MEDIA RELATIONS MANAGER

About The Mercatus Center At George Mason University

For over 40 years, the Mercatus Center at George Mason University has been the world’s premier university source for market-oriented ideas—bridging the gap between academic ideas and real-world problems. A university-based research center, Mercatus works to advance knowledge about how markets work to improve our lives by training graduate students, conducting research, and applying sound economics to offer solutions to society’s most pressing problems.

The Mercatus Center at George Mason University is seeking a creative and entrepreneurial individual to join our team as a Media Relations Manager. The ideal candidate is eager to pursue unconventional and high-impact media opportunities that effectively promote Mercatus ideas to emerging and traditional media alike. This role is responsible for overseeing the dissemination of Mercatus research and ideas to members of the media via activities such as pitch writing and promotion, editing short-form commentary & opinion content, coordinating messaging across traditional and emerging media channels, and building relationships with key journalists and writers. This role will work closely with members of the Communications and Marketing, Policy Research, and Outreach teams, and will report to the Director of Media Relations.

This role is based in person in Arlington, VA, with the ability to work remotely 2 days a week.

Responsibilities

• Pitch Mercatus research and scholars to targeted reporters and media outlets through press releases, personal emails, and in-person meetings
• Serve as a communications representative for specific research programs, determining research release strategies and dates
• Edit short-form commentary and opinion pieces for external publications and organizational channels
• Work with specific research programs to create and execute short- and long-term strategic communication plans for each program
• Craft messaging, press releases, and key points to effectively explain Mercatus research findings
• Build and maintain strategic media lists and relationships with members of the media
• Assist in training scholars to prepare for media interviews and public events
  
  

You may be right for this role if you’ve done one or more of the following:

• Started a blog, newsletter, or similar venture
• Started or produced a top-flight podcast
• Worked in a newsroom as a copyeditor or fact checker
• Written a regular column for a news outlet
• Reported on science, technology, economics, or other areas where you had to make technical matters accessible to a popular audience
• Marketed your own small business
• Produced videos that told clear and compelling stories
• Worked at start-up or small company that required you to manage multiple responsibilities, including internal or external communications
  
  

Candidates will ideally have 3+ years of experience relevant to the role.

How To Apply

Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials (in order) in one PDF document:

• Cover letter describing your interest in the position, alignment with the mission of Mercatus, location preferences, and salary requirements
• Résumé
  
  

Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: talentmarket.org/apply-for-your-dream-job/

Questions can be directed to Savannah Rupp, Project Manager at Talent Market, who is managing the search: savannah@talentmarket.org.

There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.

While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.

Talent Market is a nonprofit entity dedicated to promoting liberty by helping free-market nonprofits identify talent for critical roles. We provide consulting and recruiting services at no cost to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that clearly and directly focus on advancing the principles of economic freedom, free enterprise, free trade, free speech, property rights, rule of law, and limited regulation.