Director, Media Relations

Company Description

Oxfam is a global organization that fights inequality to end poverty and injustice. We offer lifesaving support in times of crisis and advocate for economic justice, gender equality, and climate action. We demand equal rights and equal treatment so that everyone can thrive, not just survive. 

Oxfam America employees are able to work remotely, but to be considered applicants must reside in one of the following states that are within a 200-mile radius of our offices which are located in Boston and Washington DC: ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ, PA, DE, WV, VA, MD, NC or DC.

Job Description

Coordinates with: Public Engagement team leads and staff across Digital Marketing and Supporter Engagement, Brand and Engagement, Design and Content, Senior Leadership Team, Executive Office, Alliances, Advocacy and Policy division, Global Programs and Impact division, Resource Development division, and media professionals in the Oxfam confederation.

Supervises: Associate Director of Media Relations, entire Media Relations team.

Purpose of Position: Oxfam America is looking for a highly skilled media professional with a proven track record of leading teams and developing strategies to engage the media, positioning Oxfam as the global voice on issues of inequality. Lead a media relations team with high performance capacity and provide strategic counsel and direction on media relations to:

• Support and advance campaign and program goals (including policy, advocacy, humanitarian and development programs) in the U.S. market
• Advance Oxfam’s brand and fundraising efforts in the United States
• Help to design strategies that support Oxfam’s work to influence key policymakers and decision-makers in Washington, DC
• Enhance the visibility of Oxfam’s executives, experts and mission in the United States

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Direct and inspire a hybrid team of media relations professionals in Boston and Washington D.C. and New York to drive maximum market impact with both political and popular audiences. Develop a powerful media presence that will position Oxfam as a thought leader and go-to voice on our issues of interest in a competitive, resource-constrained environment.
• Develop and implement a proactive media relations plan, in support of Oxfam America’s 2030 Strategic Framework
• Provide strategic counsel, briefings, and support to the Oxfam America President to maximize the organization’s visibility through their media presence.
• Work with Media Relations team to build and expand Oxfam relationships with key editors, producers, columnists, reporters, and media personalities with the goal to reach target audiences, which will vary depending on the initiative.
• Lead Media Relations team during rapid response breaking news moments, including humanitarian crises. Serve as primary interface with Oxfam America leadership and support media relations team staff efforts during such crises.
• Actively seek opportunities to expand Oxfam’s US profile using media relations to reach target audiences.
• Oversee media training and spokesperson support across the organization.
• Manage media relations team budget.
• Develop and implement appropriate measurement practices and tools for the media team that will demonstrate achievement and foster a learning-focused, culture of evaluation and experimentation.
• Serve as a key member of the leadership of Publc Engagement, taking a lead role in cross-team projects as needed. Work to ensure alignment of Oxfam messages across channels by collaborating with leaders of those functional areas.
• Collaborate with other Oxfam confederation media relations professionals to deliver joint global initiatives, serving on multi-affiliate global teams as appropriate including as a member of the confederation’s heads of media team.
• Work with the VP, Public Engagement and other colleagues within Oxfam America and the Oxfam confederation on crisis communications.

Expectations for the Position:

• The incumbent will work effectively and collaboratively in support of building a team-based, problem-solving work culture grounded in feminist principles, treating all persons with dignity and respect.
• Will be familiar with and committed to Oxfam America’s mission, values and goals.
• The incumbent will have demonstrated experience creating impactful messaging, a sharp eye for monitoring the latest news trends, and a desire to drive proactive, innovative media strategies.
• Be a relationship-oriented leader who has experience in, and can thrive in a matrix management, team-based culture.
• Be a curious and creative thinker with the ability to turn complex ideas into compelling media strategies that are palata