Senior Associate, Media Relations (US & Canada)

The Rainforest Alliance is creating a more sustainable world by using social and market forces to protect nature and improve the lives of farmers and forest communities. To achieve our mission, we partner with diverse allies around the world to drive positive change across global supply chains and in many of our most critically important natural landscapes.

Our alliance spans 70 countries and includes farmers and forest communities, companies, governments, civil society, and millions of individuals. Together we work to protect forests  and biodiversity, take action on climate, and promote the rights and improve the livelihoods of rural people.

As an international nonprofit organization with more than 30 years of experience in sustainability transformation, we understand that the social and economic well-being of rural communities is tightly connected to ecosystem health. This knowledge has shaped our rigorous programs to advance sustainable land-use and commodity production.

At the Rainforest Alliance we combat climate change, protect forests and biodiversity, promote human rights, and improve livelihoods. The enormity of the social and environmental challenges we are facing requires working together in a broad alliance. This is why we bring farmers, forest communities, companies, and consumers together to change the way the world produces, sources, and consumes.

Why

To protect nature and improve lives it’s becoming increasingly urgent that we approach the way we use our land and produce food and other products in more sustainable ways. For this to succeed we need to fundamentally change the way that businesses operate and source, and the choices we all make as consumers.

How

Our growing global alliance aims to transform our relationship with our natural resources and each other, to create a better future for people and nature together.

The Rainforest Alliance encourages diversity and inclusion across the global organization. With this commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, ages, disability, and any other protected group.

Position summary: 

The Rainforest Alliance is looking for a resourceful and results-oriented Senior Associate, Media Relations, US & Canada to join the Media Relations team within the Marketing & Communications Department. The Media Relations team focuses on earned media and thought leadership globally and consists of five staff. 

The Senior Associate, Media Relations, US & Canada is responsible for promoting and protecting the Rainforest Alliance's reputation in the media, increasing our visibility, amplifying thought leadership, and strengthening our positioning, through media relations in the US and Canada. Of those markets, the US is considered our highest priority.  

Responsibilities: 

• Develop and execute the media relations strategy for the US and Canada, spearheading media outreach related to Rainforest Alliance news, opinions, and thought leadership; 
• Conceptualize, draft, edit, proof-read, and deliver pitches, media advisories, opinion pieces, briefings, and other assets; 
• Respond to and field media inquiries, including a rapid response function. Handle appropriate follow-up, often on a short deadline, including facilitating interviews with Rainforest Alliance representatives and preparing them for interviews; 
• Monitor mentions in the news; keep relevant staff informed of how the organization is covered in the news; propose reactions/comments; 
• Give input on the global media strategy and plan and support its implementation and execution, in close collaboration with the other Media Relations Associates and the Media Relations Manager; 
• Act as first point of contact for US and Canada-based media outlets; build and maintain relations with key journalists; anticipate and respond to PR opportunities; 
• Position spokespeople at key thought leadership events and preparing them; 
• Support the Corporate Reputation & Issue Management team in managing potential reputational risks if media are involved; 

Qualifications:  

• At least five years' experience in journalism, or public relations and media outreach, either as a journalist or working directly with journalists under tight deadlines 
• Established media network in the US  
• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Journalism, Public Relations, Communications, or related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience) 
• Talented writer with an eye for the heart of a story; flawless copywriting and copyediting skills; proven publication track-record, supported by writing samples 
• Creative and strategic thinker with strong attention to detail 
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, ability to interact with individuals with diverse cultural backgrounds; strong public speaker 
• Strong interest and at least some experience in social and environmental issues and sustainability 
• Self-motivated go-getter, used to taking initiative and energetically pursing media leads 
• Ability to work independently within a global team, with line manager based in Amsterdam 
• Strong organizational skills; proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a time sensitive manner 
• Excellent English written and oral communication skills 
• Experience in non-profits and international environments preferred. 

Job Level: 4

Salary:

Commensurate with experience.

Deadline: March 31, 2023

Notes:

Only candidates authorized to work and located in New York, Vermont or Washington DC will be considered