Manager, Media & Communications - ASPCA

Please make sure to attach your resume to complete your application.

Summary:

The ASPCA Media & Communications team plays an integral role on a collaborative team responsible for sharing the lifesaving work and mission of the ASPCA through engagement with media – broadcast, print, digital – and other influencers. 

The Manager, Media & Communications will have responsibility for communications and media relations around several key program areas and provide strategic communications assistance on other important initiatives related to our mission. Working with their supervisor – the Director, Media & Communications, they will manage specific objectives and projects related to the successful implementation of the ASPCA’s communications function, with a strong emphasis on the execution of integrated communications plans where media outreach is a major element and fielding reactive media inquiries. 

Candidates should be skilled storytellers with experience working with consumer and news media. The Manager must possess strong interpersonal and communications skills as well as a solid foundation in public relations best practices. Successful candidates must work at a high level in a team environment with the ability to take direction from multiple individuals and also showcase an ability to work independently, taking full ownership of identifying and managing projects until successful completion.   

This position is a hybrid remote / on-site position and will require our selected candidate to be located within a commutable distance to New York City and will be available to travel occasionally on short notice.

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Media Relations (70%)

• Identify needs and opportunities for media projects/initiatives and create and implement strategic and integrated communications plans using a wide range of communications tactics to support programmatic and organizational efforts
• Manage ongoing media relations and proactive outreach for assigned program areas that yield high-quality media placements including facilitating in-person and remote print, broadcast, and digital interviews with ASPCA subject matter experts.
• Draft, edit and disseminate strategically-developed communications materials such as press releases, media advisories, calendar listings, letters to the editor, and op-eds, etc., ensuring communications outreach is research-based and measurable
• Monitor inbound press line inquiries - respond to and/or re-route calls and emails appropriately and in a timely manner; assess Return on Investment (ROI) and coordinate with program experts and media team members to develop a response that aligns with ASPCA messaging
• Represent the ASPCA at public-facing events and media appearances and serve as a liaison with external communications personnel 
• Develop talking points and other messaging documents to ensure consistent messaging around a topic 
• Properly prepare staff for media appearances so they can best represent the ASPCA 
• Coordinate specific public relations tasks and/or events with other departments and manage the implementation of these projects as necessary  
• Develop and nurture relationships with external audiences (media, third-party constituencies, etc.) to convey the ASPCA’s message
• Develop compelling story ideas and draft well-researched story pitches that result in media placements in traditional, niche, and professional communications outlets
• Track and compile breaking news media coverage for planned follow-up outreach
• Continually refine and improve Public Relations skills – learning from others on the media relations team – specifically in the following areas:
• Work with your supervisor and other members of the media relations team to help manage sensitive or complex inquiries and respond to crisis communications needs in a timely and effective manner
• Mitigate negative stories that have the potential to be damaging to the ASPCA brand
• Communicate directly with senior staff

Project Management & Collaboration (20%)

• Manage and take full ownership of projects from start to completion
• Schedule meetings, create agendas, take meeting notes and develop actionable next steps to keep projects moving
• Communicate regularly with program experts to keep up to date on programmatic developments, and from these discussions, identify opportunities for external communications, disseminate information to other ASPCA communications functions and coordinate promotional plans 
• Liaise and collaborate with colleagues who oversee other communications functions (i.e., internal communications, professional communications, social media, executive communications, donor communications, creative strategy and branding, etc.) to maximize relevant communication opportunities
• Coordinate production and distribution of material with other ASPCA departments, as required

Administrative/Other (10%)

• Participate and contribute updates during Media & Communications team meetings and work cross-functionally with other members of the team
• Contribute to the ongoing administrative needs of the team, including compiling media clips, creating and maintaining media lists, sharing media recap reports, gather and monitor ASPCA media mentions and disseminate monitoring reports for internal audiences

Exemplifies the ASPCA’s Core Values:

• Has Commitment and dedication to improving the lives of animals
• Demonstrates Ownership and feels responsible for outcomes
• Believes in Team – that we are stronger together
• Seeks to Elevate others and reimagine what is possible
• Focuses on Impact, specifically making change for animals

