Media Relations and Content Manager

Overview of ACLS

Formed a century ago, the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) is a nonprofit federation of 85 scholarly organizations.  As the leading representative of American scholarship in the humanities and social sciences, our core principle is that knowledge is a public good. As such, ACLS strives to promote the circulation of humanistic knowledge throughout society. In addition to stewarding and representing its member organizations, ACLS employs its endowment and $34 million annual operating budget to support scholarship in the humanities and social sciences and to advocate for its central role in the twenty-first century.

Job Summary

ACLS is seeking a versatile, editorially sharp, and creative Media Relations & Content Manager to help develop and amplify strong, compelling content about ACLS and its mission, work, and impact to and beyond higher education media. Reporting to the Chief Communications Officer (CCO) and working closely with the Marketing and Operations Manager and staff across the organization, this role will help to further position ACLS as a thought leader and trusted resource on the value of humanities education and research. This role will secure high-quality, on-message content and media placements that engage current and new audiences around ACLS mission and values, while strengthening our visibility and reputation as a leading national voice on constructive dialogue involving higher education.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Media Outreach
  • Help build and maintain ACLS press lists, draft pitches, and support the CCO in securing media coverage;
  • Track and log ACLS media coverage and mentions, contributing to ACLS earned-media goals;
  • Cultivate relationships with relevant journalists and media outlets toward increasing favorable coverage for ACLS, its work, and impact;
  • Work closely with CCO in developing, executing, and refining earned media strategy that includes focus on higher education media, as well as philanthropy, general news, policy, culture, and other outlet categories relevant to ACLS activities and impact;
  • Collaborate with ACLS program and fundraising teams to develop earned media strategies;
  • Write, distribute, and manage responses to press releases and targeted pitches on ACLS, its work, and its impact including competition calls for applications, award announcements, advocacy statements, and grant announcements on the PRNewswire platform;
  • Monitor and strategize around editorial calendars for key media targets;
  • Collaborate with the CCO in developing other media outreach content including op-eds, talking points, briefing documents, and background research; and
  • Track and report on community engagement metrics for earned media and work with CCO on ways to improve metrics, as well as coverage frequency and quality.
• Web features
  • Collaborate with ACLS units to identify and write stories on ACLS community members and impact through video, photography, and written formats, ensuring an authentic and ethical representation of their experiences.
• Digital Asset Development
  • Collaborate with Communications Team in working with external vendors in organizing video shoots of ACLS and developing content including promotional packages, Identify and write stories on ACLS community members and impact;
  • Handle constituent interview, and social media cuts; and
  • Capture photography at events as needed.
• Social media
  • Write social media post content;
  • Collaborate closely with Marketing and Operations Manager in envisioning, developing, and implementing strategies to increase reach, growth, and engagement on ACLS Facebook, BlueSky, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn accounts and the development of a distinct and powerful ACLS voice in related conversations across ACLS social media channels.
• Community Newsletter
  • Oversee content development and organization of monthly community newsletter and ACLS announcements including competition calls for applications, award announcements, and grant announcements;
• Other
  • Present on select projects to staff and leadership as needed;
  • Help manage and execute external communications distribution via Mailchimp, social media, and WordPress.
  • Document processes and policies for Cision, media outreach, content development, etc.
  • Provide general administrative support as needed; and
  • Other duties as assigned to support the Communications Team and ACLS overall.

Qualifications

• 3+ years experience in media relations communications, content marketing, editorial, or journalism, ideally in a mission-driven or higher education context;
• Fluent with third-party marketing tools including Cision, WordPress, Mailchimp, Sprout Social, Microsoft Office, Teams;
• Strong writer and editor with ability to produce clear, concise, accurate, and on message content across different formats;
• Sharp editorial eye with a keen understanding of news cycles and of what makes a story newsworthy;
• Experience crafting strong, compelling pitches and building press relationships;
• Ability to produce clear, accurate, on-message content across different formats including web, social media, print, and more;
• Highly agile, with ability to produce content quickly and shift priorities as needed in a fast-paced environment;
• Strong experience as a cross-functional collaborator with demonstrated ability to work across units, subject-matter experts, and partners;
• Highly organized (we love spreadsheets!) with strong attention to detail. Must be able to build, track, and adjust cross-departmental project timelines; meet deadlines; and build and refine processes and systems for the Communications Team and organization staff;
• Experience using DSLR cameras and capturing basic event photography;
• Familiar with video production basics and working with photo and video vendors;
• Familiarity with the higher education landscape is a plus; and
• Hybrid work schedule; must live within commuting distance of New York City.

Compensation and Benefits

Base salary range: $90,000 - $110,000, commensurate with experience

ACLS offers a comprehensive benefits package; including medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death and disability insurance; generous time off benefits; a retirement savings plan, including employer contributions; and professional development support.