Job Description

The Henry Ford is a nonprofit organization, an internationally recognized cultural destination, and a one-of-a-kind workplace. Our team is inspired daily by one another as well as the authentic stories of innovation that we share across our four venues. We want you to be part of this legacy and take it forward.

The Senior Manager of Media Relations works as a senior member of the Media Relations and Studio Productions team responsible for achieving local, regional and national publicity for The Henry Ford. The Senior Manager's main objective is to assist the Director in creating the overall media relations strategy for the team and developing and executing the overall PR plan for the institution. This position must maintain relationships with key journalists and align all communication efforts with overall goals of The Henry Ford's Strategic Plan.

The Senior Manager will create favorable media coverage for the destination, its attractions (Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Greenfield Village, The Ford Rouge Factory Tour, the Giant Screen Experience, and the Benson Ford Research Center), its programming, expertise and overall experiences. The purpose of this position's efforts is to increase attendance and revenue, national, regional and local positioning and awareness.

The person in this position must be a strong communicator, an excellent writer, can multi-task, show initiative, and have a sense of leadership with an authoritative viewpoint from a PR perspective. This person must have a deep understanding of the current media landscape and leverage both digital and traditional media channels. This candidate must be creative with “out of the box” ideas and execution, must know how to creatively problem-solve and must collaborate with the institution's staff and volunteers.

In addition, this position develops and implements a clear and consistent internal communication strategy that keeps employees informed, engaged, and aligned with institutional goals. This person, as part of the team, will collaborate with executive and senior to craft messages, memos, newsletters, and other material that communicate key updates.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Develops and executes overall team strategy including an annual PR plan for the destination. This could include but is not limited to pitching stories on various events and developing “out-of-the-box” publicity angles to attract media coverage that eventually supports the attractions, collections, exhibits and programming at The Henry Ford. Works with both traditional and social media members and outlets.
• Develops, maintains and records relationships with key media contacts and in all major local, regional and national markets.
• Creates attention-getting press-releases that support the destination's mission, vision, brand and strategic goals. Must develop media "hook" of interest as a central theme to all releases.
• Coordinates on-site media interviews/opportunities on a regular basis. Secures the appropriate THF spokesperson and fully prepares that spokesperson for the media opportunity.
• Works closely with special partnerships both internally and externally in executing PR strategies that support targeted national and regional marketing initiatives – sponsorship, DMCVB, Pure Michigan, and other partners as needed.
• Remains aware of breaking news and appropriate feature stories to capitalize on and/or include museum-related issues or programs.
• Cultivates relationships with media members on a regular basis.
• Acts as a team player and provides expertise within the Media and Film Relations unit and also serves as PR representative on internal teams as appropriate.

Your Qualifications:

• BA in journalism, public relations, or related field
• 5 or more years of media experience.

Special Skills:

• Strong writing and communication skills
• Deep knowledge of media relations and social media
• Exercise good judgment and be flexible in scheduling. Weekend and holiday work often required.
• Concrete local, regional and national media contacts in print, radio and TV.

Please note that this job description is subject to modifications at any time to meet the evolving requirements of our institution.

Respect, inclusion, and opportunity for people of all backgrounds will attract the best ideas to THF and help us shape a more vibrant future. By honoring and celebrating people's diversity, THF can bring new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work and community. Achieving diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility is a continuous process, which, we believe, will contribute to a sustainable and inclusive world. Therefore, we strongly encourage applications from individuals who identify with or belong to marginalized communities.

It is the policy of The Henry Ford to prohibit discrimination in any employment, donor or volunteering opportunity including but not limited to based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, genetic information, pregnancy, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, physical/mental disability or any other such characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. This Policy applies to all of our employees, donors and volunteers to ensure that they are treated without discrimination.

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