[Hiring] Media Relations Associate @GiveDirectly

Role Description

How this role supports our overall strategy:

• The #1 obstacle to GiveDirectly increasing our impact is that donors still don’t know about or buy-in to direct cash transfers.
• This role is fundamental to solving that problem, by growing awareness of cash as an effective aid intervention and generating interest from catalytic donors.
• This year, we’re focused on ensuring direct cash and GiveDirectly are gaining fast, targeted visibility and understanding among high-value audiences.
• Two of our main tools for doing this are earned media coverage and collaborations with influencers, surrogates, and thought leaders.

What this role will do:

• Responsible for pitching GiveDirectly programs and research to key media and thought leaders.
• Report directly to the Senior Manager of Media and Strategic Communications.
• Pitch traditional media and support GiveDirectly’s surrogate strategy.
• Cultivate relationships with public intellectuals, newsletter writers, podcasters, and other content creators.
• Span lead generation research, writing pitches, prepping spokespeople, and tracking progress over time.
• Help build the infrastructure that makes the team smarter and faster.
• Maintain and improve internal systems and be the in-team expert on AI-powered tools and automation.

Qualifications

• 2-4 years of experience in communications, media, content marketing, journalism, market research, or related fields.
• Compelling experience at desk research — able to make sense of opportunities and leads within an opaque industry.
• Strong familiarity with traditional and non-traditional media and content creators in the United States.
• Experience with AI tools for research, writing, and workflow automation.
• Exceptional project management skills, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple workflows simultaneously.
• Excellent verbal and written skills, with a focus on concise and intentional communication.
• Ability to “think” like a journalist — telling a compelling story and communicating why it matters without setting off their PR alarm.
• Comfort with systems and tools — Airtable and other CRMs — and a disposition toward building better workflows, not just following existing ones.
• Alignment with GiveDirectly Values and active demonstration of core competencies: emotional intelligence, problem solving, project management, follow-through, and fostering inclusivity.

Requirements

• High accountability to outcomes (quantitative and qualitative) while balancing attention to detail with short timelines.
• Deliver high-quality communications products to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Hold a high bar for what’s interesting to journalists and public audiences.
• Stay on top of emerging media trends and AI capabilities.

Benefits

• A supportive team that works hard and cares hard.
• A robust health benefits plan (exact details will vary by country).
• Flexible paid time off that staff is encouraged to take.
• Allowances for desk set-up and learning and development.