Media Relations Manager - REMOTE

About the organization

The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data organization (ACLED) is a disaggregated data collection, analysis, and crisis mapping institution. The ACLED team collects conflict information, conducts analysis to describe, explore, and test conflict scenarios, and makes both data and analysis open for free use by the public. ACLED’s work is regularly used to inform journalism, academic research, and public discourse on conflict, and to support practitioners and policymakers. ACLED is the highest quality and most widely used real-time data and analysis source on political violence and protest around the world.

The role

As a Media Relations Manager within our External Affairs Team, you will be responsible for protecting, building, and enhancing the reputation of ACLED by providing strategic communications advice, liaising with the media, and providing a proactive and reactive media relations service. 

You will be able to work under pressure, possessing excellent communication skills, a strong news sense, and excellent judgment as well as outstanding interpersonal skills.

An excellent team player, you’ll have line management responsibilities and will be expected to consistently deliver through your team, providing guidance and training to help your colleagues continue to develop their media handling skills.  

You’ll be results-driven, with excellent media analysis skills using results data to benchmark progress and shape media strategy.   

This position is open to nationals of any country, with preference to candidates based in EST/GMT/CET time zones. For more information, please review the Applicant FAQs. Please submit your salary range for consideration.

Specific roles and responsibilities

The Media Relations Manager will be responsible for the following:

• Reporting to the Head of External Affairs, you will be responsible for all media relations outputs, including webinars and podcasts. 
• You will work closely with colleagues responsible for social media output to ensure media and social media messaging aligns. 
• You will work closely with the Head of External Affairs to produce timely content appropriate to the current news cycle and plan content for key dates. 
• You will produce and edit podcasts and webinars, bringing technical broadcast knowledge to the team. 
• You will provide insightful media analysis and report progress against agreed KPIs to the Head of External Affairs and the wider executive team using learning to refine strategy. 
• You will deliver media training across the ACLED team. 
• Some out-of-office, evening and weekend work may be necessary. As part of a duty rota, the post-holder will be required to respond to emergencies and/or incidents at  times outside of the core hours. In-lieu time off will be compensated accordingly.

Skills and competencies

ACLED is seeking applicants who have the following skills and experience:

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree with at least seven to 10 years’ proven experience in media relations or PR, including broadcast journalism. Candidates should also possess an expert understanding of the media landscape and digital communications.
• Experience working with teams across an organization to engage with the public via the media.
• Strong problem-solving, relationship-building, and interpersonal skills across various tasks and audiences.
• Outstanding stakeholder relationship skills.
• Proven experience producing creative and impactful communications products for a range of media outlets.
• Demonstrated experience working with the media, and providing high-quality written material with the ability to transform complex subject matter into engaging copy and content.
• Experience making podcasts, writing scripts and generating broadcast content. 
• Experience making short news videos, knowledge of editing process and ability to direct news videographers to produce engaging video content.
• Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, with a focus on storytelling and persuasive communication.
• Excellent written English and experience implementing quality control so your team is consistently delivering high-class media products to short deadlines.
• Track record of building strong trusting relationships with senior national and international correspondents & delivering a first-class service to journalists.
• Experience line managing a team to successfully deliver communications objectives.
• Proficiency in using databases, newswires, and other media relations data sources.
• Excellent working knowledge of UK and US broadcast media with good understanding of the global media landscape.
• Experience using media databases and analytics platforms.
• Demonstrable planning skills, able to juggle competing priorities and demonstrate sound judgment in adjusting deadlines.
• Experience working in a fully remote setting, managing a team across different time zones.

Desirable

• Knowledge of PRINCE2 or equivalent project management tools.
• Experience with ASANA or similar project management platform.
• Experience working in communications associated with academic research or policy. 
• Experience with campaigns and event management.

Applications:

To apply, please submit a CV and cover letter detailing your qualifications, experience, and salary requirements. In addition, please also make sure to submit examples of short videos for news or podcasts you have produced. 

Further information on the organization is available online at acleddata.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested candidates are advised to apply early.