Media Relations Manager, Life.Church

Life.Church wants to make a lasting difference in your life, in our community, and in the world. Our mission is to lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ. That's how we’re able to make a difference, and it's the driving force behind everything we do.   The Life.Church Media Relations Manager is primarily responsible for sharing the stories of what God is doing through Life.Church, including proactive and reactive media relations. This role will strengthen existing efforts under the leadership of the Sr. Director of Public Relations, identify new opportunities for media coverage, craft thoughtful messaging, and improve our ability to tell stories across the organization.   The Public Relations Team is part of the Life.Church Communications Group, which consists of four teams—including Social Media, Communication, and Marketing—who collectively develop strategies for how our ministry meets people where they are and empowers them to become fully devoted followers of Christ. The Communications Group introduces people to Life.Church, connects them to our mission, and helps them take the next steps in their journey toward Christ.   This role operationally supports the team's direction, initiatives, and ministry efforts to achieve outcomes that further Life.Church’s mission and reach people for Christ. Who You Are • Your super power is your ability to find the news hook in any situation. • You’re often told that you have a way with words and make people feel comfortable and cared for, even when communicating firm expectations. • Energized by challenges, fast-paced environments, and a high level of accountability. • Known for staying level-headed and responding with grace and patience when things get difficult. • Comfortable thinking on your feet when sensitive or unexpected situations arise, and confident in helping shape the right response. • A team player who’s ready to roll up your sleeves and work alongside a team that’s hardwired to work hard. • Looking to dedicate your life to something that makes an eternal difference. What You'll Do Drive the Strategic Direction of National Press Efforts • Contribute strategy ideas for various Life.Church press initiatives. • Counsel and resource staff for speaking engagements, research projects, or other community-related requests. • Craft thoughtful, consistent messaging on sensitive topics across audiences and channels. • Regularly evaluate projects and identify ways to improve future efforts. Lead Press Strategies for Proactive and Reactive Opportunities • Draft and distribute press materials that appeal to journalists and align with Life.Church voice. • Coordinate press logistics across teams to keep PR campaigns running smoothly. • Manage and respond strategically to incoming media requests or external inquiries. • Stay informed of local, national, and trade news trends to identify pitch angles and get ahead of any potential reactive efforts. • Build and maintain rapport with journalists. Maintain Tools and Resources that Support Media Relations • Build and maintain research-based media lists. • Champion storytelling across the organization to help inspire people to take the next step in their faith journey. • Identify newsworthy stories across teams and ministries. • Curate a collection of visual assets for press use. • Regularly monitor media coverage, responding accordingly. • Develop and update biographies, fact sheets, and other historical Life.Church documents for external use. Skills Needed to Succeed • Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills to foster relationships and partnerships. • Effective at multitasking and time management to meet strict deadlines while remaining flexible and open to change. • Strong writing, editing, and proofing skills. • Strong leadership skills and experience in coaching and developing others. • Ability to self-motivate, make independent decisions, and problem-solve. • Ability to manage conflict and differing opinions while maintaining composure. • High School Diploma or GED. • Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations, Strategic Communication, or a related field required. • 5+ years of related work experience preferred. • Demonstrated track record of effective media relations strategies. Benefits We Offer Paid parental leave, including maternity, paternity, and adoption leave. Generous employer-paid leave for the use of vacation, sick time, and other qualifying reasons.  Innovative and comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance that provides team members with useful resources and savings to navigate their holistic health.  Life insurance policy provided for all staff members at 2x annual salary at no cost. Additional life insurance coverage is available to purchase.  Short-Term and Long-Term disability is covered at 100% for full-time qualified staff members. Comprehensive wellness and mental health benefits allow staff to proactively invest in their physical and emotional health. Generous 401(k) retirement plan allowing a team member to have up to 12.5% (including employee contribution, employer match, and employer discretionary contribution) contributed into their account in their first year. It doesn’t stop there—the more years on staff, the greater the investment!  $160 annually in development dollars for team members to invest in their professional growth.  Casual dress and work environment. And much more!   Our Beliefs, Culture, and Commitment to Diversity At Life.Church, every staff member, and intern is a minister and is expected to engage in the church's ministry fully. We consider ministry readiness and an individual’s capacity to represent Life.Church’s beliefs as a minister during the selection process for all staff and intern positions. An essential function within every position held by a staff member or intern at Life.Church is to uphold and represent the beliefs of Life.Church. Learn more about what we believe at Life.Church.    While we unite around our mission, we know unity doesn’t mean uniformity. Our calling is too great, and our mission is too important not to be intentional about strengthening our team through diversity. We know that diverse perspectives in race, ethnicity, background, age, and gender are essential to reaching the world for Christ. To learn more about how we strengthen our team through diversity, visit our careers page.    All data collected in our application process, from resume collection to application questions, is used for recruitment purposes only.