Media Relations Assistant, Foreign and Defense Policy

The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) seeks a full-time, in-person media relations assistant to promote AEI scholars and their work in national security and foreign and defense policy. The anticipated start date for this position is as soon as possible.

The media relations assistant reports to the director of media relations. Duties include the following:

• Promote AEI’s Foreign and Defense Policy (FDP) scholars and their work to selected media while building relationships with each.
• Integrate FDP scholars and their work into the national conversation.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for media requests related to national security, foreign policy, and defense.
• Arrange media briefings.
• Draft media pitches and releases.
• Distill lengthy documents about complex policy issues into shorter formats.
• Promote and facilitate media coverage of conferences and events.
• Track metrics.
• Work with the communications team on special projects.

This position requires excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to translate complex policy material into clear and straightforward prose. Candidates must have a keen interest in policy and be able to handle multiple tasks in a frequently busy and demanding environment. Experience with deadlines and related work is preferred. Strong applicants will have existing contacts among print and online journalists, reporters, producers, and editors from national news bureaus, including TV and radio networks and cable news. The ideal candidate must be able to think strategically and plan comprehensive media outreach. A bachelor’s degree in international relations, history, English, or political science is preferred.

Qualified candidates should submit a resume, cover letter demonstrating their interest in AEI’s mission, academic transcript, and 500-word writing sample on any topic.

• Promote AEI’s Foreign and Defense Policy (FDP) scholars and their work among selected media (including print and online beat reporters, columnists, wire service reporters and editors, reporters and editors working for specialized trade publications, TV and radio hosts, correspondents, producers, and selected foreign media).
• Integrate AEI scholars and their work into the national conversation by monitoring current events and news coverage of foreign policy, defense issues, and national security; pitching scholars and their work to appropriate reporters and broadcast journalists; coordinating the resulting interviews; and keeping records of all print, television, radio, and online coverage of the AEI scholars and their work and comments.
• Synthesize scholars’ work, which often describes complex policy issues, into shorter formats that reporters, editors, producers, and other media personnel can easily digest.
• Build relationships with all FDP scholars and identify general and specific publicity goals (including targeted media) for each long-term project, including books, reports, and events.
• Arrange regular briefings (in person or via zoom) between AEI scholars and journalists.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for media requests involving AEI scholars and national security, foreign policy, and defense.
• Draft press pitches and press releases about FDP scholars and their work.
• Edit op-eds and other commentary, and submit them on scholars’ behalf.
• Track metrics on all media coverage of AEI scholars and their work in national security, foreign policy, and defense.
• Promote and facilitate all media coverage of FDP events at AEI. Arrange TV and radio interviews of FDP scholars. (Knowledge of Comrex and TV studio equipment is useful.)
• Brainstorm, plan, and execute major promotions for special publications and projects by coordinating and working with other members of the communications team (including in the Digital Strategy, Design, and Video departments).

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions at AEI

• The employee is regularly expected to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, and keyboard. This job requires close-up vision for computer work.
  
• The employee must be able to lift up to 30 pounds.
  
• The employee must be able to work in a confined area.
  
• Moderate noise (e.g., from computers, phones, printers, and light traffic) is expected.
  
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities associated with this position.

• A bachelor’s degree is required. A degree in international relations, history, English, or political science is preferred.
• Candidates should have 0–2 years of previous applicable full-time work experience ; previous internship experience is strongly preferred.
• Candidates must have the following qualities:
  
  • Strong written and oral communication skills and the ability to work well on a team
  • An interest in current events and major policy debates
  • An understanding of news media needs and processes and what defines news
  • An interest in and knowledge of the legislative process
  • Assertiveness, creativity, and confidence in pitching AEI scholars and their work to the media
  • The ability to strategize and plan comprehensive media and marketing campaigns
  • Familiarity with Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, and Excel
• The following qualities are pluses:
  
  • Experience working with HubSpot, Marketo (or a similar email marketing platform), Salesforce, and Sharepoint and familiarity with AP style
  • Experience working in a Washington, DC, newsroom or press office and a special interest or focus in national security and foreign and defense policy studies
  • An understanding of the social media landscape (especially as it relates to media, policy, and politics)
  • Existing contacts with print and online journalists, reporters, producers, and editors from national news bureaus, including TV and radio networks and cable news

Benefits

AEI offers generous benefits, including 18 days of paid leave (15 days of paid annual leave and 3 personal/floating holidays); 12 days of paid sick leave; paid family leave; medical and dental coverage, in addition to a health savings account; medical and dependent care FSA; a tuition assistance program of up to $5,200; life and disability insurance at no cost to employees; and a 403b retirement plan with a 12% contribution from AEI, among other benefits. For more information, you can see a full summary of our benefits here.

Compensation is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to: scope and responsibilities of the position; a candidate's full-time, applicable work experience; key skills and qualifications; as well as internal and external market considerations. The salary range for this full-time, exempt position is $50,000 - $54,000. Salary is just one component of AEI’s total compensation package for employees.