Media & Public Relations Manager

Career Stage: Manager

Travel: 10%

Organizational Summary

Upstream USA is a fast-growing, national nonprofit working to expand opportunity by reducing unplanned pregnancy across the U.S. We envision a future where patient-centered contraceptive care is an integral part of primary care in all settings, for all people. In this future, patients are screened for their contraceptive needs; are offered patient-centered contraceptive counseling, free from bias and coercion, provided by knowledgeable providers and support staff following evidence-based guidelines; and can receive any contraceptive method of their choosing, during the same visit if they want, without logistical barriers.

Upstream promotes health equity by partnering with health centers to provide training and technical assistance to increase access to contraception, and address disparities and biases in contraceptive care. Surveys of patients getting care at Upstream-trained health centers consistently show that patients feel listened to, heard, and are able to access the contraceptive method of their choice. Our work empowers patients to decide if and when they want to become pregnant, a critical step towards improving maternal health, as well as positive outcomes for parents, children, and their families.

Upstream is growing rapidly and is well positioned for national scale and impact. After launching our program in Delaware in 2014, we have since partnered with health centers in Washington state, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Texas, Mississippi and Missouri. Before the end of 2023, Upstream will have partnered with health centers that serve over one million women of reproductive age annually across these states and more. Our work has been independently evaluated and has led to significant changes, including a 25% reduction in births from unplanned pregnancies in Delaware in just three years.

Upstream is funded primarily through philanthropic individuals and foundations, and does not accept funding from pharmaceutical companies. Upstream’s budget has grown from $1.7 million just four years ago to approximately $40 million in 2022. Upstream’s work has also garnered attention from many leading publications including The New York Times, Washington Post, The Atlantic, CNN, Vox, Forbes, and Marie Claire.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director of Communications, our Media & Public Relations Manager will play an important role in advancing Upstream’s strategic goals by identifying and pursuing media public relations activities that elevate the organization’s national profile and brand, protect the organization’s reputation, and strategically position the organization as a thought leader in the larger healthcare space. The Manager will also pursue opportunities within local media markets to advance the narrative that contraceptive care is basic, primary care. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic media plans to promote Upstream’s role as a trusted partner to healthcare organizations, including FQHCs, larger healthcare systems, local health systems and networks and family planning clinics. . 
• Identify journalists, editors, producers and media outlets that can help tell Upstream’s stories.
• Create innovative and engaging public relations and media campaigns in partnership with internal teams and external agency partners.
• Develop localized press strategies and relationships in partnership with the Director of Communications. 
• Create and edit compelling, data-driven pitches and press engagement materials (press releases, advisories, talking points, letters- to-the-editor, op-eds, fact sheets, and briefings). 
• Spearhead interview prep, in partnership with external agencies, for organizational spokespeople, conducting research and curating relevant information from other departments.
• In collaboration with the Director of Communications, spearhead a media training. 
• Support the development and launch of a formal messaging program; ensure organizational materials consistently articulate the organization’s mission and messages. 
• Serve as a superuser for Meltwater: track and analyze coverage of issues important to the organization; conduct reporter research, build press lists; determine and report on press metrics. 
• Maintain good relationships with media houses and freelance journalists.
• Proactively identify speaking engagements and award nominations as opportunities to elevate the profile of Upstream and its work; draft nominations. 
• Develop and execute plans for organizational events with external audiences. 

Required Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Ability:

• BA/BS in journalism, communications, or similar field with 7+ years of experience in these fields
• Superior writing and editing skills, including demonstrated ability to understand and communicate about complex, technical, or sensitive topics in a clear, concise and engaging manner.
• Strong pitching skills; approaches each media opportunity with a strategic mindset. 
• Proven knowledge of media trends, and possesses a strong understanding of how to generate favorable traction in the media.
• Crisis communications experience a plus. 
• Proficient in the Google suite of products; Meltwater experience a plus.
• Able to attend work related in-person meetings and functions as needed (Upstream employees are required to be fully vaccinated to attend in-person work-related activities.  Reasonable Accommodations will be made for individuals with a sincerely held religious belief or disability who are not vaccinated)
• In our hybrid work environments, there is a basic expectation that our Upstreamers will ensure that their work from home setups will have reliable access to phone and Internet to ensure connectivity to their teams.
• At Upstream we gather for moments that matter for training, teaming and connection. Our teams come together for occasional in person meetings and organizational retreats. As part of our hybrid work practices, this travel expectation will be applicable for all Upstreamers, even those based remotely.

Attributes

• Demonstrated interest in reproductive health and strong alignment with Upstream’s mission, values and Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) goals.
• Extremely organized and pays keen attention to details. 
• Deadline oriented and adept at developing and using work plans. 
• Confident and proactive self-starter with ability to take initiative and work well independently
• Highly collaborative with excellent interpersonal skills; Builds and maintains positive, productive relationships with colleagues and team members throughout the organization and across the country
• Finds excitement in working for a rapidly growing organization and can adjust/pivot quickly. 
• Exercises discretion and sound judgment
• Employs a creative and strategic approach to problem-solving
• Sense of humor

Travel Requirements

This role will require up to 10% of business travel. All Upstreamers can expect a minimum of 8 days of business travel per year to attend two annual organizational retreats and two annual team/department meetings.

Upstream USA offers a comprehensive benefit package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long and short term disability, 401K with a match, generous vacation, personal, sick and holiday time off, parental leave, professional development and a fitness and cell phone allowance for all full time employees and part time employees who work a minimum of 24 hours per week.

Hiring Range

The hiring range for this role is $89,420 to $126,486. Final offers for this position will be based upon several factors including the scope of the role, market compensation analysis, position requirements, candidate’s experience level and capabilities, specific candidate geographic location, internal pay equity considerations and will be made within the parameters of Upstream USA's compensation framework and philosophy.

Hiring Process

Candidates who advance in our preliminary review process will have an opportunity to discuss the position, their employment background and lived experience with a member of our talent acquisition team by telephone. Those who advance to subsequent steps in our interview process may participate in up to three rounds of meetings by Zoom or in person and in a thought exercise/case study assignment. Each round could consist of multiple meetings with various Upstreamers.

Upstream Careers

At Upstream, we embrace diversity. We nurture it and we thrive on it because it benefits our organization, our partners, and our community. Our goal is to attract, develop and retain exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding and enables each of us to realize our potential.  Upstream is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know. Learn more  about working at Upstream, our values, and our commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Upstream USA participates in E-Verify.

Upstream Headquarters:

2 Oliver Street, Suite 402, Boston, MA 02109

www.upstream.org

No phone calls please.

Be advised that we do not ever conduct hiring interviews via text or email. Please protect yourself by learning more about our hiring practices and common red flags to look out for.