Associate Media Relations and Issues Management Director

Associate Director, Media Relations & Issues Management

Responsibilities

Serve as company spokesperson; establish and maintain media contacts and anticipate/respond to inquiries.
Develop and drive a proactive media relations program to generate positive coverage across business, healthcare, financial, and consumer press (with PR agency support).
Create strategy to leverage new media to build awareness and positively shape stakeholder perceptions.
Lead media strategy and message platform development; prepare/coaching senior leaders for interviews and external speaking; work with reporters to ensure accurate reporting.
Lead communications excellence activities for USO Leadership Team development (media training, storytelling, crisis/issues readiness).
Ensure alignment with HQ teams so US perspectives are included in global issues; provide updates to USO Comms LT on key issues/crises/trends.
Partner on integrated planning to drive business and reputational goals; pull through one integrated (corporate and commercial) narrative across media, issues, and crisis communications (validated through testing).
Contribute to integrated metrics linking media/issues communications to corporate reputation/business objectives.
Assess potential issues using market insights, AI, and media intelligence; devise plans to anticipate/mitigate issues; counsel senior leaders on response/public messaging.
Serve as Media Relations lead for USO Crisis Response Teams (as required).
Help manage communications budgets and optimize agency spend.
Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
12+ years progressive communications/media relations experience required.
PR agency and/or pharmaceutical industry experience preferred; sales/marketing experience considered.
Essential: strategic planning, media relations, and issues/crisis management skills.
Demonstrated ability to create strategic direction and drive sustained results.
Ability to work under tight timelines in stressful, limited-planning environments.
Business acumen; ability to coach/influence leaders.
Proven project management and stakeholder influence.
Cross‑functional collaboration in global/regional contexts; occasional political implications.
Strong understanding of integrated media, social, and digital platforms/strategies.
10–20% overnight travel.
Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision coverage; life and disability insurance; 401(k); flexible spending accounts; employee assistance program; tuition reimbursement; voluntary benefits (group legal, critical illness, identity theft protection, pet and auto/home insurance); sick time, flex‑able vacation, and parental leave.

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