Mellon Foundation (“Foundation”) believes that the arts and humanities are where we express our complex humanity, and we believe that everyone deserves the beauty, transcendence, and freedom to be found there. Through our grants, we seek to build just communities enriched by meaning and empowered by critical thinking, where ideas and imagination can thrive. The Foundation makes grants in four core program areas - Higher Learning, Arts and Culture, Public Knowledge, and Humanities in Place - and through its signature Presidential Initiatives. The Foundation seeks a Media Relations Intern for our Communications team.
Summary:
This position, reporting to the Media Relations Associate with oversight from the Director of Media & Public Relations, will support a wide range of media relations efforts within the Foundation’s New York-based Communications department. Responsibilities include administrative and organizational duties, research support, media monitoring, drafting materials, and outreach.
The internship is designed to follow a hybrid work format, and the number of expected hours will depend on the intern’s schedule and availability, ranging between 15 and 37.5 hours per week. This is a 10-month position with a start date in late July 2024.
Position Description:
Responsibilities may include, but will not be limited to the following:
- Support media and public relations efforts through a variety of projects, both internal and external facing.
- Provide support in developing press materials, including press releases, media alerts, pitches, bios, media and speaking engagement briefing documents, recap reports and media analysis/reporting.
- Assist with prep documents, including talking points and messaging to prepare Mellon spokespeople for external speaking engagements and interviews.
- Conduct preliminary review of grantee press materials based on Mellon’s established brand guidelines.
- Review and respond to inbound telephone calls and e-mail correspondence in a timely and appropriate manner.
- Track media coverage, reporters, industry news and peer organization activities.
- Maintain up-to-date media contact lists and editorial calendars.
- Contribute to PR planning and strategy ideation.
- Help maintain an organized system of tracking, monitoring, and prioritizing tasks using the Foundation’s primary project management tools: Monday.com and Box.com.
- Handle confidential and non-routine information with sensitivity.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Required Skills and Experience:
- Strong interest in learning about communications and media relations in a nonprofit setting; demonstrated interest, through work history or expressed career objectives, in developing hands-on experience with media and public relations.
- Dedicated follower of news of the day, current events, and current trends in the arts, culture and humanities spaces.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, with an interest in honing an ability to think about media relations from a strategic and creative perspective.
- Work history that demonstrates an ability to anticipate next steps, take initiative, exercise discretion, and apply sound judgment is preferred.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, with an interest in honing an ability to think about content from both a strategic and creative perspective.
- Familiarity with Cision, LexisNexis and/or PR Newswire is a plus.
- Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Must be flexible, highly organized, and able to juggle multiple and competing tasks and demands with impeccable follow-up and attention to detail.
- High level of interpersonal skills and discretion to handle sensitive and confidential situations.
- Ability to be highly productive working independently and as a member of a team.
- Interns should be either a) currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program or b) be within one year of their graduation.
- We will give preference to candidates who can be in the Foundation’s New York City offices two-to-three times per week, though remote internships will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Mellon Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Mellon offers a generous total reward package that includes base salary and a comprehensive benefits program, as well as an excellent working environment. Mellon is committed to providing compensation that is competitive and equitable within the philanthropic sector. The estimated salary range for this role is $27 - $30 an hour. The amount of pay offered will be determined by several factors, including but not limited to qualifications, unique skills, credentials, or experience that is expected to impact the candidate’s contribution to the role. We will also consider market data as well as the Foundation’s internal pay equity framework.
Please note that Mellon maintains a hybrid work schedule, with three days per week in person at the Foundation’s Manhattan offices.
Candidates should apply by submitting a cover letter describing fit for the position and a resume by Monday, April 1st HERE.
The Foundation will consider each response carefully, but only contact those individuals it believes are most qualified for the position.