Press Outreach Specialist - Comms

Respect MO Voters is making news across Missouri. The Press Outreach Specialist helps ensure journalists, editors, and local media outlets know about the work we're doing to protect the will of the people and keep Missourians informed.

This role helps build and maintain relationships with media contacts, increases coverage of campaign activities, and supports a coordinated statewide press outreach effort.

Responsibilities

• Draft and distribute press releases, media advisories, and press statements.
• Maintain and regularly update a statewide media contact database.
• Make follow-up calls and emails to reporters, editors, producers, and assignment desks after press releases are distributed.
• Build relationships with local, regional, and statewide media outlets.
• Help recruit, train, and support a team of Regional Press Outreach Volunteers who can connect local media with campaign activities happening in their communities.
• Coordinate with Communications, Events, Outreach, and Field teams to identify newsworthy stories and opportunities.
• Monitor media coverage and track campaign mentions across print, digital, television, radio, podcasts, and online publications.
• Analyze coverage for accuracy, tone, and emerging trends.
• Alert Communications leadership to media inquiries, breaking news opportunities, and urgent response needs.
• Assist with press conferences, media events, and reporter outreach as needed.

Skills & Experience

Ideal candidates do not need professional public relations experience, but should have some combination of the following:

• Strong written communication skills.
• Comfortable speaking with reporters, editors, and media professionals by phone and email.
• Organized and detail-oriented.
• Able to maintain spreadsheets, contact lists, and tracking systems.
• Comfortable working independently and following through on tasks.
• Able to identify newsworthy stories and opportunities.
• Familiarity with media relations, journalism, communications, public affairs, advocacy, political campaigns, nonprofit communications, or community organizing is helpful.
• Experience writing press releases, newsletters, articles, blogs, or other public-facing communications is a plus.
• Comfortable learning new tools and systems.

You May Enjoy This Role If You...

• Enjoy building professional relationships.
• Like connecting people with information and stories that matter.
• Stay current on news and current events.
• Are comfortable making phone calls and following up with people.
• Enjoy helping local stories gain statewide attention.
• Want to play a behind-the-scenes role that helps amplify the campaign's impact.
• This role is especially valuable for someone with a background or interest in communications, journalism, public relations, advocacy, political organizing, marketing, or community engagement.