Media Relations Manager (Hybrid)

Media Relations Manager (Hybrid)

Chicago, IL

The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), published continuously since 1883, is an international peer-reviewed general medical journal. JAMA is a member of the JAMA Network family of journals, which includes 11 specialty journals and JAMA Network Open. The JAMA Network provides access to the research, reviews, and opinions shaping the future of medicine.

At AMA, our mission to improve the health of the nation starts with our people. We foster an inclusive, people-first culture where every employee is empowered to perform at their best. Together, we advance meaningful change in health care and the communities we serve.

We encourage and support professional development for our employees, and we are dedicated to social responsibility. We invite you to learn more about us and we look forward to getting to know you.

We have an opportunity at our corporate offices in Chicago for a Media Relations Manager (Hybrid) on our Scientific Publication team. This is a hybrid position reporting into our Chicago, IL office, requiring 3 days a week in the office.

This role is responsible for advancing the visibility and understanding of JAMA Network research through day-to-day execution of proactive media relations and communications activities. The role focuses on identifying newsworthy research, pitching across beats, and maintaining trusted relationships with journalists covering medicine, science, health policy, and public health. The role ensures accurate, impactful coverage of peer-reviewed science while supporting the organization's global communication goals.

This role requires in-depth conceptual and practical knowledge in their job discipline and basic knowledge of related job disciplines. This role solves complex problems and works with independence, receiving minimal guidance. This role may drive defined workstreams within a broader project or may have accountability for ongoing activities or objectives. Typically acts as a resource for colleagues with less experience.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Media Relations and Operation

• Identifies and pitches JAMA Network research, editorials, and editorial initiatives to local, national, and global journalists aligned with outlet medium, reporter beat/topic, and reporter geographic location.
• Serves as the primary contact for media inquiries, coordinating interviews, responding to requests for information, and ensuring timely follow-up.
• Manages operational aspects of embargoed content for the JAMA Network's journals, including maintaining and auditing embargoed access lists, reviewing and approving access requests, enforcing embargo policies, and educating journalists on embargo expectations.
• Monitors breaking news, policy developments, and emerging health topics to flag timely media opportunities and support rapid response efforts, escalating issues and opportunities to senior staff as appropriate.
• Assists with management of all media relations systems, including but not limited to the JAMA Network Media Center, weekday emails about embargoed JAMA Network content, and tip sheets.

Communications Messaging and Amplification

• Drafts and supports development of communications materials including press releases, talking points, FAQs, internal summaries, and key messages, working closely with senior staff to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Supports outreach to global audiences, adapting messaging for international press and connecting institutional partners with media outlets.
• Pilots outreach methods that extend reach beyond traditional news media, including content creators, podcasts, and newsletters, with careful attention to credibility, audience fit, and risk.
• Applies understanding of JAMA Network editorial and embargo policies to support issues management, sensitive topics, or crisis communications.
• Contributes to messaging used across earned and owned communications channels, including newsletters, stakeholder presentations, and internal communications.
• Collaborates across teams (communications, editorial, marketing, and product) to align messaging, timing, and priorities.

Leverage Technologies to Drive Efficiencies

• Collaborate with the Communications Analytics Manager to leverage media monitoring tools and AI enabled platforms to track coverage, surface trends, and support reporter targeting.
• Applies analytics and insights, provided by Communications Analytics Manager, to inform pitching strategies, strengthen journalist targeting, and continuously improve communications effectiveness and efficiency.
• Analyzes and reports results to senior staff, supporting continuous improvement and adaptation of communications approaches.
• Supports adoption of new tools and workflows that improve speed and responsiveness in media relations and communications operations.
  
  

May include other responsibilities as assigned

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Bachelor's degree required
   
2. 5+ years of experience in journalism, media relations, corporate communications or similar field.
3. Excellent written and verbal communication skills adaptable to diverse channels and audiences
4. Organizational skills, ability to prioritize tasks, and ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
5. Strong news judgment and ability to craft compelling stories from complex topics.
6. Familiarity with using large language models (LLMs), prompt engineering, and/or AI-enabled tools
7. Experience with media monitoring/analytics platforms (or, experience identifying trends within large data sets) preferred.
8. Familiarity with medical content and/or scholarly publishing a plus.