Media Relations Specialist

Description

Who We Are:

Veteran Benefits Guide (VBG) was founded by a former United States Marine with the goal of ensuring that Veterans receive accurate disability benefits in a timely manner. Since it was founded, VBG has guided more than 45,000 Veterans through the complicated Veterans Affairs (VA) disability claims process. As a company founded by a Veteran and staffed by many Veterans and families of Veterans, VBG is committed to advocating for policies that protect the rights and interests of former service members.

What We Offer:

We invest in our people, supporting their growth through mentorship and professional development. We strive to offer a work-life balance, creating a culture that is people-focused and fun. Here are some of the benefits you can expect as part of our team:

Work/life balance: We offer a Monday–Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule.

Benefits: Choice of Medical, Vision, and Dental plans with company premium contributions, accrual of 80 hours of PTO & 40 hours of sick time annually, 8 paid holidays plus a floating holiday, 401k with company match after 90 days.

Growth and Development: In-house training and on-the-job development prepare our employees for promotional advancement, leadership opportunities, and lateral transfer skill development.

Summary: We are seeking a dynamic and proactive Media Relations Specialist to lead and manage our company’s public image through strategic engagement with media outlets and the public. The ideal candidate will be responsible for building and maintaining strong relationships with journalists, ensuring consistent and accurate messaging across all media platforms, handling media inquiries, and contributing to the overall strategic communications plan. This role also plays a key part in crisis communications and brand reputation management.

Essential Functions:

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Develop and maintain relationships with media outlets, journalists, and advocates to effectively promote the company’s brand and mission.
• Draft compelling press releases, media statements, talking points, and other communications materials in AP style.
• Coordinate and manage media interviews, press briefings, and public relations events such as press conferences.
• Create and maintain media kits and promotional materials.
• Monitor, track, and analyze media coverage to assess effectiveness and inform future strategy.
• Assist in preparing company spokespeople for media interactions and act as spokesperson when needed.
• Manage crisis communication efforts in coordination with leadership and legal teams.
• Handle incoming media inquiries and provide accurate, timely responses.
• Support social media engagement strategies, including drafting, posting, monitoring, and engaging with media and public audiences on key platforms.
• Conduct interviews and gather testimonials, including contacting clients and stakeholders. 
• Utilize and manage the company’s advocacy platform to support media and public affairs initiatives.
• Contribute to content creation, including video shooting and editing for digital and social media platforms.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align media messaging with broader marketing and communication goals.

Qualifications or Competencies:

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, journalism, or a related field.
• 5+ years of proven experience in media relations, public relations, or communications.
• Strong writing and editing skills, with a command of AP Style.
• Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
• Deep understanding of the media landscape, including emerging platforms and trends.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage crisis communication scenarios.
• Proficient in social media management tools and platforms.
• Experience with video content creation (shooting/editing) is a plus.
• Experience using advocacy platforms is strongly preferred.
• Veteran status or experience working in a military support organization is highly desirable.

Supervisor Responsibilities:

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Position Type:

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Work Environment:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and reach with hands and arms. 

The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. 

Travel:

This position may require occasional travel for media events, press conferences, or legislative hearings.

Other Duties:

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

EEO:

Veteran Benefits Guide (VBG) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), gender (including gender identity and gender expression) genetic characteristic, sexual orientation, registered domestic partner status, age, military or veteran status, hairstyle or hair texture, reproductive health decision making, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.