Media Relations Associate

About the Roosevelt Institute

The Roosevelt Institute takes on today’s greatest public policy challenges by advancing bold, cutting-edge research and policy ideas. We believe that the future of the American economy and our democracy depends on a new way of thinking about markets and government—and have successfully engaged with policymakers and the media to inform and shape public debate. Too few people hold too much economic and political power today, and we know that a stronger society is possible if we rectify this imbalance between private actors and the public. With a commitment to transforming corporations, restructuring markets, reviving democratic institutions, and reimagining the role of government, our work moves our nation toward a more resilient, equitable, and green future.

The Roosevelt Institute is a think tank, a student network, and the nonprofit partner to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum that, together, are learning from the past and working to redefine our collective future. Focusing on corporate and public power, labor and wages, and the economics of race and gender inequality, the Roosevelt Institute unifies experts, invests in young leaders, and advances progressive policies that bring the legacy of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt into the 21st century.

Our Culture

At Roosevelt, we recognize that the culture of the workplace and opportunities for career growth and development are important to all. We believe that diversity of background and experience among our people make our work to rewrite the rules of our social and economic realities stronger. Roosevelt is an equal opportunity employer and, as such, affirms in policy and practice to consider all applications in all job classifications, without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, familial status, military status, height and weight, genetic predisposition or carrier status, arrest record, or other legally protected status. We strongly encourage people with diverse work and life experiences, diverse educational backgrounds, and diverse cultures to apply.

What You’ll Do

This role will be responsible for developing and implementing effective communication strategies as part of the media relations team, monitoring media coverage, creating and distributing content, and supporting special projects and administrative needs of the communications team. This will include conducting research that informs the larger media strategy, actively monitoring media coverage, and creating a variety of different press materials. This role will also compile and distribute daily media clips, create social media content, and support data tracking. 

This is a nonmanagement (individual contributor), unionized role.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Media Relations 

• Provide in-depth research on reporters, independent writers, and media outlets to inform media strategy development and/or to prepare spokespeople for interviews, which includes:
  • Media monitoring, including monitoring news and social media 
  • Pitching relevant story ideas to reporters 
  • Developing a subset of media relationships
• Support the planning, coordination, and staffing of media events, convenings, webinars, trainings, panels, etc.
• Draft fact sheets, media advisories, press releases, and other communications products
• Research media strategies and background information for drafting and pitching opinion pieces
• Maintain an active database of current opinion pages, their content, and editors

Social Media 

• Support the digital team in identifying media, content creators, and coverage to follow and engage with 
• Identify and develop new tactics to engage with news media, content creators, and influencers via social platforms
• Draft social media content, especially when engaging with reporters and media influencers, and share mentions of Roosevelt in the news

Administrative Team Support 

• Consistently track and assess quarterly media data from relevant trackers and Muck Rack (PR database), and prepare summary report drafts that will be presented to senior teams
• Build and maintain media lists on Muck Rack, including researching and compiling custom media lists (outlets, reporters relevant to forthcoming reports, political news, etc.)
  • Collaborate with the systems team on Salesforce, auditing media contacts to make sure that records are as accurate as possible, and on other backend tasks as needed 
• Captain updates to our Asana calendars and projects 
• Coordinate departmental media, software, and publications subscriptions/renewals in consultation with the Director and Managing Director, Media Relations
• Compile and distribute daily morning media clips and weekly clips for the Network team; update clips search terms monthly to ensure that they are serving all think tank teams; use clips in conjunction with other teams and strategies to ensure a timely response to current events
• Prepare monthly departmental credit card finance submissions in partnership with the Vice President, Communications

What You’ll Have

• At least two years of experience in media relations and/or journalism and communications
  • Internships and professional experience in fast-paced, high-volume public relations firms, communications in progressive political campaigns or offices, nonprofit communications, or media outlets are a plus.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, and experience with Chicago style or a similar media style 
• Ability to work on a variety of different projects and be proactive in identifying needs to support the larger team 
• Affinity for closely following the news and being in the know
• Preference for online media platforms, including deep progressive and journalist connectivity and deftness with several social media platforms
• Genuine excitement about bringing the Roosevelt Institute’s ideas to new audiences
• Familiarity and interest in progressive economic policy and government
• Experience leveraging media research in Muck Rack or a similar media database

Salary: The salary range for this position is $64,922 to $73,036, plus benefits.

The priority application deadline is Friday, June 13, 2025. 

To apply, please upload your resume and cover letter. Please reach out to jobs@rooseveltinstitute.org if you have any questions.

The Roosevelt Institute provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, alienage or citizenship status, marital status or domestic partner status, genetic information, genetic predisposition or carrier status, gender identity, HIV status, military status and any other category protected by law in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.

To learn more about the Roosevelt Institute, please visit https://rooseveltinstitute.org.