Media Relations Manager

at  Helen Keller International

MEDIA RELATIONS MANAGER

(US East Coast preferred;
other locations will be considered where Helen Keller can support employment)
Guided by the remarkable legacy of its co-founder, Helen Keller, Helen Keller Intl partners
with communities that are striving to overcome longstanding cycles of poverty. By delivering
the essential building blocks of good health, sound nutrition, and clear vision, we help millions
of people create lasting change in their own lives. Working in 20 countries – across Africa,
Asia, Europe, and the United States – and together with a global community of supporters,
we ensure every person has the opportunity – as Helen did – to reach their true potential.
Helen Keller is seeking a Media Relations Manager to position Helen Keller as a thought
leader in the international healthcare space and secure prominent media placements and key
speaking engagements. The Manager will play a crucial role in implementing our thought
leadership strategy anchored by Big Ideas – overarching concepts that combine Helen
Keller’s on-the-ground expertise and research, align with public conversations in global
health, and highlight our unique value in the global health sector.
Our ideal candidate has a track record of securing prominent media coverage, is a strong
writer who can translate technical work for mainstream audiences and enjoys building new
strategies and relationships.
Reporting to the Director, Marketing and Communications, the Media Relations Manager will
be a key member of Helen Keller’s growing Marketing and Communications team. They will
integrate and collaborate with our advocacy, program, and country teams to develop
compelling pitches that put people first and support colleagues when engaging with media.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

• Education: Degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or related field

preferred.

• Experience: 6-8 years of media outreach experience, preferably within a global public

health organization or nonprofit, or equivalent combination of education and

experience.

• Superior English language writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with focus and

experience in synthesizing complex content into essential, compelling messages for

global citizens, journalists, and prominent global media outlets.

• Excellent relationship building skills including working with colleagues across different

countries, time zones and disciplines.

• Proven experience and ability to secure prominent media coverage effectively prepare

colleagues for media opportunities, knowledge of global media outlets and trends.

• Ability to independently problem solve and drive your own work across multiple fast-

moving projects in a globally dispersed organization with effective prioritization.

• Highly computer literate with demonstrated proficiency with the types of software

required for the responsibilities above.

• Collaborative, flexible and solution-oriented. An ability to maintain balance when

under stress.

• Demonstrable respect for all persons regardless of religion, ethnicity, class, or gender,

with a high comfort level working in a diverse environment with a demonstrated

commitment to high professional ethical standards.

• Ability and willingness to flex work hours to accommodate multiple time zones. Core

work hours are expected to follow Eastern Time (US).

• Personal commitment to Helen Keller’s mission and the values embodied by our

namesake and co-founder: integrity, rigor, courage and compassion.

• Proficiency in French is a plus.

Notes

• Helen Keller requires all US staff and all staff who travel internationally to be fully

vaccinated against COVID-19, whether or not they have had COVID.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and pitch stories to media outlets and write and distribute press releases to

generate media coverage to increase Helen Keller’s visibility.

• Partner with program and country colleagues to source and develop compelling

content that illustrates the effectiveness, evidence-base, and impact of Helen Keller’s

work.

• Cultivate and sustain relationships with key media contacts, including journalists,

editors and producers, and conference and event leads.

• Coordinate media opportunities including events, field trips, interviews, and filming

engagements.

• Monitor media coverage and trends, report on results to internal stakeholders, and

suggest ways to evolve our stories to gain traction in a changing environment.

• Prepare and support thought leaders with speaking engagements including interviews,

presentation review, messaging and talking points, and media coaching as needed.

• Co-manage contracted agency with Director and shape scopes of work and RFPs for

new contractual relationships, as needed.

• Identify, evolve, and help ideate future Big Ideas to be tested.
• As part of our team, advance Helen Keller’s culture of philanthropy and inclusivity,

building knowledge and skills across the organization.

required for the responsibilities above.

• Collaborative, flexible and solution-oriented. An ability to maintain balance whe