Director of Media Relations

The American Lung Association is one of the nation's oldest voluntary health organizations. Founded in 1904 as the National Association for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis – dedicated to combating tuberculosis (TB), the most dreaded disease of the time. Now in our second century, the American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives, improve lung health and prevent lung disease.

We seek a full-time Director of Media Relations to work with the media and internal audiences to promote the lung health policy goals of the American Lung Association in California and expand the organization’s footprint. This position will be focused on successfully harnessing traditional and non-traditional communications methods to support and advance important Lung Association advocacy and policy related news, announcements and reports. As a media relations specialist, this individual will lead successful media campaigns, and cultivate relationships with editors, journalists, bloggers, and influencers to advance the policy goals of the organization. The individual will work with key organizational stakeholders, patients and volunteers who serve as our spokespersons on a wide variety of lung health issues and policies. The Director will be a highly motivated individual with experience and passion for advocacy work. Flexibility, creativity and teamwork are critical to this role, as are fantastic written and oral communication skills and the ability to distill complex policies into simple public health messages. Qualified candidates will possess expertise and experience in communications (written and verbal), media and media advocacy campaigns and adapting strategies in a fast-paced/dynamic environment. The Director of Media Relations will also work with senior leadership and various departments in the organization to promote the mission of the Lung Association.

* Develop and implement a consistent external communications, media relations and digital media strategy for the Lung Association government relations department. * Execute comprehensive media relations campaigns designed to expand the footprint and visibility of the American Lung Association in California, its policy positions and mission. * Create campaign metrics reports with tangible results, and prepare presentations to educate internal audiences of media relations campaign successes and growth of organizational visibility. * Create and manage news release development, strategy, and distribution that attract media attention and initiate interest in the American Lung Association. * Produce, write, and coordinate Lung Association website updates and blog posts. * Prepare, organize, edit, pitch and distribute fact sheets, news releases, letters to the editor, Op Eds, and other materials to media representatives and other relevant or interested parties. * Coordinate media relations activities with external partner organizations, public relations and advertising agencies as needed. * Remain abreast of current organizational legislative and non-legislative lung health issues and priorities. * Serve as organizational spokesperson as needed. * Cultivate, nurture and expand the Lung Association’s relationships with state, regional, local, journalists, bloggers, influencers, and publishers, as well as ethnic and fringe media outlets. * Manage day-to-day operations of the media relations function, including identifying and working with experts, coalition partners and volunteers, responding to inquiries from the public and media representatives, and budget development and tracking.

**Education** * Bachelor’s degree in communications or relevant experience in media relations, preferably in a nonprofit organization. **Knowledge/Skills** * Proven experience leading and executing successful multi-market media relations campaigns * Consummate team player who can work effectively in a highly-integrated team and thrives in an entrepreneurial, network-driven environment where everyone rolls up their sleeves and does whatever it takes to get the job done * Superior writing, verbal communication and presentation skills * A love of learning about lung health and translating technical language for the general public * Has established relationships with media * Meets and exceeds deadlines, ability to turn things around quickly * Well-organized and self-motivated * Ability to adapt to changing priorities in a dynamic environment * Experience working with science, business and general media * Committed to the mission of an organization devoted to helping improve lung health and prevent lung disease **Work Experience** * 5+ years of experience in communications, media relations, or related field * Experience in journalism, editing and/or writing a plus * Ability and experience in interacting with news media and high level medical professionals * Experience in researching information and resources online * Bilingual (Spanish) a plus **Licenses or Certificates** * Preferred **Physical Hazards** * Health and Safety Concerns General Office Environment **Equipment and Special Materials** * Knowledge of Microsoft word, Excel, and Office software including Outlook and PowerPoint as well as basic media relations software/systems such as Vocus / Cision, etc.