Media Relations Manager

About the Foundation

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), located in Princeton, N.J., is a leading national philanthropy dedicated to taking bold leaps to transform health in our lifetime. To get there, we must work to dismantle structural racism and other barriers to health. Since 1972, we have focused on developing and promoting innovations in health and healthcare to improve the lives of millions. Through funding, convening, advocacy, and evidence-building, we work side-by-side with communities, practitioners, and institutions to achieve health equity faster and pave the way, together, to a future where health is no longer a privilege, but a right.  

We take seriously our responsibilities, and we pledge to work in ways that reflect our Guiding Principles. These are rooted in equity and influence everything we do at RWJF. Equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI), and collaboration enable our staff’s wide range of experiences, passions, and perspectives to strengthen our ability to address our nation’s most pressing health issues and support a culture of belonging. Part of this work includes actively shaping an inclusive organization where all staff members thrive as we build and use our capabilities, voice, and power to advance health equity. RWJF offers a collaborative, collegial, and creative work environment. With a career at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, you will make a difference.  

About this Opportunity

Reporting to the director, Media Relations, the Media Relations manager is responsible for developing and managing key aspects of the media relations effort, which focuses on elevating research, data, and thought leadership of the Foundation to health and mainstream media outlets nationwide. Working closely with staff across the Foundation, the Media Relations manager will oversee daily earned media activities and contribute to the team’s strategic planning to ensure a consistent flow of earned media placement in support of the Foundation’s mission, Theory of Change, and health equity vision.

As with staff at all levels of RWJF, the Media Relations manager is expected to demonstrate a passionate commitment to equity and the Foundation’s mission and Guiding Principles.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Manage the daily activities of the Media Relations team, including supervising the Media Relations associate, coordinating media efforts with other Foundation channels, and working with Communications colleagues to ensure Foundation products (reports, data, opinions) are appropriately promoted and distributed. (25%)
• Conduct proactive and reactive media relations and ensure those efforts are aligned with the Foundation’s teams, themes, and strategic priorities, as well as aligned with the wider efforts of the Communications department. (25%)
• Build on an existing understanding of public health, public health media, and mainstream media to serve and grow our network of partners, media grantees, and health reporters who rely upon the Foundation for bipartisan, equity-focused health information. (10%)
• Conduct qualitative and quantitative research that builds on and informs current media relations efforts including seeking new media, analyzing and measuring the efforts of the team and external firms to provide tactical and strategic guidance to improve the Foundation’s reach, particularly into priority audiences. (10%)
• Serve as a thought partner with staff and leadership across the Foundation to identify newsworthy efforts to amplify, as well as identify and prepare for areas of potential risk for the Foundation. (10%)
• Work closely with the Media Relations team, providing guidance, mentoring, and supervision on
• strategy, audience selection, support to leadership, management of media partners, and background research. (10%)
• In conjunction with the Communications leadership team, be responsible for building and maintaining relationships across the Foundation including colleagues in Executive Communications, Research-Evaluation-Learning, Program, Grants Management, and IT to drive awareness, support, engagement, and adoption of media strategies. (10%)

Minimum Requirements

• Commitment to racial and health equity and the Foundation’s vision, values, and Guiding Principles.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive communications experience with priority given to candidates with a media relations/public relations background and demonstrated success in earned media placement.
• Experience providing strategic direction on media outreach, digital content, audience engagement, and collaboration across communications channels.
• Demonstrated judgment in understanding the value and risk associated with media outreach, especially since 2020.
• Preferred experience in public health and a demonstrated ability to independently read, review, and understand peer-reviewed science and interpret for a lay audience.
• Prior experience with media relations analytics and database tools preferred.
• Enthusiasm for the media landscape is required and interest in social media is a bonus.
• Demonstrated ability to write and edit content for the web.
• Excellent communications skills; proven written and oral presentation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; collegial, energetic; able to develop productive relationships with colleagues. Ability to work in a highly collaborative environment.
• Ability to multitask, to work on tight deadlines, and to adapt to frequently changing priorities.
• Strong organizational skills with an attention to detail. Experience handling multiple priorities
• effectively.
• People management skills, including experience in employee development, performance
• management, supervising, mentoring, and team-building; able to coalesce a team around a strategic vision and bring a sense of humor and fun to the workplace.
• Ability to manage, mentor, and guide staff to develop strengths of individual team members and to build an effective, values-based team.
• Strong problem-solving skills. Identify and resolve problems in a timely manner, and gather and
• analyze information skillfully. Develop alternative solutions and work well in group problem-solving situations. Able to demonstrate innovative and analytical approaches to resolutions.
• Dedicated team player with a can-do mindset who considers others’ opinions; understands impact on other groups; and adapts to change effectively.
• If selected for an interview, work samples and prior media placements will be requested.
• Education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate field including but not limited to English, communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or digital media.
• Candidates whose experience exceeds the minimum requirements will be given particular consideration for a higher placement within the salary range:
  
  • More than five (5) years of progressive experience in communications with a background in media relations/public relations and demonstrated success in earned media placement.
  • More than seven (7) years of progressive experience in communications with a background in media relations/public relations and demonstrated success in earned media placement.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

The Media Relations manager will perform job duties in a typical business office environment. Specific physical abilities required by this job include operating basic office equipment. The incumbent will be required to attend meetings, both in person and off-site via phone or videoconference. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. RWJF is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Position's Assigned Office Location

This position is assigned to our Princeton, N.J. office.

Hybrid: Flexible Purpose (HFP) Explained

As of January 1, 2023, the Foundation has implemented a model we call Hybrid: Flexible Purpose (HFP). RWJF’s new operating model is the infrastructure (e.g., policies, practices, protocols, procedures, systems) that forms the basis for how the day-to-day operations are managed, culture is built and nurtured, and mission is delivered. This model is designed to meet the needs of the organization while giving employees as much flexibility as possible. On-site participation is determined by job responsibilities, organizational and team-level requirements, and mandatory gatherings throughout the year. While there are no fixed days per week, all employees are expected to plan their time on-site and cover commuting expenses as needed to meet those expectations. Click here to learn more about our operating model and in-office requirements.

Salary

The non-negotiable starting salary for this position is $111,500. Candidates whose directly related experience exceeds the minimum requirements outlined above may be offered a salary up to $122,650, depending on the depth and relevance of that experience. All salary offers are non-negotiable.

Benefits

RWJF offers comprehensive health and retirement benefits to employees, generous paid time off, and more. Why work at RWJF? Learn more about the benefits of working at RWJF.

Transition Stipend

A transition stipend is provided to all new hires to aid in costs related to transitioning to a new job. 

How to Apply

• Applicants should submit a resume and required letter of interest by the stated deadline.
• Internal RWJF applicants should submit a resume and letter of interest through the Internal Jobs Hub app in Workday.

Application Deadline

Tuesday, February 17, 2026, by 10 a.m. ET.