Media Relations Specialist III (ALD)

Salary Range : $88,854.00 (Min.) - $115,509.00 (Mid.) - $142,166.00 (Max.)Established in 1997, L.A. Care Health Plan is an independent public agency created by the state of California to provide health coverage to low-income Los Angeles County residents. We are the nation's largest publicly operated health plan. Serving more than 2 million members, we make sure our members get the right care at the right place at the right time.Mission : L.A. Care's mission is to provide access to quality health care for Los Angeles County's vulnerable and low-income communities and residents and to support the safety net required to achieve that purpose.Job SummaryThe Media Relations Specialist III is responsible for strategizing, leading, developing, and implementing a broad range of public relations activities in support of the organization's mission, vision, values, and priorities. The Specialist manages the work of the contracted Public Relations agency and leads the account representative on the projects / programs / initiatives for which L.A. Care is seeking attention. The Specialist also manages communication between the organization and media outlets to elevate the organization's corporate profile and enhance its public perception, serves as the main point of contact for the media, and ensures media relations initiatives are consistent with strategic organization objectives.The Specialist collaborates with the social media team, providing content, such as media placements, press releases, news items, and provides input on social media campaigns. The Specialist develops and disseminates messaging and executes media campaigns that position L.A. Care as an innovative healthcare leader in Los Angeles, California, and the national healthcare arena and manages multiple writing assignments and deliverables. The Media Specialist III acts as a Subject Matter Expert (SME), serves as a resource and mentor for other staff.DutiesEstablish and cultivate relationships with media, including reporters, editors, podcasters, and bloggers, in order to successfully increase the positive profile of L.A. Care.Respond to media inquiries by vetting the request and sourcing the appropriate subject matter expert for comment; coordinate and schedule the interviews.Proactively pitch media on positive stories about L.A. Care and its programs / projects / initiatives and product lines.Proactively seek out story ideas across multiple departments within L.A. Care.Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including plan partners and Community Resource Center staff to identify potential stories to pitch.Hold a minimum of weekly meetings with the contracted Public Relations agency.Maintain and update internal media lists and manage contracts with the Public Relations agency and other media vendors.Develop and edit materials to facilitate communications with various external audiences. Responsible for calendar management to ensure materials are completed in time to meet media sensitive timelines. These materials include, but are not limited to, press releases, media statements, key messaging, and talking points for initiatives / projects / events.Write executive bylined articles, op-eds, blogs, etc.Develop holding statements and talking points in crisis management

Director on issues management, as needed. Represent Director or L.A. Care in meetings or on coalitions related to external communications matters, as needed.Use phone or other available equipment to shoot . Care-hosted events and ensure the clips and relevant information are provided to news outlets, which were unable to attend the event.Ensure all broadcast clips are ordered from the clipping services to share with all appropriate stakeholders.Purchase, gather, and upload all news placements (broadcast, print, online) to the website newsroom.Produce questions for interviews conducted by internal video production team, and conduct interviews, if needed.Duties ContinuedCoordinate and execute media events, and manage media at all L.A. Care events. Media events will be produced seamlessly and will garner positive attendance and coverage.Communicate with top leaders at the health plan in order to coordinate media opportunities. Provide leaders with key talking points, if needed, to ensure a successful interview.Provide media training and public speaking preparation for Chief Executive Officer (CEO) , other members of the leadership team, and other staff, when appropriate. Media trainings provided for Leadership Group and Management Team; expanded speaking engagement opportunities for both.Apply subject expertise in evaluating business operations and processes. Identify areas where technical solutions would improve business performance. Consult across business operations, providing mentorship, and contributing specialized knowledge. Ensure that the facts and details are correct so that the project's / program's deliverable meet the needs of the department, organization and legislation's policies, standards, and best practices. Provide training, recommends process improvements, and mentors junior level staff, department interns, etc. as needed.Mentor other members of the Communications Department on media and public relations issues / protocols.Perform other duties as assigned.Education RequiredBachelor's Degree in Communications or JournalismIn lieu of degree, equivalent education and / or experience may be considered.Education PreferredMaster's Degree in Communications or JournalismExperienceRequired : At least 5 years of relevant and increasing responsibility, experience on the list of stated knowledge and skills.Preferred : Experience within a healthcare organization, nonprofit, or public agency. An understanding of Medi-Cal, Medicare, and related public health programs, and the diverse community L.A. Care serves is a plus.SkillsRequired : Existing relationships with regional, community, ethnic, and health industry journalists.Superior writing, editing, and interpersonal skills.Superior research and information gathering skills.Ability to quickly and concisely draft a wide range of high-quality

to manage public relations vendors.Ability to interview internal and external subjects, including C-level executives.Deep understanding of current events, with an ability to determine whether they are relevant to L.A. CareDemonstrated ability to handle multiple projects at once and on deadline.Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint).Persuasion Skills : Persuade media to do positive stories about L.A. Care and to thwart negative stories, Persuade media to consider L.A. Care executives as thought leaders and expert sources on healthcare-related topics.Deep understanding of current social media trends and opportunities.Preferred : Bilingual in one of L.A. Care Health Plan's threshold languages is highly desirable - English, Spanish, Chinese, Armenian, Arabic, Farsi, Khmer, Korean, Russian, Tagalog, Vietnamese.Licenses / Certifications RequiredLicenses / Certifications PreferredRequired TrainingPhysical RequirementsLightAdditional InformationFinancial Impact : Salary and benefits; expenses (research materials, collateral materials that may be outsourced, media list and distribution vendors)Salary Range Disclaimer : The expected pay range is based on many factors such as geography, experience, education, and the market. The range is subject to change.This position is a limited duration position. The term of this position is a minimum one year and maximum of two years from the start date unless terminated earlier by either party. Limited duration positions are full-time positions and are eligible to receive full benefits.L.A. Care offers a wide range of benefits including Paid Time Off (PTO) Tuition Reimbursement Retirement Plans Medical, Dental and Vision Wellness Program Volunteer Time Off (VTO)