Media Relations Specialist

Position Summary

The Media Relations Specialist reports to the Director, Media Relations and works across the greater Media Relations (MR) and Communications team to execute media and communications strategies in the clean energy sector. The Specialist will support the strategic and substantive work of the MR leads and help enhance coordination between the larger communications department and other ACP departments such as Policy, Advocacy and Membership. This will include helping our team to evolve our story and the development of strategies and tactics we use to tell it.  

This individual will collaborate with key renewable energy industry stakeholders and actively contribute to national, state, and local narratives highlighting the clean power industry and the U.S. electricity markets. The industry is a fast-paced, emerging market and ACP’s Communications team reflects that and manages priorities accordingly. The Specialist will need to have excellent written and verbal communication skills, the ability to juggle simultaneous projects, and thrive in a collaborative, high performing environment with a desire to learn.   

Essential Functions/Major Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Other duties may be assigned to meet business needs. 

• Work closely with Media Relations Team to develop talking points, press materials, social media content, and other communications materials. 

• Coordinate closely with subject matter experts across Policy and Advocacy to translate content into compelling public messages. 

• Coordinate between Media Relations Team and broader Communications Department to help ensure efforts and strategies are cross-pollinated.  

• Monitor and keep track of press inbox which includes receiving and responding to, vetting, and tracking media incoming requests to help coordinate with Media Relations Team on responses. 

• Support the MR team members with pitching story ideas/content for reporters and staffing media interviews and press briefings.  

• Build and manage press lists of reporters, bloggers, non-traditional media, and other media who cover energy industries, Washington, D.C. and state capital politics, and the ability to reach them via various distribution methods using online systems (For ex: Cision, PR Newswire, and X).  

• Help organize press events, conference calls, and other engagements. 

• Draft talking points, including prep memos, in advance of media interviews.  

• Support media training for staff on an as-needed basis for key association spokespeople. 

• Identify, track, and report metrics that convey the effectiveness of media operations. 

• Manage media monitoring and review daily news clips, including identifying corrections that need to be made. 

• Support content development for the website, blog, and other resources as needed. 

• Join the rest of the department’s staff in carrying out administrative duties, such as: board reports; vendor and consultant supervision; timely invoice and expense reporting; and maintaining master calendars and checklists of standard operating procedures. 

Education, Experience, Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism or related field required. 

• 2-4 years of relevant experience in roles responsible for public relations, social media, and corporate communications. Previous experience specifically in journalism, political campaigns, government, or public affairs is strongly desired. 

• Existing specialized energy-related communications, policy, media relations, and relationships with national and state energy, environment, or business reporters a plus but not required. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office. Proficiency with content management systems (CMS), WordPress and InDesign are preferred. Desire/willingness to learn new technologies. 

• Track record of accepting and applying feedback, collaborating across diverse teams, and taking on new challenges with enthusiasm. 

• Effective organizational skills, ability to handle multiple projects under tight deadlines, and aptitude for prioritizing tasks effectively. 

• ACP is a fast-paced environment. A passion for renewable energy and the tenacity for quality, time-sensitive work is a plus. 

Job Conditions

We are a fast-paced, high-energy organization with a very ambitious agenda and a staff that is highly motivated. This position may experience high-level work demands and independent decision-making under tight timelines. Occasional travel outside of the Washington, DC area for meetings or events may be required. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. ACP will not sponsor applicants for work visas. 

We reasonably believe that the base salary range for this position is $70,000- 85,000. At ACP, a wide range of factors are considered when making compensation decisions including and not limited to skill set, experience, training, education, knowledge, and other business and organizational needs. ACP offers 401k, PTO and sick leave, commuter benefits, wellness reimbursement, and professional development/tuition reimbursements for eligible employees.