Media Relations Manager
Agency Overview
Scott Circle Communications (SCC) is an award-winning, woman-owned public relations firm that has worked for 20 years with nonprofits, associations, and advocacy organizations whose mission is to make the world a better place. Our clients view us as an extension of their team because we share their passion for their work and achieving their goals.
Our Washington, D.C.-based agency is seeking a passionate, curious, creative, and driven individual with strong media relations skills to join our results-oriented public relations team. The ideal candidate is a true news junkie—someone who reads morning media newsletters when they wake up, follows journalists across social platforms, deeply understands how modern newsrooms operate, and is motivated to learn and sharpen their craft continually.
We're looking for someone who understands how media relations actually works and knows that having media contacts is important, but that it only pays off if you have a timely, compelling story and a well-crafted pitch. We need a team member who knows how to spot a great hook, build real relationships, and aggressively leverage real-time opportunities to secure meaningful coverage that advances our clients' missions.
Position Overview
This position is heavily focused on media relations. The Media Relations Manager is an integral team member who drives day-to-day earned media strategy and execution for multiple client accounts. This role is designed for a PR practitioner with at least 5 years of media relations experience and a proven track record of securing media placements. Agency experience is strongly preferred. The Media Relations Manager operates with a high degree of independence in media outreach, content creation, and account execution, under the guidance of senior managers, to deliver outstanding service and results.
Specific Roles + Responsibilities:
Client Responsibilities
• Media Outreach: Proactively originate and pitch creative, timely story angles to national, local, trade, broadcast, podcast, and digital outlets. Execute rapid-response outreach when breaking-news opportunities arise, and secure consistent, high-impact press coverage for clients.
• Media Materials Development: Draft and edit client-ready PR collateral, including pitches, press releases, media advisories, talking points, and briefing memos.
• Build Media Relationships: Actively build and maintain relationships with key journalists, editors, and producers across a variety of national, local, and trade outlets.
• Media Monitoring: Proactively monitor daily news cycles to identify real-time opportunities and relevant news hooks for clients. Perform periodic AI visibility audits for clients to monitor how the brand/issue is viewed online.
• Interview Coordination + Preparation: Schedule, staff, and facilitate virtual and on-site media interviews and press conferences. Draft comprehensive briefing memos and talking points to prepare clients for media interviews.
• Media List Building + Management: Build media lists with tools such as Airtable and Muck Rack. Utilize AI tools responsibly to research journalist beats, uncover insights, test ideas, and identify emerging news trends for proactive pitching. Oversee media lists created by Interns.
• Media Metrics Reporting: Track earned media results, analyze coverage metrics, synthesize quantitative/qualitative results, and make informed recommendations for client metrics reports.
• Integrated Communications Support: Support digital and social media collateral creation to amplify earned media wins across client channels.
• On-Site Media Management: Occasionally manage press logistics for client events and press conferences, including reporter check-in, staffing the press area, coordinating interview and photo access, and fielding on-site media questions.
Agency Responsibilities
· Manage day-to-day media relations execution across assigned SCC accounts.
· Coach and review work product from Interns, providing real-time feedback on pitching and media relations tactics.
· Support new business development through media audits, press research, and media target analysis for proposals and pitch decks.
· Assist with agency marketing initiatives, including award submissions and social media content.
· Other duties as assigned.
Competencies + Skills Evaluated On
• Media Pitching + Placements: Demonstrated ability to translate client news into compelling media angles that secure coverage, reach client audiences, and advance client goals.
• Creative Story Development: Ability to independently originate fresh, timely pitch angles and hooks.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills; strong editing and AP Style command.
• Time Management + Initiative: Ability to multitask across multiple client accounts, prioritize workload independently, and anticipate client/team needs.
• Problem-Solving + Adaptability: Solutions-oriented mindset when navigating changing news cycles or evolving account goals.
• Collaboration: Constructive team player who works effectively with clients, manages up with senior leaders, and supports the professional growth of Interns.
• Strategic + Analytical Thinking: Ability to connect earned media tactics to broader client campaign goals and interpret coverage metrics to inform recommendations.
• AI Tool Fluency: Uses generative AI tools ethically and effectively to support research, media monitoring, and pitch development.
Supervisory Responsibilities
Provides day-to-day project guidance and coaching to Interns.
Qualifications
• Education: B.A. or B.S. degree.
• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of media relations experience in agency, advocacy, nonprofit, or Hill environments.
• Media Track Record: Proven, successful record of placing stories across national, local, and trade print, broadcast, and online media outlets.
• Industry and AI Tools: Proficiency with media and PR tools such as Muck Rack, G-Suite, social media platforms, and AI tools.
• Detail-Oriented + Driven: Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• DEI Commitment: Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in storytelling, media outreach, and workplace collaboration.
Location
Remote. Must live in the DMV area and have the ability to work in our Washington, DC office or on-site with a client, as needed and directed by the Managing Director. Minimal amount of travel required.
Salary Range + Benefits
Salary Range: $72,000 - $85,000
Benefits
Subject to the terms of the particular plan or policy, you will be eligible to participate in the Company's benefit programs as in effect. The Company may alter or eliminate benefit programs and/or policies, including but not limited to leave policies, from time to time, to the extent permitted by law. Currently offered benefits include:
• Flexible paid time off
• 401K plan with matching from SCC – subject to terms and conditions
• Partial cell phone reimbursement
• Medical coverage, with a portion paid by SCC
• Dental and vision coverage, 100% of costs covered by SCC
• Long-term disability, short-term disability, and life insurance 100% of costs covered by SCC
• 12 paid holidays
• Discretionary company closing between Christmas Eve and New Year's
How to Apply
Please send your resume, 1-2 relevant writing samples (e.g., press release, pitch email, briefing memo), and introductory email to careers@scottcircle.com. Please write Media Relations Manager in the subject line. No phone calls, please.
SCC is an equal opportunity employer. SCC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, disability, source of income, credit information, place of residence or business, or any other trait protected under the DC Human Rights Act and applicable federal law.