Specialist, Media Relations

Specialist, Media Relations

About StriveTogether

StriveTogether is a national network of community partnerships that bring together neighbors, including youth and families, nonprofits, businesses, schools and more, to work toward a future where youth can thrive in their communities. Cradle to Career Network members change the way their communities work together by building connections, sharing resources and using data to put more young people on a path to economic mobility. Our work helps young people meet seven key life milestones so that they have the opportunities they need to reach their goals, and, ultimately, thrive.

StriveTogether team members are community supporters, difference makers and compassionate leaders. We are champions for every child and committed to personal and professional growth. We thrive by working entrepreneurially — embracing innovation, risk-taking and adaptability — in service of our bold mission. We pursue new opportunities while remaining responsive to a diverse and evolving group of stakeholders, including our network members, national partners and funders. Our team is energized by a dynamic, fluid environment and is committed to courage, progress and results as we work to improve life outcomes for all youth.

About You

You are committed to ensuring all children and families have every opportunity they need to succeed. You’re a natural storyteller with strong news sense and a passion for making a difference. You know how to elevate voices, issues and ideas that deserve attention. You’ve built strong relationships with journalists, pitched and placed compelling stories, and understand what makes headlines — and why it matters.

You have a gift for translating complex topics into accessible, engaging narratives, using data to make your points. You’re a talented writer who pays attention to the big picture and the small details, from messaging to grammar and AP style. Whether drafting a press release, writing an op-ed or preparing a colleague for an interview, you know how to tailor messages to resonate with different audiences.

You’re proactive, organized and collaborative, with a track record of juggling multiple priorities while staying focused on results. You bring both strategy and creativity to media relations, always with an eye toward impact.

About the Position

Reporting to the Director, Communication, the Specialist, Media Relations will create and lead a media relations strategy to build awareness, understanding and support for the work of StriveTogether and the Cradle to Career Network. You’ll work across the organization to identify compelling, newsworthy stories to amplify and pitch to news outlets, building and nurturing relationships with journalists. You’ll also plan and create op-eds and other written content to strengthen StriveTogether’s thought leadership across the economic mobility field.

As the primary media contact for StriveTogether, you’ll answer questions from reporters, draft quotes for organizational leaders and prepare team members for media engagements and interviews. You’ll also develop strategies to support the local media efforts of Cradle to Career Network members, including providing consultation to help them amplify their stories in their communities. You’ll monitor media mentions of StriveTogether and network members to measure progress and improve strategies.

Responsibilities and Duties

Media Relations (75%)

• Develop, implement and measure a media relations strategy for StriveTogether
• Identify, develop and own relationships with journalists writing about areas related to StriveTogether’s work, including economic mobility, education, social impact and philanthropy
• Collaborate across the organization to identify and gather information about newsworthy stories and insights
• Create and proactively pitch original stories, op-eds and other thought leadership pieces to media outlets
• Act as the primary media contact for StriveTogether, responding to media queries and redirecting as needed
• Monitor media mentions of StriveTogether and the Cradle to Career Network using media monitoring tools, providing reports to leadership and using data to implement improved strategies
• Collaborate with the Marketing Team to create and maintain a press room on the StriveTogether website
• Prepare staff members to talk to journalists through talking points and media training as needed
• Provide consultation on overall organizational media and thought leadership strategy

Support for the Cradle to Career Network (10%)

• Determine strategies to support the local media efforts of Cradle to Career Network members, including consulting with network members and creating templates, media kits and other resources
• Review and approve mentions of StriveTogether in network member news releases and related materials

General Marketing & Communication Responsibilities (10%)

• As needed, provide ideas, writing and editing support for other content efforts on the Communication Team, including contributing to blog posts, case studies and other content in a variety of formats
• Act as a brand and messaging steward, ensuring that all content and communications reflect StriveTogether’s strategies and mission

Organizational Responsibilities (5%)

• Adhere to company policies and procedures
• Participate in staff meetings, organizational trainings, cross-functional teams and interview processes
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications and Skills

Required Qualifications

• At least 2 years of experience in a role involving developing and executing media relations strategies, including building relationships with journalists
• Experience successfully researching and pitching stories to media outlets
• Exceptional writing and editing skills across a variety of formats
• Ability to work on multiple projects and meet deadlines
• Strong collaboration skills, with the ability to work across teams to surface stories and align on messaging
• Experience with Microsoft Suite, including Word and PowerPoint

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communication or a related field
• Journalism experience as a reporter or editor working in a newsroom or media organization
• Relevant content experience writing about or covering beats related to economic mobility, education, local government, community development or related areas
• Ability to coach others to prepare for media engagements
• Familiarity with AP style
• Experience with media monitoring tools, particularly Meltwater
• Experience with project management software, particularly Asana

Location and Work Requirements

• Ability to effectively use remote work technology, including Slack, Zoom and other technology
• This role has the opportunity to be fully remote or based out of StriveTogether’s downtown Cincinnati headquarters.
• Cincinnati employees have a hybrid work schedule and come into the office three times per week, The dog-friendly office features company-paid parking, a rooftop deck, and snacks and beverages.
• Fully remote team members have access to DeskPass for community desk and meeting room options.
• Up to 15% travel required

Compensation and Benefits

This is an exempt role. The salary for this role is $62,000-$72,000. The salary range accounts for Cincinnati-similar geographic regions and may be adjusted based on the cost of labor of the geographic market.

StriveTogether is committed to fair compensation practices. To ensure consistency, salaries are determined based on the readiness for the position, market competitiveness and fair pay structures across the team. As a result, StriveTogether does not engage in salary negotiations.

StriveTogether also provides competitive benefits and professional development opportunities including:

• 15 days paid time off with an additional four personal days, eleven holidays and a five-day break at the end of the year. PTO increases to twenty days after five years and staff members can apply for sabbatical in their seventh year of employment.
  • Competitive health and dental benefits with up to $2,500 contribution from the organization for HSA for HDHP participants
  • Automatic 3% employer contribution to retirement plan and up to another 1% based on a total of 5% employee contribution
• Options for professional development internally and externally including webinars, conferences and trainings
• Paid parental leave
• 100% paid vision, short-term and long-term disability, basic life insurance and access to Employee Assistance Program
• Cell phone, internet and $250 yearly home office stipend

Application and Interview Process

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a target start date in August 2025. The process below is reflective of the typical process, though there may be adjustments based on need and timing.

• Phone screen
• Hiring manager interview
• Performance task (compensated with a gift card)
• Panel interview
• Reference checks

We encourage candidates to apply by Tuesday, June 3 for their application to be considered

If you need assistance completing your application or require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the interview process due to a disability or another reason protected by law, we are committed to ensuring an inclusive process and are here to help. Please contact us at px@strivetogether.org.

StriveTogether seeks to bring in a talented and engaged workforce from a range of backgrounds. We recognize that you may not have an exact match with every qualification for this role, and that's okay — we encourage you to apply. We value unique experiences and perspectives, and we welcome your application.

Equal Opportunity Employer

StriveTogether provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, domestic partnership status, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

StriveTogether participates in the E-Verify program to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Learn more about your rights and responsibilities under E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov