Media Relations - Coordinating Manager

The Coordinating Manager, Media Relations supports the company’s reputation by assisting with strategic communications and media engagement across the enterprise. This role is responsible for driving proactive and reactive media engagement, particularly on complex, high-profile topics including environmental, regulatory, and policy-related issues.

Serving as a key connector across media relations, government affairs, environmental, legal, and operations teams, the Coordinating Manager ensures alignment, consistency, and discipline in how the company communicates externally.

Key Responsibilities:

Media Relations & Issue Management (Primary Focus)

• Lead coordination of complex, issue-driven communications, particularly related to environmental, regulatory and policy topics
• Support day-to-day collaboration between media relations, government affairs, environmental, legal, and other internal stakeholders
• Drive proactive and reactive messaging on sensitive issues, including regulatory matters, litigation, incidents, and reputational challenges
• Develop and implement strategic media plans to promote company initiatives and protect the company’s reputation
• Respond to inbound media inquiries, facilitate interviews, and proactively pitch stories on issues within scope
• Correct inaccuracies in media coverage and ensure fact-based narratives are represented
• Build structure and consistency across issue management, including SME coordination and media response processes

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration

• Media Training & Spokesperson Support
• Serve as a company spokesperson for media inquiries and interviews
• Prep and train subject matter experts, particularly in environmental and policy areas and topics.
• Help develop media prep materials and provide candid feedback to improve spokesperson effectiveness
• Media Monitoring & Analysis
• Use analytics to prioritize issues, refine messaging, and guide media engagement
• Monitor and help to anticipate emerging risks and opportunities based on media and public sentiment

Skills & Competencies

• Strong writing, editing, and verbal communication skills
• Ability to think strategically and hand sensitive information
• Sound judgment, including knowing when to engage and when to decline opportunities
• Ability to operate effectively under pressure and tight deadlines
• High level of discretion and ability to manage sensitive, confidential information
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Media savvy with a deep understanding of the news landscape
• Collaborative, team-oriented approach with the ability to influence across functions
• Forward-thinking and adaptable to evolving communications trends

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or a related field
• Minimum of 7 years of communications experience, must have 5 years of experience in public relations or external communications
• Preferred candidates will have experience in a communications role related to steel manufacturing
• Experience managing media relations in high-profile or issue-driven environments
• Ability to work effectively with senior leadership
• Strong relationship-building skills with internal and external stakeholders
• Familiarity with media monitoring tools, distribution services, and analytics

Other Details

• Ability to work remotely
• Travel approximately 25%