POSITION: Media Relations Manager

Senior Director of Communications & Brand Awareness

N/A

35-hour work week, Monday through Friday

Flexible. In-person attendance is expected during our annual, weeklong all-staff summit. Additionally, participation for in-person meetings is expected at least once per year for most employees, and at least once per quarter for senior leaders.

$64,000 - $90,000 (this range is for the NYC area and will be adjusted for other localities; additionally, factors like skills and experience will be considered)

Health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement contribution with additional option for a match, paid life insurance and AD&D, paid leave time (PTO, bereavement, volunteer, holiday, parental), short-term and long-term disability, pre-tax transit, flexible spending accounts, supplemental insurance, summer hours, and PSLF Program eligible employer

This role is ideal for a highly motivated, seasoned media relations professional with proven experience nurturing relationships to secure high-quality earned media that prioritizes reach and quality over frequency of mentions. The media relations manager will also drive thought leadership efforts; support staff with media coaching and speaking engagements; and craft content for conference proposals and presentations.

Earned media and thought leadership

• Carry out the media relations pillar of Candid's broader communications and brand awareness strategy to position Candid as the premier data source on the social sector and a key resource for information, insights, and trends across nonprofit, funder, and philanthropy-supporting audiences.
• Thoughtfully evaluate press requests and make recommendations for engagement based on alignment with Candid's strategic priorities, reputational impact, and overall return on investment.
• Craft content including messaging, pitches, press releases, and engaging narratives to connect with influential journalists at key outlets to secure coverage that illuminates Candid's data, insights, and reports.
• Advance organizational thought leadership by working with executive staff to develop individual platforms, identifying potential angles and drafting content that demonstrates Candid's value to the sector.
• Bring a wealth of knowledge on a variety of media platforms across traditional outlets, podcasts, digital, and social to make thoughtful recommendations, tailored to topic, that increase likelihood of successful placement.
• Secure coverage to validate priority initiatives and campaigns, including .
• Support Candid's staff in serving as spokespeople with training, extensive interview preparation, and coaching.
• Work with Candid's research teams to fulfill data requests from media.
• Identify and monitor emerging issues and potential reputational threats.

Conference and speaking engagement support

• Execute conference strategy in collaboration with Candid's Partnerships team, identifying prime opportunities to present Candid as a resource and leader in the field to key audiences.
• Contribute to thoughtful evaluation of how Candid can best show up across the sector to add value and advance a specific audience's work.
• Pitch and secure speaking opportunities (both at conferences and more broadly) for Candid's senior leadership, including executives, to grow our brand awareness, build trust, and enhance Candid's reputation at in-person and virtual events.
• Create content, including presentations and talking points, tailored to audience interest and need, while illuminating how Candid can help.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in related field or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum 7 years' experience either as in-house media relations professional or with an agency.
• Demonstrated experience managing comprehensive strategic communications and media relations plans to advance an organization's mission and goals.
• Sound understanding of the intersection of earned media, thought leadership, and executive presence to advance brand awareness and affinity.
• Experience with nonprofit organizations and philanthropy media.
• Established relationships with key media contacts, with a demonstrated track record of achieving high-impact placements.
• Persuasive communicator, with excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Familiarity with Cision or other equivalent media monitoring service.
• Strong working knowledge of PowerPoint, including animations and basic special effects.
• Ability to prioritize both quick-turnaround, responsive needs, and long-term efforts.
• Ability to make decisions in an everchanging environment and anticipate future needs.
• Willingness to perform other duties and special projects as needed/requested.
• Sensitivity and respect for racial, gender, sexual orientation, and cultural differences.
• Champions and represents Candid's core values: We're driven, direct, accessible, curious, and inclusive.

Every year, millions of nonprofits spend trillions of dollars around the world. Candid finds out where that money comes from, where it goes, and why it matters. Through research, collaboration, and training, we connect people who want to change the world to the resources they need to do it. Our data tools on nonprofits, foundations, and grants are the most comprehensive in the world.

Candid's vision is an ambitious one. But we know that when we make investments in our talent, it translates to more access and better knowledge for those working for social good around the world.

On February 1, 2019, Foundation Center and GuideStar joined forces to become Candid, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.