Media Assistant

New York, NY

Full Time

Entry Level

The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law seeks a media assistant to join our Media & Strategy team at the organization’s New York headquarters, a section of the Communications & Strategy Department.

One of the Brennan Center’s primary goals is driving the national conversation around issues of democracy and justice. As part of our communications effort, the Brennan Center has a team of five media strategists who work with the press. They generate media attention that is most helpful in advancing our issues and promoting the organization. The media assistant provides daily administrative and operational support to the media strategists. The role requires an interest in the press and in government reform as a way to make change. Candidates must take pride in being organized and accurate, managing complex tasks under time pressure, and contributing to a team effort. The position is ideal for someone who is considering a career in communications.

Note: This is a hybrid position. Staff are currently working from home 2 days a week. This position is based in New York City.

Responsibilities

The media assistant works in a fast-paced, high-volume work environment with dozens of stakeholders. The Brennan Center’s variety of issues keeps the media team extremely busy, and the media assistant is no exception. The media assistant’s specific duties include:

Fielding, trafficking, and keeping records of incoming requests from the press; scheduling interviews with reporters, coordinating closely with staff experts
Managing a database with thousands of press contacts: maintaining issue-specific press lists, creating new lists, updating and expanding current lists; using a web-based platform to format and send press releases, media advisories, and other materials for the press
Executing press plans developed by media strategists, coordinating closely with them and staff experts
Drafting press materials (e.g., media advisories, press releases, social media copy for press hits)
Scouting the web and social media for new reporters and outlets for Brennan Center work
Responding quickly when news breaks (and occasionally putting in night and weekend hours)
Conducting research on members of the press, media outlets, developments in the news, and other subjects, often on short notice
Using a content management system to publish press releases and cross-post op-eds on the Brennan Center website
Creating and distributing clip reports and other summaries of media work; running reports on press metrics using a web-based analytics platform
Managing the technology and scheduling for press briefings
Participating in daily media team meetings
Applying Brennan Center editorial style to written materials
Managing interns
Other organizational tasks related to the media team’s work and to the Communications Department as needed

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree
A minimum of 1-2 years of work experience in publicity, journalism, publishing, communications, or another field related to the media; experience at a communications firm preferred
Strong skills in organizing, researching, and writing
Sharp attention to detail
Ability to proofread
Ability to work constructively, collaboratively, and professionally under deadline pressure
Ability to juggle multiple projects simultaneously
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and Google Docs and Spreadsheets
Basic HTML a plus
Familiarity with Basecamp a plus

The Brennan Center is committed to advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace. We continuously work with our staff to find new ways to increase diversity and to build and cultivate an inclusive and equitable work environment, where everyone can be their true self and feel a strong sense of belonging. As such, we seek to hire employees who have a commitment to and/or experience with diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, we expect employees to participate/contribute with DEI initiatives or activities with recruitment, retention, and workplace culture.

Salary: The salary is competitive in the field and commensurate with experience. A generous benefits package is available as well.

Applications: Applications will be considered on a rolling basis and decisions will be made as soon as exemplary candidates are identified. To apply, please visit URL https://brennancenter.applytojob.com/apply/IklW6pd55u/Media-Assistant Please upload the following application materials: cover letter (copy and paste where indicated), resume, and contact information for three references. In addition, please provide a writing sample with a brief note saying why you wrote it and, if applicable, where it has been published. No phone calls or faxes. Please reference where you saw this posting.

If you have difficulty with the online system, you may send your application by e-mail to: brennancenterjobs@nyu.edu with “Media Assistant” in the subject line, after registering in the online system. Applying through our website is strongly preferred.

Note: The Brennan Center is committed to public health and to the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and visitors. As such, we have adopted a policy requiring all employees working in the New York and Washington, DC offices to be vaccinated against COVID-19, including having a booster, or to meet the legal guidelines for an exemption.

The Brennan Center for Justice is committed to a workplace based on equal opportunity and a strong belief in the increased effectiveness that comes from a diverse workforce. To this end, Brennan Center

Welcomes and hires applicants of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, socioeconomic identities and sexual orientations, including people who have been previously incarcerated;
Creates a workplace where true diversity is fostered and different perspectives are valued and freely exchanged;
Ensures that all members of the Brennan Center community feel welcome and respected, and have equal opportunities to thrive and advance within the institution; and  
Is committed to supporting low-income communities and communities of color particularly affected by social inequities.

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