news cycles to push out AMA messaging.
• Cultivates relationships with top-tier media, opinion leaders, and key stakeholders, serving as the media lead for EC's top issues and crisis management.
• Develops and implements strategic media plans to elevate AMA leaders and initiatives, expand AMA's reach to new audiences, and enhance organizational reputation through external validation.

Media Relations & Operations

• Develops and directs media outreach plans in support of AMA initiatives and products.
• Directs and manages Washington, D.C. and Chicago-based media relations team in oversight of all media operations and materials, including, but not limited to, press conferences, media briefings, press releases and statements, and other communications collateral.
• Oversees media monitoring and provides regular reports of all media activity and results.
• Oversees vendor partners, ensuring all efforts are aligned to AMA's strategic goals.
• Oversees daily interactions with reporters, proactive pitching, and outreach.
• Rapidly identifies both opportunities and vulnerabilities, acting quickly in both cases.
  
  

Communications & Training

• Conducts periodic media training sessions for senior leadership and board of trustees.
• Provides strategic communications counsel to AMA spokespersons interacting with media on a daily basis to ensure they are prepared and can best represent the organization in response to news of the day.
• Collaborates with spokespersons to develop and deliver effective messaging in support of AMA initiatives.

Staff Management

• Lead, mentor, and provide management oversight for staff.
• Responsible for setting objectives, evaluating employee performance, and fostering a collaborative team environment.
• Responsible for developing staff knowledge and skills to support career development.

May include other responsibilities as assigned

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Bachelor's degree required.
2. Minimum 12+ years of experience in journalism, media relations, corporate communications or similar field.
3. Extensive experience building and executing successful media and public relations strategies.
4. 7+ years' experience in people management required; able to attract and develop talent.
5. Substantial experience working in government, health care industry, high-impact campaigns or associations strongly preferred.
6. Proven ability to work well under deadline pressure and meet deadlines while keeping both long and short-term organizational goals in clear sight.
7. Detail-oriented with excellent writing and editing skills; ability to collaborate across diverse stakeholders to generate compelling content.
8. Excellent strategic thinking and planning skills required; able to build and implement roadmaps.
9. Polished interpersonal, presentation, oral communication, and consultative skills required.
10. Proven ability to build effective relationships with internal stakeholders, agencies, and media vendors.
11. Some travel required.