Job Title: Senior Director, International Media Relations
Serves as the lead strategic media advisor to the sport, health, and global youth and education teams, driving storytelling and content opportunities to capture national, regional and international media attention.
About the Role
The Senior Director of International Media Relations collaborates with programmatic area communications leads and Regional Communications Team members to:
* Develop and execute a global external public relations strategy that supports organizational objectives and broader goals.
* Mine for potential news angles and data to support opportunistic storytelling and establishes an ongoing pipeline of content to pitch for media outreach.
* Identify proactive earned media moments and pitch / place breakthrough stories for targeted audiences in broadcast, print, online and new media.
Responsibilities
The Senior Director for International Media Relations helps support global external awareness efforts and requires working collaboratively across the marketing & communications department, and Special Olympics program staff supporting seven SO regions (Africa, Asia Pacific, East Asia, Europe / Eurasia, Latin America, and Middle East / North Africa, North America).
* Advise the Vice President of International Media Relations and Communications on recommended top tier media and thought leadership opportunities for Special Olympics.
* Provide recommendations on whether and what type of media engagement strategy and approach is required.
* Craft and gain buy-in for high-level strategic communications plans aligned with organizational and donor priorities.
Requirements
The ideal candidate has international media relations experience regularly pitching and securing stories in multiple geographic areas and has a keen understanding of how to improve an organization's public presence through various channels including paid, owned and earned media.
* Minimum of ten years' experience as a journalist or media relations manager in the private or public sector, in or outside the United States.
* Familiarity with emerging media platforms and a news junkie, keeping on top of trends and opportunities.
About Special Olympics
Founded in 1968, Special Olympics is a global movement to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. We foster acceptance of all people through the power of sport and programming in education, health, and leadership.