Media Relations and Storytelling Associate

The Media Relations and Storytelling Associate is responsible for writing compelling content and generating media coverage of United Way’s work in our community. You will do this by creating compelling and engaging content about our donors, corporate partners, partner agencies, staff and the people we serve. You will pitch stories and coverage to media and repurpose materials for our website and for distribution through our social media and newsletter channels. You will write with clarity, compassion and care about United Way’s mission, investment priority areas, and our donors, partner agencies and human services. As an outstanding writer, your love of storytelling and commitment to equity and asset-framing will result in narratives that advance our work by treating the people and agencies we serve and partner with dignity and respect.  

Essential Functions

• Write news releases, media advisories, talking points/key messages and letters to the editor, collaborating closely with the CMO and internal constituents to establish key messages, gather relevant statistics and confirm tone, manner and accuracy for all stories by obtaining all required approvals before distribution.

• Pitch and distribute news releases, media advisories and reach out directly and personally by phone and email to reporters to generate news coverage of United Way events, grant opportunities and issues relevant to our mission.

• Monitor news coverage of United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania and our senior leadership team, sending coverage links to the Marketing team.

• Assist in devising and updating a year-round communications calendar for media relations, blog posts and other written storytelling.

• Draft communications plans for United Way’s roughly two dozen donor and volunteer engagement events each year and circulate for approval and input.

• Schedule and participate in regular check-in meetings with community impact, donor relations, marketing and volunteer engagement staff to develop compelling and meaningful story ideas that you will execute and complete those stories with the direction of the CMO. 

• Serve as Marketing’s internal point person on our “single source of truth” documents that are used as resources by all staff across the organization.

• Write and contribute to the development of relevant and compelling content for our website, writing about upcoming events and engagement opportunities.

• Participate in crisis communications planning and fulfillment as needed.

• Follow AP style and our internal style documents, including DEI language guidance, key messages and style guide overrides- and help our internal staff how to follow these guidelines.

Additional Functions

• With direction from the CMO, write blog posts and feature-style stories about our donors, staff, corporate partners, partner agencies, the people they serve and the major mission-related and human services issues affecting our community, circulating to relevant internal and external stakeholders for approval.

• Write copy for projects including but not limited to: email marketing, campaign materials, website content, donor outreach and event scripts.

• Assist in the ongoing gathering and curation of content for our website and collaborating with our communications and social media coordinator, marketing manager and CMO to develop new story and content ideas for all channels.

• Supports marcomm team efforts to build content and brand consistency across all channels (web, digital, social print) and adhere to core messaging, brand voice, style, etc.

• Fosters innovation and creativity by encouraging new ways of thinking and working, sharing best or promising practices from others, and establishing a safe environment for risk-taking.

• Assists with the organization’s disaster response efforts, when necessary.

• Other non-essential functions and responsibilities or duties as related or assigned.

People Management Responsibilities

• None.

Financial/Budgetary Responsibilities

• None.

Education and Experience

• Required

  • A bachelor’s degree in journalism, professional writing, communications or in a related field.

  • One to three years of writing and media relations experience.

  • Strong storytelling, copywriting and editing skills, including correct punctuation, spelling and grammatical usage. Familiarity with AP style is preferred.

• Preferred

  • One to three years of communications experience in a nonprofit setting. 

Annual Salary

• Pay Grade 104

• Salary Range  $41,818 - $45,000

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent written communicator in genres including news releases, feature stories and writing for the web.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

• Exceptional creativity and innovation.

Certifications/Licenses

• Required

  • None

• Preferred

• Driver’s License
   

Physical Demand

• Light - Exerting up to 20 lbs. of force occasionally and/or up to 10 lbs. force frequently and/or a negligible amount of force constantly. Even when weight lifted is negligible, a job is rated light when  1) it involves walking or standing to a significant degree; 2) it requires sitting most of the time but involves pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg controls; 3) it involves working at a production rate that requires constant pushing or pulling of materials.

Travel Requirements

• Occasional travel within the region via ground transportation

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change; new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.