Director, External Relations

Company Overview:

Carnegie Corporation of New York was established by Andrew Carnegie in 1911 “to promote the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding.” It is one of the oldest, largest, and most influential American grantmaking foundations.

Job Summary:

The Corporation seeks to hire a Director of External Relations to identify, manage, conceptualize, and implement strategies to engage external influencer audiences, including media, national thought leaders, key policymakers, and influencers in the fields in which the Corporation. In collaboration with the Chief Communications and Digital Strategies Officer, the Director of External Relations will be responsible for the ongoing reputation and issues management for the Corporation. Additionally, they will be responsible for media relations and outreach for the Corporation and the work of its programs (and related priority grantee work). They will develop press and new media dissemination plans and be responsible for story pitching, press relations and partnerships, press and multimedia coverage, press releases, and the handling of interview and filming requests. The Director of External Relations is an integral part of a team generating and disseminating original content, and telling the stories of the Corporation and its grantees, which range from original columns to social and multimedia content.

Responsibilities:

Influencer Engagement . Develop and implement influencer engagement and monitoring strategies, including the identification and cultivation of external stakeholder audiences relevant to the Corporation’s work and brand awareness.

• Collaborate with the President’s Office and Programs in the ongoing development of influencer opportunities and lists, such as long-term relationships with Corporation Fellows and select grantees, strategies for outreach to policymakers, and engagement with Corporation peers and friends.
• Assist the Communications team with the development of strategies meant to engage these audiences as appropriate
• Oversee research on the ongoing identification and development of influencer audiences.

Media Relations . Manage the Corporation’s public and press relations, including story pitching, writing press releases as well as original stories and posts, and managing all steps through publication and continued dissemination.

• Serve as primary media liaison and spokesperson for the Corporation, in collaboration with the Chief Communications and Digital Strategies Officer.
• Develop and oversee media relations strategy for the Corporation, in collaboration with the Chief Communications and Digital Strategies Officer, the President’s Office and Program leaders.
• Serve as communications liaison with counterparts at grantee organizations.
• Work closely with program staff to help determine priorities for and plan program and related grantee media coverage.
• Build, maintain, and update key reporter and editor contacts, with an eye towards developing close working relationships with press and new media.
• Identify, develop, and manage media partnership opportunities.
• Oversee monitoring of Corporation media coverage; create media briefings for leadership on key topics and issues.
• Identify, engage and/or advise external PR firms and consultants hired by program and grantee colleagues as appropriate.

Reputation Management . Work closely with the Chief Communications and Digital Strategies Officer and Communication team members to create reputation management and issues management strategies and plans.

• Proactively monitor for developing internal and external issues.
• Collaborate with the Chief Communications Officer and Corporation leadership to respond appropriately.
• Collaborate with Editorial and Digital teams to refresh and maintain Corporation history timelines and narratives as needed.

Content dissemination strategies for influencers and media

• Work closely with program staff to help facilitate, develop and implement strategies for developing and disseminating ideas, publications, reports, and other content that enhances the Corporation’s work and impact goals to key audiences.
• Work closely with Communications colleagues in digital strategies, social media, and publications to develop coordinated outreach plans and content production that can be multipurposed.
• Manage staff as assigned, including the Corporation’s Librarian.
• Perform related duties as required.

Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree, preferably in Communications, Journalism, or the humanities or social sciences.
• Minimum of six years’ experience in PR, journalism, or related communications field, with three years’ experience in a senior level PR position preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of and contacts in international and national news media as well as online news and blogs in related program areas.
• Strong ability to pitch targeted news stories and cultivate relationship with journalists.
• Excellent editorial command, including strong written and oral skills, and ability to conceive of and create original content.
• Significant experience utilizing a variety of media platforms, including social media; multimedia production a plus.
• Experience in reputation management strategies and planning.
• Knowledge of media content landscape and partnership strategies.
• Strong interest and background in Corporation programmatic areas.
• Ability to work collaboratively and proactively with a variety of program staff and grantees, including ability to coordinate needs of multiple stakeholders in implementing media strategies.
• Must be a self-starter with excellent organizational and time management skills, and the ability to work quickly and effectively under pressure.
• Proven knowledge of latest news and public engagement channels.

Benefits & Perks:

• Employee paid health insurance, including medical, dental, life, long term care, and short-term disability, plus a substantial contribution to a retirement plan account, and a generous paid time off program.
• Corporate discounts including gym memberships.

Starting Salary Range:

$125,000 – $144,000 Annually

Carnegie Corporation of New York is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversifying its workforce and is firmly committed to complying with all federal, state and local equal employment opportunity (“EEOC”) laws. The Carnegie Corporation of New York strictly prohibits discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment because of the individual’s race, creed, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, height and weight, disability, and any other characteristic protected by law. The Corporation abides by all applicable rules and regulations in its recruiting and employment practices including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state disability laws.

Powered by JazzHR

4dszGfHBAZ
Carnegie Corporation of New York