Director, Media Relations

For consideration for this position, please send your resume to Kim Miller at kim@shadowsearch.co.

Job Summary

Directs API’s media relations efforts and identifies targeted opportunities to proactively tell the industry’s story. Strengthens API’s media relationships, builds awareness of API policy positions, manages executive visibility efforts and develops comprehensive earned media campaigns. Serves as a communications liaison to API policy departments and works collaboratively across the organization to develop compelling public messaging and advise issue experts on external positioning. Manages industry media crises and identifies ways to advance the industry narrative. Provides strategic counsel to API executives and member companies. Manages member(s) of API’s media team and outside consultants. 

Duties/Responsibilities

• Supports the mission, strategy, and objectives of the communications department and API’s integrated advocacy efforts. 
• Leads day-to-day media activity, including proactive and reactive engagement with national reporters, inside-the-beltway and state reporters, TV/radio producers and podcasts. 
• Maintains and strengthens relationships with key members of the press and exercises strong judgment while representing the organization to external audiences.
• Operates as a team-player and supports collaboration across the communications department and with other members of the media team to maximize day-to-day external engagement and support overall team culture. 
• Identifies proactive opportunities to stay ahead of the news cycle and navigate an evolving media landscape.
• Provides strategic input and guidance to the senior communications team, API leadership team and API executive team as needed.  
• Advises and staffs API issue experts and senior executives for media interviews and speaking engagements and prepares compelling messaging and briefing materials.
• Monitors the news and flags relevant articles with suggestions for strategic approach/rapid response as needed. 
• Leads executive visibility efforts, including public speaking engagements and thought leadership opportunities for API executives. 
• Drafts, edits, and manages the creation of high-quality written media products, including press releases, advisories, public statements, social media content, executive briefings, speeches and op-eds.
• Leads API’s TV booking strategy for key executives.
• Manages external messaging on key issue priorities and collaborates across the organization to support message consistency and accuracy. 
• Works closely with segments/campaign teams across API to ensure successful and timely executive of earned media campaigns. 
• Manages external consultants to ensure the successful execution of media and issue priorities.  
• Provides excellent customer/member service to internal stakeholders including executive/leadership staff and external stakeholders including member companies and allied trade organizations.
• Ensures collaboration and coordination with external partners such as third parties, allied trades, and OGAs to amplify industry messaging.
• Supervises media team member(s), providing coaching, mentorship and guidance on media issues.
• Proactively identifies ways to consistently improve team operations, drive integration and increase coordination and efficiency across API communications functions and department activity. 
   

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervises media team member(s), providing coaching, mentorship and guidance on media issues. 

Key Relationships

• Members of the media team and the communications department 
• The Senior Director of Communications and Public Affairs
• The Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs
• The Senior Vice President of Communications.
• Other Executive Staff.
• Outside consultants.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of experience. 
• Strong background in media relations, including on-the-record experience in government, political campaigns, corporations or trade associations. 
• Outstanding writing/editing skills with strong attention to detail. 
• Bachelor's degree in relevant area, or other related field equivalent work experience. 
• Minimum 3 years of management experience and advanced subject matter expertise. 
• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, or related field.  
• Considerable knowledge of policy issues, Congress and the Executive Branch and strong political instincts.   
• Talent for distilling complex issues into understandable and relevant messages.  
• Ability to work on a variety of topics under tight deadlines.  
• Ability to provide informed media counsel.   
   

Physical Requirements

• Able to remain in a stationary position working on a computer
• Move about the office to access office machinery, meeting rooms, etc. on occasion
• Operate a computer and other office machinery such as printers and copy machines
• Transport items and equipment up to 10 lbs. on occasion 

Travel Requirements

•  Up to 25%  

This job outline describes the typical accountabilities and requirements of the position and should not be construed as an all-encompassing description of every duty performed by or expected of the incumbent. 

EEO Statement

API is an equal opportunity employer and diversity is a core value.  We are dedicated to creating and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment for all.  All aspects of employment will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. Our success in maintaining a reputation for professional excellence depends on selecting the best-qualified candidates. Achieving this objective means that no employee or applicant for employment will be discriminated against because of race, color, religion, age, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including childbirth, related medical conditions, breastfeeding, and reproductive health decisions), genetic information, national origin, disability, marital status, personal appearance, family responsibilities, political affiliation, matriculation, credit information, the status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, stalking or sexual offense, or any prohibited basis under federal, state or local law.

 API is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to the Human Resources Department via email at HumanResources@api.org.

Employees are typically hired at a point in their salary range based on prior experience, education, and other relevant factors (e.g., peers in the same role). 

API offers a comprehensive benefits package for our employees and their families.  More information about our benefits may be found at api.org / about / careers / benefits.