Qualifications

• Strong written and oral communications skills
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize work, and meet deadlines under pressure
• Project management experience with demonstrated ability to oversee projects from start to completion
• Ability to think strategically and creatively to develop and execute communications strategies, story ideas and pitches that result in media placements – must have a strong sense of what is newsworthy
• Working knowledge of AP Style required
• Knowledge of and experience with social media
• Ability to follow and report on animal welfare trends reported in the media
• Displays care and concern for the safety and well-being of self, animals and others, especially under stressful situations
• Ability to read and interpret data, with an understanding of current research and public relations/communications measurement standards and application

Additional information:

• Must be available after business hours, on holidays and weekends, as required (on rotation) 
• Comfort and willingness to engage in basic animal handling
• Must be available to occasionally travel on short notice 
• A cover letter is required to complete your application

Compensation and Benefits

The applicable target hiring range for this hybrid on-site/remote role is based on where the employee works, which for hybrid on-site/remote roles is the employee’s primary location of residence, and its respective cost of labor. We have organized the U.S. varying costs of labor index into three geographic zones. As a point of reference, below, we have included our ASPCA locations by geographic zone to illustrate what the hiring range would be in each of the following areas. 

Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, training, experience, location, business needs, internal equity, market demands or budgeted amount for the role. The target hiring range is for new hire offers only, and staff compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. The expected hiring salary ranges for this role are set forth below and may be modified in the future.  

• Zone 1 (For example, Asheville, NC; Champaign, IL; Columbus, OH; Gainesville, FL; Miami, FL; Oklahoma City, OK; Overland, KS; Union, MO; Weaverville, NC): $58,000 - $62,000 annually 
• Zone 2 (For example, Washington D.C.; Los Angeles, CA): $64,000 - $69,000 annually
• Zone 3 (For example, New York, NY): $71,000 - $76,000 annually

For remote positions, you can view which zone applies to you based on your location. For questions regarding other locations not found on the list, please send an email to Careers@aspca.org for more information.    

For more information on our benefits offerings, visit our website.

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If you are interested in joining our team but do not see a position listed that fits your experience or interests, please join our Talent Community to stay connected to future opportunities with the ASPCA.

Qualifications:

See above for qualifications details.

  

Language:

English (Required)

Education and Work Experience:

Bachelors (Required), High School Diploma (Required)

  

3+ years public relations experience preferred, 4 years professional work experience or equivalent education, High School Diploma or GED equivalent required, BA, BS in Liberal Arts (English, history, etc), public relations, journalism or communications major preferred

Our EEO Policy:

The ASPCA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws.  A reasonable accommodation is a change in the ASPCA’s standard application process, which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on the ASPCA.  Please inform the ASPCA’s People Team if you need an accommodation in order to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.

Individuals seeking employment are considered without regards to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status,  or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.

ASPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V).

Please don’t forget to attach your resume to complete your application.

About Us:
The ASPCA was founded in 1866 on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment by humans and must be protected under the law. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States.

The ASPCA is headquartered in New York City, where we maintain a full-service animal hospital, spay/neuter clinic, mobile spay/neuter and primary pet care clinics, a rehabilitation center for canine victims of cruelty, kitten nursery, adoption center, and two community veterinary centers.

The ASPCA also operates programs and services that extend nationwide. We assist animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources.

At the ASPCA, we are committed to fostering a collaborative and compassionate culture and we welcome all voices to contribute to our lifesaving mission. Our staff represent a vast array of backgrounds and diversity dimensions, bringing with them valuable experiences and perspectives. They join the ASPCA to learn, grow, and continually do their best work on behalf of animals. We are inspired by our staff, partners, and the communities we support across the country who work to improve animal lives. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion at the ASPCA because it elevates our organizational culture, aligns with our Core Values, and enables us to move further and faster toward the ASPCA’s vision – that all animals live good lives; valued by society, protected by its laws, and free from cruelty, pain and suffering.