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 October 2025. The media relations assistant reports to the director of media relations.

This position requires the ability to translate complex policy material into clear and straightforward prose. Candidates must be able to meet deadlines and handle multiple tasks in a frequently busy and demanding environment. 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 to selected members of the media, including print and online journalists; beat reporters; columnists; reporters and editors working for specialized trade publications, wire services, and national news bureaus; TV and radio hosts; correspondents; producers; and members of foreign outlets.
• Integrate FDP 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’ work to reporters and broadcast journalists; coordinating the resulting interviews; and tracking all print, television, radio, and online coverage and commentary.
• Distill scholars’ work, which often discusses complex policy issues, into shorter formats that members of the media can easily digest.
• Build relationships with all FDP scholars and identify general publicity goals (including a list of targeted media outlets). For each long-term project, promote books, reports, and events.
• Arrange media briefings and dinners between AEI scholars and journalists.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for media requests involving AEI scholars who specialize in national security and foreign and defense policy.
• Draft press pitches and releases about FDP scholars and their work.
• Edit op-eds and other commentary, and submit them on scholars’ behalf.
• Arrange TV and radio interviews of FDP scholars.
• Brainstorm and execute major promotional efforts for special publications and projects by coordinating with other members of the communications team (including in the Design, Digital Strategy, and Video departments).
• Work with AEI’s Critical Threats Project on strategies for promoting the project’s research.

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:
  • 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 think strategically and plan comprehensive media and marketing campaigns; and
  • Familiarity with Microsoft Office, including Excel, Outlook, and Word. Experience working with HubSpot, Marketo (or a similar email marketing platform), Salesforce, and SharePoint and familiarity with Chicago style are pluses.
• Candidates should be able to establish and maintain effective relationships with AEI scholars and well-known, important members of the national media. Existing contacts with members of the media are a plus.
• Experience working in a Washington, DC, newsroom or press office is a plus, as is a special interest or focus in national security or foreign and defense policy studies.
• An understanding of the social media landscape (especially as it relates to media, policy, and politics) is a plus.
• Knowledge of TV studio equipment is useful.

Benefits

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

Compensation is based on a number of factors, including the position’s scope and responsibilities; a candidate’s full-time, applicable work experience; key skills and qualifications; and 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.