Job Description
Job Title: Vice President, Media Relations
Department: Communications
Reports to: Chief Communications Officer
Status: Exempt
Location: Washington, D.C.
Date: March 2022
The RIAA seeks a strategic, message-disciplined, and entrepreneurial Vice President, Media Relations, with excellent writing, strong and current knowledge of the political, tech, and creative industry media, and on-the-record experience to engage with press and drive RIAA messages across all media channels.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Work closely with the RIAA’s Chief Communications Officer and other senior staff members to develop a long-term organizational communications vision and strategy.
- Develop and implement strategic messaging for the RIAA.
- As team leader in media planning and pitching, develop, maintain and strengthen relationships with reporters, producers and editorial decision-makers at political, tech, and creative industry media outlets.
- Develop and implement press-focused activities such as media interviews, editorial boards, television, digital, and/or radio.
- Work closely with representatives of major RIAA member companies and label executives.
- Prepare and distribute news releases, announcements, fact sheets, and other printed, filmed or recorded materials to the media.
- Prepare briefing materials and help prep RIAA’s leadership team in advance of such interviews and appearances.
- Identify rapid response opportunities daily and work with staff to implement them.
- Ensure that the RIAA maintains an up-to-date press list.
- Help manage internal RIAA communications.
- Keep up to date and educated on industry current events and relevant issue areas.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s degree from four-year university and a minimum of 6 years communications experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
- Excellent writing skills, including press releases, op-eds, and social postings.
- Outstanding media relations skills, including the experience and confidence to drive coverage and relevance among key audiences such as national press, D.C. press, regional press, etc.
- The ability to persuasively present complex concepts, programs, and policies to both internal and external audiences.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with experience driving collaborative work relationships. Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong relationships and consensus with a variety of constituencies both inside and outside the organization.
- Current relationships with political, tech, and creative industry media in the U.S., and past experience as an on the record spokesperson or a working journalist.
- Helpful to have music industry or copyright-related experience.
To apply, please email resumé and cover letter in one document to careers@riaa.com.