Media Relations Assistant/Associate, Economic and Health Policy

The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) is seeking a full-time, in-person media relations assistant/associate to promote AEI scholars and their work in economic, financial services, and health care policy. The anticipated start date for this position is as soon as possible.

The media relations assistant/associate reports to the managing director of media relations. Duties include:

• Promoting AEI’s scholars who specialize in economic policy, health care policy, and related areas of domestic policy;
• Integrating AEI scholars’ work into the national conversation;
• Building relationships with scholars in assigned areas and with select media;
• Serving as the primary point of contact for economic, financial services, and health care media requests;
• Arranging media briefings;
• Drafting pitches and releases;
• Distilling complex policy issues into shorter formats;
• Promoting and facilitating media coverage of conferences and events;
• Tracking metrics; and
• Working with the communications team on special projects.

This position requires excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to translate complex policy material into clear and straightforward prose. Candidates must have a keen interest in policy and be able to handle multiple tasks in a frequently busy and demanding environment. Experience with deadlines and related work experience are preferred. Strong applicants will have existing contacts among print and online journalists, reporters, producers, and editors from national news bureaus, including TV and radio networks and cable news. The ideal candidate must be able to think strategically and plan comprehensive media outreach. A bachelor’s degree in economics, English, history, or political science is preferred.

We offer a stimulating and harmonious work environment and excellent benefits. Qualified applicants should submit an online application to www.aei.org/jobs, complete with a resume, cover letter, and 500-word writing sample on any topic.

• Serve as the media point of contact for AEI’s scholars who specialize in economic policy, health care policy, and related areas of domestic policy.
• Research areas including economics, health care, international economics, agriculture, housing, technology, and energy policy.
• Promote scholars’ work to elite and specialized media (including print and online beat reporters, columnists, wire service reporters and editors, reporters and editors working for specialized trade publications, TV and radio hosts, correspondents, and producers).
• Integrate AEI scholars and their work into the national conversation by (1) monitoring current events and news coverage of assigned issues, (2) pitching scholars’ work to reporters and broadcast journalists, (3) coordinating and facilitating the resulting interviews, and (4) keeping records of all print, television, radio, and online coverage of the AEI scholars and their work.
• Synthesize scholars’ work, which often covers complex policy issues, into shorter formats that the media can easily digest.
• Build relationships with scholars, and identify publicity goals for their work.
• Arrange regular briefings between AEI scholars and journalists.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for media requests for AEI scholars in assigned areas.
• Draft press pitches, new research, reports, and commentary.
• Edit op-eds and other commentary, and submit it on scholars’ behalf.
• Track all media coverage of AEI scholars and their work in economic, financial services, and health care policy.
• Plan and execute major promotions for special publications and projects (produced by scholars in assigned areas) by coordinating with other members of the communications team (including in the Design, Digital, and Video departments).

Physical requirements and working conditions at AEI:

• The employee is regularly expected to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, and keyboard. This job requires close vision abilities due to computer work.
• The employee must be able to lift up to 30 pounds at times.
• The employee must be able to work in a confined area.
• Moderate noise (e.g., from computers, phone, printers, and light traffic) is expected.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities associated with this position.

• Candidates should be able to establish and maintain effective relationships with AEI scholars and well-known and important members of the national media (including print and online beat reporters, columnists, wire service reporters and editors, reporters and editors working for specialized trade publications, TV and radio hosts, correspondents, producers, and select foreign media personnel).
• A degree in economics, English, history, or political science is preferred.
• Experience working in a Washington, DC, newsroom or press office is a plus, as is a special interest or focus in economic, financial services, or health care policy studies.
• Experience working with Salesforce and familiarity with AP style are pluses.
• Existing contacts with print and online journalists, reporters, producers, and editors from national news bureaus, including TV and radio networks and cable news, are a plus.
• Candidates must have:
  • Strong written and oral communication skills;
  • The ability to work well in a team environment;
  • An interest in current events and major policy debates;
  • An understanding of news media needs and processes and what defines news;
  • An interest in and knowledge of the legislative process;
  • An assertive, creative, and confident attitude in pitching AEI scholars and their work to the media;
  • The ability to think strategically and plan comprehensive media and marketing campaigns; and
  • Familiarity with Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, and Excel.