Media Relations Strategist

OverviewThe Media Relations Strategist works to advance the mission of St. Jude Children''s Research Hospital. This includes maintaining and enhancing the reputation of the extraordinary research and outstanding patient care at St. Jude through creative and strategic earned, owned and paid media about the hospital''s mission, thought leadership, programs, initiatives, and priorities. The Media Relations Strategist develops and implements proactive media efforts promoting St. Jude research, special projects, awards, achievements and select events. The position also assists in the development of editorial calendars and strategies to enhance the hospital''s reputation regionally, nationally, and internationally.The Media Relations Strategist interacts with reporters developing and producing news and feature coverage about St. Jude employees, patients, initiatives, and events. At the same time, the Media Relations Strategist works to cultivate and maintain excellent relationships with reporters, editors, and key news personnel at print, online and broadcast media. The Strategist responds to media requests for information or expert commentary in accordance with the messaging and strategies developed by the Director of Media Relations and the Vice President of Strategic Communication, Education and Outreach.The ideal candidate has excellent written and oral communication skills, as well as exceptional critical listening and thinking skills. The Strategist must collaborate well with other team members, deftly manage stakeholder expectations, and meet key deliverables. Candidates must be knowledgeable of AP Style and should be prepared to work some evenings and weekends for occasional events or high need situations.The position is on site and reports to the Director of Media RelationsResponsibilitiesExecute tactics from strategic media plans and editorial calendars to generate regional/national/international coverage of St. Jude Children''s Research Hospital discoveries, programs, and differentiators in a wide variety of news media outlets, including consumer media and medical/scientific trade mediaProactively pitch news and feature story ideas to the media and develop long-term projects to promote key people (particularly senior hospital leadership), programs, and initiatives within areas of responsibilityHelp organize and orchestrate press conferences and other media events when appropriateDevelop target media lists, organizes and oversees the collection of news coverage and reporting analyticsWork with the Director of Media Relations to respond to negative, sensitive, or particularly impactful media issues. Assist the Director with media training for select university thought leadersLiaise with other members of the Strategic Communication, Education and Outreach department for a variety of projects, whether it''s website redesign, video projects, owned assets, etc.Perform all other duties as assignedMinimum EducationBachelor''s degree required, preferably in communications, public relations, print journalism, marketing or other related fieldMaster''s degree preferredMinimum ExperienceSeven (7) years of experience working in media relations, print journalism or any combination of these roles is requiredExperience working with local, regional and national media and a proven track record of placements within national outlets utilizing consumer and/or medical scientific media is required. Strong media relationships a mustThorough understanding of integrating multimedia, social media and online media strategies requiredExperience working in a health care or scientific setting is preferredOther InformationSt. Jude is an Equal Opportunity EmployerNo Search Firms:St. Jude Children''s Research Hospital does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. Please do not call or email. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee or other representative at St. Jude via email, the internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place and approved by HR will result in no fee being paid in the event the candidate is hired by St. Jude.COVID-19 vaccine:As of September 10, 2021, St. Jude Children''s Research Hospital has mandated the COVID-19 vaccine for all employees, excluding those with an approved medical or religious accommodation, as a condition of employment.

Created: 2025-11-15