Media and Press Relations Specialist

Montana Farmers Union (MFU) Media & Press Relations Specialist

Job Title: Media & Press Relations Specialist

Status: Full-time (40 hours a week) or Part-time (20 hours a week)

Reports to: Communications Director

Work status: In-office (or potential for remote, hybrid)

Position Description:

• Required Experience: Strong writing background, strong relationship building skills, experience in working with press and reporters, writing press and media releases, proactively making contacts for stories and statements. Article and op-ed writing experience is a plus. Knowledge of web-based platforms for uploading content and releases, story content and story production for written and online media. Build strong, trusted relationships with internal clients, reporters, media, and MFU members to help meet individual goals.
• Preferred Experience: Bachelor’s degree in communication, journalism, public relations, English/writing, or similar field. In addition to requirements above, development and execution of strategies that integrate best practices in print, online, journalism, story-writing and media marketing. Videography, social media, and photography experience a plus.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Media & Press Relations Specialist is a key member of the Communications team, supporting all MFU efforts in written, print, and online media as well as supporting and advancing the mission of MFU through press efforts.

Build strong, trusted relationships with internal clients, reporters, media, and MFU members to help meet individual goals. This position supports development and implementation of press and media strategies, working on stories and contacts with reporters and journalists, advancing brand awareness, generating traffic, and encouraging engagement with MFU stories and articles. The Specialist primarily collaborates with the Communications Director to advance the MFU mission. Some weekend work and/or travel may be required.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaboratively develop and execute a press and media strategy to increase visibility among print and online media sources
• Build strong, trusted relationships with internal clients, reporters, media, and MFU members to help meet individual goals.
• Write and send press releases, media advisories, prepare organizational statements and manage and proactively advocate on story follow up with reporters.
• Field calls and set up interviews for media pieces with MFU Board, Staff, and members related to media inquiries.
• Apply print and online media and digital best practices to projects and formulate recommendations to help drive organization outcomes.
• Work with the Communications Director to regularly provide feedback and data-driven insights gained from press and media monitoring to evolve communications strategies.
• Monitor trends in print and media tools, technologies and applications.
• Monitor social media accounts for posts that pose harm to the brand and/or raise issues that should be brought to the attention of leadership.
• Assist Communications and other staff on projects and events as needed.
• Affect and maintain a professional, proactive, positive, highly collaborative, and performance-centric work environment.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Duties and responsibilities may change at any time.

SPECIAL SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ability to work independently or as a team.
• Ability to collaboratively map out a press and media strategy and then drive that strategy.
• Willingness to learn and back up colleagues.

Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter, a resume, and a portfolio to rprevost@montanafarmersunion.com. Compensation will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Pay: $20.00 - $25.00 per hour

Work Location: In person