Media Relations Specialist

As a Media Relations Specialist supporting Insurance Advisory Solutions (IAS), you will assist in managing day-to-day media relations execution for IAS - building relationships with reporters who cover insurance, risk management, and financial services, and turning practice expertise into earned coverage and thought leadership. You will partner closely with Director of Communications/IAS Comms Lead, Sr. Director of IAS Marketing, and Sr. Director of Enterprise Communications and Social Media Manager to grow IAS's external visibility, working with national practice SMEs to generate story opportunities, prep spokespeople for interviews, amplify coverage across channels, and manage IAS's annual accolades and awards program. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: Media Relations & Earned Content Development Builds and maintains relationships with reporters, editors, and industry influencers covering insurance, risk management, employee benefits, and financial services (e.g., Insurance Journal, Insurance Business America, Risk & Insurance, Carrier Management, regional business press). Proactively story-mines across IAS practices to identify pitch opportunities, trend commentary, data, and practice expertise that can earn media coverage. Drafts press releases, media alerts, statements, Q&A, and executive bios supporting proactive and reactive media opportunities. Co-creates and maintains a targeted list of media contacts and outlets relevant to IAS, working with the Comms Director/IAS Comms Lead to prioritize engagement. Partners with Practice SMEs, Sr. Director of IAS Marketing, and Sr. Director of Enterprise Communications to source and shepherd thought-leadership opportunities (bylines, speaking placements, award submissions). Media Interview Scheduling, Briefings & Spokesperson Support Coordinates media interview requests end-to-end - scheduling, logistics, and follow-up with reporters and internal spokespeople. Prepares briefing materials, talking points, and Q&A documents to ready SMEs and leaders for interviews. Supports media/message training coordination for spokespeople, in partnership with Enterprise Communications. Serves as day-to-day point of contact for inbound media inquiries related to IAS, triaging and routing requests and escalating sensitive items appropriately. Annual Accolades & Awards Program Management Owns the end-to-end annual accolades and awards process for IAS, including Power Broker submissions and IAS Advisor Accolades, from calendar-setting through submission and results communication. Builds and maintains the annual accolades calendar, working backward from external deadlines to set internal milestones for nomination gathering, drafting, and review. Earned Media Amplification & Social Media Support Packages secured coverage for internal newsletters, leadership updates, and colleague-facing channels to maximize its reach. Partners with the Social Media Manager to amplify earned coverage and thought leadership across LinkedIn and other channels. Monitors media coverage and sentiment using media monitoring tools (e.g., Muck Rack, Cision, Meltwater, Brandwatch), tracking placements and compiling recap reports. Tracks and reports on media relations KPIs on a quarterly and event basis, using findings to refine pitching and outreach approach. Content Development & Communications Support Writes, edits, and proofs media-related content and select internal communications supporting IAS's external visibility - talking points, briefing docs, newsletters, leadership updates. Supports colleague communications around media wins, accolades, and thought leadership to reinforce IAS's brand and culture. Assists with drafting sensitive or reactive statements in partnership with Communications, Legal, and business leaders as needed. Project & Workflow Management Maintains a media relations and accolades calendar tracking pitches, opportunities, interviews, submissions, and coverage across IAS national practices. Balances multiple concurrent media and accolades deadlines, proactively flagging risks and conflicts. Collaborates with IAS Communications, Enterprise Communications, and IAS Marketing to align messaging and priorities. Executes special projects and additional communications initiatives as assigned. Partners with Practice SMEs and advisors to source nomination content, data, and supporting materials; drafts and edits submissions to meet each program’s criteria and voice. Coordinates review and sign-off with the Comms Director/IAS Comms Lead and relevant business leaders before submission. Tracks outcomes and results, and packages wins for internal recognition (newsletters, town calls, social) and external promotion as earned content. Maintains a repository of past submissions, criteria, and judge/organizer contacts to streamline future cycles. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with strong news judgment and the ability to translate technical/practice expertise into compelling media narratives. Demonstrated ability to build and manage reporter relationships, including pitching and follow-up. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; able to manage multiple deadlines and coordinate with SMEs, leaders, and external contacts. Experience managing award/recognition submission processes, including deadline tracking and content coordination with multiple stakeholders, preferred. Comfortable operating under time pressure, including reactive or crisis-adjacent media situations. Proficiency with AI-enabled productivity tools and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). Familiarity with media monitoring/distribution platforms (Cision, Muck Rack, Meltwater, Business Wire/PR Newswire, Canva) and social listening tools (Brandwatch) preferred Working knowledge of the insurance, risk management, or financial services industry and its trade press preferred. EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE: Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience. 3-5+ years of experience in media relations, public relations, journalism, or communications, ideally with direct reporter-pitching experience. Experience coordinating media interviews and briefings for executives or subject matter experts. Experience in insurance, financial services, or another regulated/B2B industry preferred. IMPORTANT NOTICE: This position description is intended to describe the level of work required of the person performing in the role and is not a contract. The essential responsibilities are outlined; other duties may be assigned as needs arise or as required to support the organization. All requirements may be subject to reasonable accommodation to applicants and colleagues who need them for medical or religious reasons. #J-18808-Ljbffr