Writer and Media Relations Manager

***Important note: Please submit copies of your resume, cover letter, and writing samples, as these are essential for evaluating writing skills in this position.***

ABOUT THE POSITION

Samaritans is seeking an empathetic communications professional who is passionate about suicide prevention to serve as the Writer and Media Relations Manager on our marketing and communications team. This position will spread awareness of Samaritans by writing engaging content for Samaritans platforms, managing day-to-day media inquiries, and collaborating with public relations consultants to pitch stories about Samaritans to the media. This person will work closely with Samaritans staff, volunteers, and suicide loss survivors to tell their stories respectfully, showing people that they are not alone in their pain, their grief, or their mental health struggles. This role plays an essential part in increasing visibility for Samaritans throughout Massachusetts and beyond, breaking the stigma associated with mental health issues, and connecting with communities at higher risk for suicide.

This is a full-time, hybrid position of 40 hours per week, working at least two days per week from our office in downtown Boston. Occasional evening and weekend event attendance required.

REPORTS TO

Senior Director of Marketing and Communications

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Writing content for website, print, and digital media in collaboration with staff, volunteers, and partners (70%)

• Write engaging content that is aligned with the Samaritans brand and follows best practices for talking about suicide and mental health. This includes but is not limited to website pages, op-eds, email marketing content, video scripts, speeches, annual reports, and fundraising letters.
• Manage blog calendar in coordination with the Marketing and Communications Manager. Interview people across the Samaritans community, including subject matter experts and suicide loss survivors, to write blog posts and other content that tells their stories in respectful, empathetic ways.
• Collaborate with program teams to draft content for fact sheets, flyers, website pages, and email marketing programs that are segmented for specific audiences.
• Write content for event marketing materials, in collaboration with marketing and events teams, including but not limited to website content, email marketing, press releases, and onsite materials.

Media Relations to drive visibility for Samaritans (20%)

• Coordinate with external public relations consultants to define and implement a PR strategy aligned with the organization's overall communications strategy.
• Respond to day-to-day interview requests from journalists, arranging interviews and drafting talking points as needed.
• Track and report on Samaritans media coverage, identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Collaborate with suicide loss survivors and other members of the Samaritans community who are open to sharing their stories to drive awareness. Provide media training for staff, volunteers, and loss survivors as needed.
• In coordination with Senior Director of Marketing, develop a thorough crisis communications plan.

Communications Project Management (10%)

• Schedule and manage photo shoots with external photographers as needed.
• Coordinate with videographers and video production vendors on special projects as needed.
• Perform other related duties as assigned, within your scope of practice or function area.

REQUIREMENTS

• Passion for the mission of Samaritans and ability to stay current on framing conversations surrounding suicide and mental health
• A commitment to racial equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, with an approach that values the individual and respects differences
• Three to five years of professional writing experience, including interviewing and writing about others' sensitive experiences
• Experience in public relations, including coordinating interviews and pitching and placing stories
• Ability to stay current on statewide and national media coverage related to suicide and mental health. Ability to learn and uphold best practices for talking about suicide in the media in responsible, sensitive ways
• Excellent written and oral communications skills
• Knack for storytelling, evoking shared values, and moving people to action through writing
• Knowledge of best practices for media training
• Experience managing vendor relationships required
• Experience and knowledge of best practices in crisis communications preferred but not required
• Ability to work both collaboratively and independently
• Proven ability to balance multiple projects, adapt quickly to changing priorities, and meet deadlines
• Experience with content management systems (WordPress) and email marketing systems (Pardot) preferred but not required
• Experience with Salesforce preferred but not required
• A self-starter and highly motivated, possessing the ability to be proactive
• Strong relationship skills and attention to detail

SALARY & BENEFITS

Minimum starting annual salary is $70,000 and will be set based on experience and skill set.

• Employer matched 401(k) Plan
• Short and Long-Term Disability coverage as well as Life Insurance
• Health, Dental and Vision insurance
• Healthcare and Childcare FSA, Commuter Benefits and Employee Assistance Program

• Generous Vacation (New hires start with 10 days), Sick (8 days) and Personal Time Off (5 days)

• Paid Family Medical Leave benefits
• Travel Reimbursement
• 14 paid holidays

Samaritans' employees must be vaccinated against COVID-19 or obtain an approved medical or religious exemption. An offer is contingent upon proof that the candidate is fully vaccinated or qualifies for an exemption. All employees are working a hybrid schedule with an average of 2 days per week in the office, after a period of onboarding for new hires.

**Out of state applicants will be required to relocate to Massachusetts within six months of employment and also work the same hybrid schedule as all employees.

ABOUT SAMARITANS

Samaritans, Inc. is a leading suicide prevention organization in Massachusetts. Our mission is to prevent suicide and offer hope and support to those affected. For 50 years, Samaritans volunteers and staff have provided 24/7 support, free of charge, to those who are struggling with thoughts of suicide, worried about a loved one, or in need of a compassionate listener.

Each day, we answer hundreds of calls and texts through our Helpline - part of the 988 National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline - and Hey Sam, a peer-to-peer textline for young people. Our workshops provide the tools anyone might need to help someone in crisis. We offer a safe, anonymous, judgment-free place for anyone to turn, for any reason, including those grieving the loss of a loved one to suicide.

Samaritans is a non-profit organization with no religious affiliation. Our office is in downtown Boston.