JOB OF THE WEEK: Associated Press, Manager of Media Relations (New York City)

The Associated Press is seeking a Manager of Media Relations for their New York City headquarters. 

The Manager of Media Relations will assist the Director of Media Relations in executing and growing a proactive, strategic, brand-enhancing program of media relations on behalf of The Associated Press, the definitive source for news and information, and its senior leadership. The incumbent will help to guard the integrity of AP news and the 2,400 men and women worldwide who gather and report AP news across multiple platforms, at great personal risk in various hot spots. The position serves as a key point of contact with outside media seeking to interview AP journalists, executives and managers of AP’s other products and services. The manager will post relevant news releases, stories and links on AP.org as necessary, managing the soon-to-be-redesigned website’s Media Center and special sections, including those on Elections and Freedom of Information.

Specifically, the Manager of Media Relations will help raise awareness of AP and its global journalism through releases, email, Twitter and other means, including a program of traveling AP photo exhibits, such as “The American President,” in circulation this year. He or she will also be the first point of contact with outside parties preparing to announce business agreements with the AP, drafting or vetting joint news releases, announcements and other promotional initiatives.

The incumbent will interact daily with AP news staffers, and assist the Director in staying abreast of the AP News department’s assignments and coverage plans, in order to help field interview requests that come in daily from broadcasts, publications and online outlets – and to proactively offer interviews with AP journalists tied to their high-impact stories. These arrangements typically include the challenge of scheduling staffers located around the country, in Washington and abroad. He or she will interact with other AP units, notably AP’s international video headquarters in London and AP’s Washington Bureau, on announcements and press releases as they are being prepared and finalized, often mediating the contrasting views of multiple parties.

The ideal candidate will have first and foremost an insatiable fluency in the day’s news, the newsgathering process and the ever-evolving digital distribution of news, plus the savvy to help advise AP Corporate Communications on how best to utilize burgeoning digital platforms to serve its Media Relations’ needs. He or she will be familiar with reporters, websites, blogs and Twitter feeds that cover the news industry and will be swift and adept at seeking corrections of misinformation or inaccuracies about AP. He or she will be a good writer – and a fast writer. He or she must be able to move quickly, act decisively, reach out to media and staffers scattered across time zones, prioritize mountains of incoming email that come in from around the world at all hours and manage time wisely throughout the day to meet outside reporters’ deadlines and accommodate the often limited availability of AP reporters dug in on covering breaking news for the AP wire. He or she will know to expect the unexpected. The demands on the Manager’s time will extend some days into evening and punctuate some weekends. Experience in daily journalism is desirable.

Required: 

College degree; minimum 3 to 5 years in corporate communications, public relations or journalism experience; fluency in Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms and tools.

The Associated Press is the essential global news network, delivering fast, unbiased news from every corner of the world to all media platforms and formats. Founded in 1846, AP today is the largest and most trusted source of independent news and information. On any given day, more than half the world's population sees news from AP.

AP seeks to build an inclusive organization grounded in respect for differences. We support all aspects of diversity and provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability or status as a veteran in accordance with applicable nondiscrimination laws.

TO APPLY: Please visit here.  (PF tipster)