Public and Media Relations Director

Position Overview

The Public and Media Relations Director is a strategic role responsible for significantly expanding media coverage and public visibility for the San Antonio Food Bank (SAFB). This position serves as the primary driver of media relations, proactive pitching, and retelling associated activities that elevate the SAFB as the trusted authority on hunger, food insecurity and community impact. 

Working closely across the entire organization, this role will identify, secure, and manage local, regional, and national media opportunities that advance SAFB’s mission, awareness, inspire community engagement, and donor support. The ideal candidate is highly responsive, able to navigate a fast-paced environment, media-driven, has strong relationship management skills, and the ability to adapt quickly as opportunities arise. 

Key Responsibilities

Media Relations & Earned Media Strategy

• Serve as SAFB’s primary media relations lead and day-to-day media contact. 
• Proactively pitch story ideas for interviews, coverage and writes op-eds to local, regional, and National media outlets. 
• Build and maintain strong relationships with reporters, producers, editors, and assignment desks across all outlets (TV, radio, print and digital).
• Identify newsworthy angles tied to the SAFB’s work on hunger relief, food insecurity, public policies, disasters, seasonal trends, and community needs. 
• Respond quickly to breaking news, media inquiries, and emerging opportunities. 

Campaign & Event Publicity

• Develop and execute comprehensive media strategies in collaboration with the Marketing & Communications team for SAFB’s Signature Campaigns and Events, including but not limited to:

Harvest of Hope, Turkey Trot, Doing Good on the Green, Hunger Action Month, Food4SA, Holiday Box with Fox, Disaster response, and emergency food distribution efforts, etc. 

• Coordinate media coverage for press releases, media day, donor recognition events, check presentation, and other community activation events. 

Content Development & Messaging

• Create and write press releases, media advisories, and talking points for media intentions. 
• Create opportunity to make fact sheets, talking points for events, and background material as needed.
• Ensure accuracy, consistency, and brand alignment across all media-facing materials.

Digital & Non-Traditional Media Opportunities

• Identify earned media opportunities across all digital platforms, podcasts, livestreams, blog’s, and influencer partnerships.
• Collaborate with Marketing & Communications team to align earned media with brand-owned channels (website, social, email).

Reporting, Data Management, & Planning

• Track, monitor, and analyze media coverage; produce monthly and campaign specific reports. 

• Document media contracts, pitches, and placements in Salesforce. 
• Develop and manage annual media relations calendar aligned with organizational priorities. 
• Use collected data and insights to refine pitching strategies and improve results over time. 

Collaboration & Leadership

• Work cross-functionally with all departments prioritizing the needs of the organization.
• Serve as a trusted advisor on media strategies, brand recognition, and brand management. 
• Create strong cross-departmental lines of communication, especially in time-sensitive media needs (which may occur outside of traditional work hours). 
• Create and provide support during disaster relief work or create crisis communication plans.
• Provide media training for leadership team, key spokespeople, and organizational leads.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, journalism, communications, or related field.
• 5-7 years of demonstrated experience in media relations, public relations, or journalism.
• Proven success securing earned media placements.
• Strong writing skills and the ability to transform complex issues into completing media stories.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating across different teams.
• Strong knowledge of current events and strong news judgement. 
• Ability to work a flexible schedule with little to no notice including, early mornings, evenings, and weekends as needed.
• Possess valid driver’s license, current vehicle insurance, and reliable transportation.

Preferred

• Bilingual in English and Spanish.
• Experience working in a non-profit, mission-driven, or community-based organization.
• Established relationships with media outlets.
• Familiarity with social media and non-traditional media for added earned media opportunities.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• San Antonian who is media and relationship driven – someone who enjoys pitching stories, following the news cycle, and cultivating media relationships.
• Proactive, not reactive – ability to identify opportunities before being asked.
• Comfortable with fast turnarounds and tight deadlines.
• Mission-aligned with the ability to mold and push hunger related new stories.
• Confident in working with all levels of media organizations, from executives to reporters.
• Strategic and data driven with willingness to exceed goals.
• Calm under pressure and able to manage sensitive or high-profile situations. 

Physical Demands

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is constantly required to sit, talk, hear, keyboard, and utilize fine manipulation and near visual acuity. The employee is occasionally required to walk, utilize gross manipulation, push, pull, reach, and stoop. The employee must occasionally lift, and/or move up to 25 pounds. 

Work Environment 

This job is performed in an indoor environment and occasionally may require attendance at outdoor events. You may be required to drive to different locations with varying conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

The working hours may also vary outside of normal 8am-5pm Monday through Friday. Must  maintain flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and respond quickly to time-sensitive media needs.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and levels of work to be performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties.