The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights invites applications for the Media Relations Manager. The position is open to applicants based anywhere in the United States, with preference given to applicants based in Phoenix, Arizona. The Media Relations Manager will design and implement the organization’s media strategy and manage relations and engagement with news media, pushing a proactive communications agenda that shapes coverage and advances the human rights of immigrant children. The Media Relations Manager will play an integral role in increasing the Young Center’s visibility and brand awareness, increasing the attention of current supporters, and bringing new eyes to the organization, to advance the goals of the Young Center’s Child Advocate, Immigrant Child Resource Center, and Policy programs as well as the Development Department. This position will report to the Director of Communications.ABOUT THE YOUNG CENTER:

The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights is a national organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the rights and best interests—safety and well-being—of immigrant children in the United States. Through its flagship Child Advocate Program the Young Center serves as the federally-appointed bests interests representative for unaccompanied and separated immigrant children in federal custody. Child Advocates meet with children and learn their stories in order to identify and advocate for their best interests through an interdisciplinary, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive lens. The Young Center’s Policy Program fights for wholesale reform of the immigration system while pursuing immediate changes in policy and practice that center children’s rights and best interests in all decisions. The Technical Assistance Program, the Young Center’s newest program, offers intersectional expertise and critical resources to advocates and service providers working with immigrant children involved in child welfare and other state court systems.

The Young Center has offices in Houston, San Antonio, and Harlingen, Texas; Chicago, Illinois; New York, New York; Washington, D.C.; Phoenix, Arizona; and Los Angeles, California. We also serve children through programs in New Jersey and Western Michigan.DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for the creation of a comprehensive media engagement strategy. 

• Creates external press materials, including pitches, press releases, advisories, statements, op-eds, editorial board memos, etc., that deliver consistent, accessible messages.

• Builds and nurtures relationships with reporters in the immigration, children’s issues, and human rights issues fields. 

• Pitches event, fundraising and policy campaigns 

• Advances awareness and knowledge of the Young Center’s Volunteer Program to drive public engagement and recruitment of potential Volunteer Child Advocates through local media engagement. 

• Supports Communications Director in the creation of rapid response messaging and media outreach (including on weekends as needed).

• Responsible for training Young Center spokespeople, including staff, volunteers, board members and the children we serve, for press interviews.

• Writes talking points and conducts interview prep with Young Center staff as needed. 

• Manages and tracks the Young Center’s engagement with news media and reports all updates on press engagement to Young Center leadership.

• Generates weekly all-staff emails with relevant news updates to keep YC staff abreast on rapidly changing coverage pertaining to our work (Weekly Media Reports). 

• Serves as a spokesperson for the organization as needed. 

• Assigns and supervises media work to vendors as needed.

• Works closely in coalition spaces to cultivate and strengthen partnerships with communications teams at immigration and children-centered organizations aligned with Young Center priorities.

• Perform other duties as assigned. 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• 3 years of experience in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field.

• Exceptional written and oral communication skills

• Ability to translate the Young Center’s mission and work into accessible, content for various stakeholders and audiences

• Knowledge of and experience with media relations strategies and tactics, including press release writing, media pitching, and managing media inquiries.

• Strong skills in building and maintaining relationships with media representatives, stakeholders, and colleagues.

• Experience in crisis communications and the ability to respond quickly and effectively to public relations challenges.

• Familiarity with public relations software, content management systems, and other relevant technology tools.

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while prioritizing and meeting deadlines.

• Understanding and experience with using social media platforms for public relations and marketing purposes.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office. Self-starter, resourceful and creative problem solver

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge/interest in children’s/immigrant rights.

• Experience working with justice focused, mission driven non-profit organizations.

• Experience working with children or other vulnerable populations for the purposes of storytelling in an ethical manner.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Physical demands include regular attendance, keyboarding, sitting for long periods (at least 5 hours a day), driving. Ability to use computer, telephone, and copy machine. Ability to travel by plane, car and other conveyances within U.S. Occasional lifting for event setup/preparation.

COVID-19 CONSIDERATIONS: 

All employees must be fully vaccinated prior to first day of employment. 

APPLICATION DETAILS:

Review of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Please apply on the Young Center website with a cover letter, resume, three references and a writing sample of any published work you may have done. You may also include additional URLs/links of your work. If you are unable to upload your materials, you may send them to jobs@theyoungcenter.org with the subject line Digital Media Manager. Only complete applications will be considered.