Position Summary:
Develops and implements innovative external relations strategies and campaigns in the consumer and/or advocacy spaces, while enhancing and protecting AARP’s brand. Supports AARP’s reputation, priorities, and internal clients by drafting and implementing plans, growing and developing strong media and influencer relationships, pitching stories and op-eds, handling events, tracking and mitigating potential reputational issues, and so on. Tracks/provides analysis of relevant news stories and issues and produces reports for leadership. Drafts/edits news releases, talking points, blog posts, story pitches, and other content.
Responsibilities:
- Develops external relations strategies and tactics.
- Tracks, analyzes, and mitigates potential reputational issues using best-in-class approaches and current platforms, tools, and analytics.
- Writes plans and secures internal buy-in and approvals.
- Writes/proofs/edits news releases, media advisories, talking points, blog posts, templates, and other content.
- Fields media requests from national, trade, specialty, and new media outlets and develops media relationships.
- Writes strong, effective pitches and pitch stories to a wide range of national, trade, specialty, and new media outlets. Demonstrates sound judgment.
- Tracks relevant news coverage and social media trends to ensure the AARP leadership and the team are aware of developing stories, potential threats, and issues.
- Works with AARP leadership and subject-matter-experts on interview preparation, briefings, and media requests. Supports executive positioning activities.
- Prepares performance and after-action reports using key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Supports internal clients.
Requirements:
- Completion of a Bachelor’s degree (e.g., in Journalism, Communications, or Political Science) or equivalent and 6+ years of job-related experience. Significant demonstrated experience in consumer public relations and/or public affairs is important.
- Demonstrated ability to work and thrive in a dynamic/fast-paced work environment. Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects, assignments, and deadlines is vital.
- Significant demonstrated experience pitching media outlets and engaging with partner organizations and influencers, including from the African American/Black, Asian American/Pacific Islander, and/or LGBTQ communities.
- Excellent writing and editing skills required. Demonstrated experience writing/editing news releases, talking points, blog posts, templates, and fact sheets.
- Fluency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), as well as Cision or other similar platforms is a must.
- Advanced user of Twitter, other platforms, and social media listening/analytics tools.
- Prior experience with one or more of AARP’s priority issue areas required.
- Ability to collaborate and work effectively with cross-functional teams.