Job Description

Senior Communications and Media Relations Specialist

The mission of the Allen Institute is to unlock the complexities of bioscience and advance our knowledge to improve human health. Using an open science, multi-scale, team-oriented approach, the Allen Institute focuses on accelerating foundational research, developing standards and models, and cultivating new ideas to make a broad, transformational impact on science.

The mission of the Allen Institute administration team is to provide support and structure to the scientific units. Coinciding with the team science approach, administration helps facilitate team learning and the overall mission of the institute.

The Allen Institute seeks a Senior Communications and Media Relations Specialist to deepen its impact by building relationships with and earning media coverage from non-scientific, mass appeal publications and media outlets, along with cultural periodicals that reach new and untapped audiences. Reporting to the Sr. Manager, Communications & Media Relations, this role sits within the Editorial and Media Team in the Communications Department. This role serves a complementary and supportive function to existing core media relations and outreach strategies.

The Allen Institute believes that team science significantly benefits from the participation of diverse voices, experiences and backgrounds. High-quality science can only be produced when it includes different perspectives. We are committed to increasing diversity across every team and encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for this role.

Essential Functions

• Collaborate across the Communications Department and the Allen Institute to develop strategies and tactics that strengthen the Institute’s reputation, brand, thought leadership, and visibility in the world
• Build and nurture relationships with journalists and editors at mass-appeal, brand, and cultural publications.
• Identify, develop, and pitch story ideas to these journalists, with a focus on people profiles and thematic, high-impact science features outside of day-to-day science news and studies
• Identify and develop submissions to opinion and editorial pages of top-tier publications, in collaboration with internal stakeholders, to drive the Institute’s agenda and capitalize on timely news hooks
• Seek out and secure high-value speaking and presentation opportunities for scientific stakeholders that elevate the Allen Institute, its people, and its brand
• Curate and nurture relationships with producers/hosts of podcasts, vlogs, social influencers, celebrities, and others to amplify the Allen Institute’s mission and impact
• Find and pitch relevant stories, interview opportunities, and content to podcasts, vlogs, social influencers, and other digital channels
• Work independently and collaborate with members of the Communications department to develop written, video, and audio content for distribution on multiple platforms and channels
• Develop metrics and KPIs to measure progress and identify opportunities for improvement

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Media, Communications, Writing or Journalism or equivalent combination of degree and work experience
• 5 years of communications experience in a nonprofit, agency or corporate environment or related
• 5 years of mainstream journalism experience
• Strong project management, writing and organizational skills
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and similar media creation tools to develop visually engaging web pages, social media posts and digital media assets
• Excellent communication, written, verbal, interpersonal and collaborative skills.

Preferred Education and Experience

• 6+ years of communications experience in a nonprofit, agency or corporate environment
• 6+ years of mainstream journalism experience in a variety of newsroom roles and mediums (e.g., television, radio, digital, print)
• A passion for learning and a natural curiosity for science
• Thrive in an innovative environment while remaining flexible, proactive, resourceful and efficient.

Work Environment

• Open-office seating

Physical Demands

• Occasional lifting to 30 pounds
• Fine motor movements in fingers/hands to operate computers and other office equipment; lab equipment
• Push/pull up to 50 pounds
• Stooping, bending, crouching
• Reaching, or climbing ladders

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• This is a hybrid, M-F, regular business hours position with a minimum requirement of three days in the office.
• Occasional evening and weekend hours required

Travel

• Attendance and participation in national conferences required
• Travel related to relationship building and stewardship required

Additional Comments

• Please note, this opportunity does not sponsor work visas and has no relocation assistance

Annualized Salary Range

• $102,000 - $138,800*

* Final salary depends on the required education for the role, experience, level of skills relevant to the role, and work location, where applicable

Benefits

Employees (and their families) are eligible to enroll in benefits per eligibility rules outlined in the Allen Institute’s Benefits Guide. These benefits include medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are also eligible to enroll in the Allen Institute’s 401k plan. Paid time off is also available as outlined in the Allen Institutes Benefits Guide. Details on the Allen Institute’s benefits offering are located at the following link to the Benefits Guide: https://alleninstitute.org/careers/benefits.

It is the policy of the Allen Institute to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Allen Institute will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities

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