Media Relations Associate

Institute for Policy Studies (IPS)

Full-time

The (IPS) is a progressive research organization. We work on a broad range of issues and partner with social movements to develop research, communications, and strategies for peace, justice, and the environment. One key component of this work is our op-ed service, which offers free, syndicated op-eds to local newspapers and websites across the country.

IPS is seeking a Media Relations Associate to help place and track these op-eds — and to support our communications work overall by tracking press coverage, posting content to our website, and helping prepare our newsletters.

This role is a great fit for someone who’s detail-oriented (lots of job descriptions say this, but it’s really important for this role!), excited about progressive policy issues, and able to communicate with politically diverse audiences — especially the editors and readers of local newspapers. This position reports to our Communications Director and joins a friendly, supportive communications team of six.

IPS is a Washington, D.C.-based organization with staff and partners who live across the country. We’d like to hire a D.C.-based applicant but will consider qualified remote applicants who can work in Eastern Standard Time as well.

This is a full-time position, with the organization closing at 1:00 pm Eastern on Fridays.

Key Responsibilities

• Pitch syndicated op-eds published through IPS’s OtherWords.org service to editors nationwide. (Roughly 50 percent.)
• Build, maintain, update, and deploy targeted pitch lists of editors and outlets.
• Draft pitch notes and assist with developing pitching strategies.
• Accurately and thoroughly track placements of OtherWords op-eds.
• Accurately and thoroughly track placements of other IPS media hits and compile monthly internal reports. (Roughly 25 percent.)
• Support the communications team in posting content on the IPS website and YouTube or elsewhere as needed. (Roughly 15 percent.)
• Help prepare and distribute newsletters. (Roughly 10 percent.)

Required Qualifications

• At least 2 years of experience in journalism, communications, public relations, or a related field. (Applicants lacking experience but with a related degree will also be considered if they score well on a skills test.)
• Ability to communicate about policy conversationally and persuasively across politically diverse audiences.
• Familiarity using Excel and/or Google Sheets to compile regular reports.
• High level of attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.
• Broad knowledge of current events and public policy, especially issues IPS works on and OtherWords publishes on.
• Commitment to IPS values and mission.

Preferred Qualifications

• Editorial experience at a local or student news publication is a plus. If you have prior experience successfully sending pitches or reviewing them for outlets like these, you’ll be strongly considered.
• Familiarity with posting website content on WordPress or another content management system is a plus. So is any experience using EveryAction or a similar email / database system. We’ll offer training but some familiarity coming in is helpful.

Reporting & Collaboration

This position reports to the IPS Communications Director and works closely with other members of the communications team and program staff across IPS.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $57,000
• Excellent benefits, including generous vacation, 403(b) plan upon hire, fully paid dependent health insurance, fully paid life insurance, fully paid long-term disability, optional short-term disability, direct deposit, and flex time.
• Union representation, this job is covered under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement with the Washington-Baltimore News Guild, CWA Local 32035. The Collective Bargaining Agreement is available .

To Apply

Please send in the following materials in a single PDF to with “Media Relations Associate” in the subject line:

• A cover letter explaining your interest in IPS, communications work, and any related experience.
• Your resume.
• Contact information for three references.
• A writing sample not exceeding 2 pages in length. We prefer non-academic papers — a blog post, op-ed, or press release would be preferable. If you’ve written op-ed pitches in the past, you can also share some examples.

Please submit materials by Friday, March 6th. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

The Institute for Policy Studies is strengthened by our differences in background, culture, experience, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, and much more. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, women, the LGBTQIA community, and other groups that have historically been subject to discrimination.

Excellent benefits, including generous vacation, 403(b) plan upon hire, fully paid dependent health insurance, fully paid life insurance, fully paid long-term disability, optional short-term disability, direct deposit, and flex time.

Union representation, this job is covered under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement with the Washington-Baltimore News Guild, CWA Local 32035. The Collective Bargaining Agreement is available here.