Media Relations Specialist

Job description / Role

Under the supervision of the Manager, Media Relations this role provides support to the Manager, Media Relations for the creation and implementation of a media relations strategy across individual markets in the Middle East and other key locations. Works with the Manager, Media Relations to support communication to Arabic media. Coordinates media enquiries and requests from English and Arabic language media. Offers Media Training to college spokesperson(s). Acts as Media Consultant for the College. Supports the Manager, Media Relations in the field of Arabic copywriting, translation and proofreading.

POSITION ACTIVITIES:
- Translates text from English into Arabic across all college communication collaterals including publications, newsletter and the WCMC-Q website. Provides a written translation service for other divisions. Also supports the Manager, Media Relations in the field of Arabic copywriting, translation into Arabic and proofreading of Arabic language documents.
- Expands and upholds media contacts as well as supports the Manager, Media Relations in the achieving of the target to maintain a media relations program as directed.
- Cultivates and nurtures media representatives and serves as a point of contact for the media, cultivates Media interviews opportunities, facilitates the Media interviews and ensures the quality of same by providing Media Training to WCMC-Q spokespersons.
- Updates and maintains the media contacts database.
- Provides support in Developing, implementing, and managing media relations campaigns.
- Creates and manages corporate hospitality events or requested services including reserving conference rooms, determining catering needs, preparing conference materials, tracking various expenditures and revenues, collecting fees and maintaining any necessary records.
- Coordinates corporate hospitality events for media representatives, also creates media information kits in both English and Arabic.
- Works closely with the Photographer to provide digital images to media outlets and captions images accordingly.
- Supports in ensuring a better placement of WCMC-Q materials in the local Media with the goal of enhancing the publics’ knowledge of the college and its tripartite mission of education, research, and clinical care.
- Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

- BA in Journalism or similar discipline or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 3-5 years years experience in the fields of press office media relations and or journalism.
- Good working knowledge of media relations concepts, principles, methodology, and techniques.
- Expert level spoken and written Arabic language skills.
- Advanced level spoken and written English language skills
- Advanced level interpersonal and communications skills with cultural sensitivity and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in diverse communities in the US and in Qatar.
- Ability to foster a cooperative work environment
- An excellent working knowledge of IT and all applications relating to communications
- Ability to work well under pressure, with a close attention to detail
- Ability to work to tight deadlines
- Ability to work well as a team
- A flexible and committed approach to the job

HIGHLY DESIRABLE:
- Appropriate Masters degree.
- Prior writing for a commercial organization or as a journalist.
- Prior experience in the Middle East and specifically Qatar.
- Previously demonstrated success in developing and fostering a cooperative collaborative work environment

About the Company

Founded in 1898 and affiliated with what is now New York - Presbyterian Hospital (NYPH) since 1927, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) is one of the top-ranked clinical and medical research centers in the U.S. It is committed to excellence in research, teaching and patient care, and the advancement of the art and science of medicine.

In addition to the degree in medicine, Weill Cornell offers PhD programs in biomedical research and education at the Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences; a joint MD-MBA program with Cornell's Johnson School of Management; and a joint MD-PhD program with Rockefeller University and Sloan-Kettering Institute.