Press Coordinator

UNITED TODAY, STRONGER TOMORROW

Press Coordinator

Full-Time / Remote / Mid-level

United Today, Stronger Tomorrow is seeking a motivated Press Coordinator to support our organizing efforts, which focuses on populations across the Upper Mid- and Mountain West. Our mission is to improve the lives of those living in rural areas by partnering with community leaders, local groups, and lawmakers. A key component of this work is uplifting rural voices through earned media channels. The ideal candidate will be a mid-level professional responsible for strategically placing stories in key states and for relevant campaigns.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Highlight UTST leaders and issues through earned media at the local, state, regional, and national levels, connected to our campaigns and programs.

• Generate talking points, spokesperson bios, facts sheets, and other supplementary information for specific issue areas
• Drafting and distributing press advisories and releases tailored to specific outlets and with compelling messages
• Proactively pitch story ideas, op-eds, and interview opportunities aligned with the organization's communications strategy and campaign moments
• Collaborate with leadership, communications, and organizing staff to ensure accuracy and message alignment across all press materials
• Organize and manage press briefings and events regionally and on the federal level

Identify and develop storytellers

• Working with state and federal organizers the Press Coordinator will identify spokespeople on a range of issues including healthcare, jobs, good governance, energy, and cost-of-living issues
• Work with UTST leaders and community members to shape their personal narratives to align with campaign issues and programs
• Lead media trainings for a cohort of UTST leaders who can be part of speakers bureau, that can be utilized for local media outlets (radio, television, podcasts)

Track news and legislative updates and manage a list of media contacts

• Monitor press coverage daily across relevant outlets, flagging significant stories and compiling regular coverage reports for internal stakeholders
• Track and manage all press contacts including outreach activity, pitch outcomes, storyteller interactions, and follow-up actions
• Maintain and regularly update media lists segmented by beat, outlet type, geography, and relationship status
• Track and report on key metrics including volume of placements, outlet reach and tier, and community pipeline health

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• 2–5 years of experience in press relations, public relations, communications, or journalism; ideally in a nonprofit or mission-driven context
• Track record of placing stories in local, regional, or national press
• Exceptional written communication skills, with the ability to write clearly and persuasively for a variety of audiences and formats
• Experience working directly with community members across the political spectrum with a high degree of cultural competency and sensitivity
• Strong organizational skills and a proactive approach to documentation — comfortable building and maintaining your own tracking and relationship management systems
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Collaborative team player who can also work independently and take ownership of their work
• Willingness to travel within the Mid- and Mountain regions for press events and legislative actions to liaison with media contacts
• Ability to work within all time zones including Eastern, Central, Pacific and Alaska, with general working hours from 10am - 6pm EST with occasional virtual meetings after 6pm

Preferred

• Existing relationships with journalists covering relevant issue areas such as clean energy, Medicaid, housing policy, or labor
• Resides in Washington, DC or within one of UTST’s key states (Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Utah)
• Experience with press training or preparing spokespeople for press interactions

This position is remote but with a preference for applicants located in or familiar with Alaska, Iowa, Utah, Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, or Montana. The ideal candidate can work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends if necessary; and has access to a reliable computer with strong internet.

Women, people of color, Native/indigenous people, and LGBTQ+ people are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Press Coordinator position will work 40 hours per week and earn $35 to $40/hour based on experience. If interested, please send your resume and a writing sample or links to press hits to: jobs@unitedtoday.org with “Press Coordinator” and your state in the subject line.