What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Media Relations Expert position at RH Strategic?
Senior Media Relations Expert
Washington, D.C.
RH Strategic is seeking a senior media relations expert with a strong track record of securing high-impact, top-tier placements in national consumer, business, and industry media to join its team in Washington, D.C. This position is for a tenacious pitcher and a creative storyteller who knows how to win media attention that drives client impact, and coach others throughout the process. You’ll lead media outreach efforts, working directly with clients and journalists to deliver meaningful earned media results across traditional and emerging platforms. This is a full-time role, requiring an in-office presence of at least 3 days per week.
RH Strategic is a well-established public relations agency with a robust client portfolio across the technology, security, healthcare sustainability, and education industries. We are accepting applications from those who are curious about innovations shaping our future and having an impact through meaningful storytelling.
Primary Responsibilities
Top-Tier Media Pitching & Placement
- Drive top-tier earned media coverage with compelling news angles, pitch themes, and story packages.
- Pitch and secure placements across high-profile print, digital, and broadcast platforms — including long-form features, executive profiles, bylines, and op-eds.
- Identify and act on real-time opportunities tied to breaking news, cultural trends, and relevant media cycles.
- Leverage existing relationships and media relationship expertise to arrange editorial board meetings, desksides, and virtual/in-person meet-and-greets with top journalists and producers, leading to successful client outcomes.
Media Strategy and Campaign Integration
- Identify target media outlets and contacts based on client goals and audience priorities.
- Develop top-tier media strategy to integrate across clients’ overall communications strategy and campaign plans.
- Develop tailored media plans that align with client objectives and capitalize on evolving news opportunities.
Media Relationship Building
- Maintain strong relationships with national and business media contacts — including reporters, editors, freelancers, producers, and assignment editors.
- Support developing staff with relationship-building approaches and build a system for tracking and managing key media relationships on behalf of the agency and its clients. Support ongoing outreach and long-term visibility.
Client Engagement and Executive Support
- Lead media training and interview prep for CEOs and senior executives, including the development of messaging and rehearsal sessions.
- Counsel clients on earned media strategy, positioning, and timing to maximize exposure and narrative control.
- Provide regular insights on the media landscape, trends, and new approaches to securing coverage.
Secondary Responsibilities
- Provide strategy and direction for media-facing content including press releases, media advisories, messaging documents, pitches, Q&As, and briefing books. Draft and edit as needed.
- Use expertise to expand outreach to alternative media such as podcasts, YouTube creators, and newsletter publishers (e.g., Substacks)
- Manage inbound media inquiries and coordinate timely, strategic responses.
- Counsel and support during crisis communications events, including the development of holding statements, rapid response messaging, and real-time media engagement.
- Advise on reputational risks and provide strategic guidance during sensitive or high-stakes moments.
Requirements
- Top-tier media relations experience with a strong track record of securing high-impact, top-tier placements for clients.
- Lead media efforts (with the team), meet or exceed deadlines and prioritize assignments.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with team, clients, media, partners, etc.
- Ability to take feedback and apply it to future work. Should possess a natural curiosity and a desire to grow.
- Must be a proactive communicator and detail oriented.
Pay and Benefits
Salary: $95,000-$120,000 annually.
This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and the Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. The Company may, in its discretion, also offer an annual bonus in an amount, if any, to be determined by the Company. Bonuses are not guaranteed.
Benefits:
For this role, the Company offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
- Insurance: 100% paid base premium for the employee’s medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurances.
- Transportation Subsidy: $100 per month.
- Paid Time Off: 16 days of annual PTO, 12 firm holidays, 1 floating day off, and 1 paid day of service.
- Retirement Plan: 401(k) plan with automatic, fully vested match.
RH Strategic is committed to being an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We will not be able to respond to every submission. No calls, recruiters, or offers for contract work, please.
Salary : $95,000 - $120,000