Manager, Media Relations in Washington, District of Columbia at Consumer Healthcare Products Association

Organization Overview

Founded in 1881, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) is the national trade association representing the leading manufacturers and marketers in the consumer healthcare industry with its core capabilities, including scientific and regulatory affairs, government affairs, and communications. CHPA is the leading voice fighting to ensure that Americans have access to beneficial over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, dietary supplements, and consumer medical devices they can count on to be reliable, save money and time, and deliver new and better ways to get and stay healthy. CHPA partners with its member companies to promote a more inclusive industry and to support a broader diversity, equity, and inclusion effort to ensure equity for CHPA’s staff and consumers in the United States.

CHPA fosters employee engagement and reward staff through challenging work, competitive compensation and benefits, flexible scheduling and time-off options, and opportunities to grow and develop professionally.

Position Description

The Manager of Media Relations (Manager) leads CHPA’s day-to-day media relations activities, with a focus on policy-driven communications related to federal and state self-care issues. Reporting to the Vice President, Media Relations & Public Affairs (Vice President), this role is responsible for the drafting and distribution of press materials, managing reporter engagement, compiling daily press clips, supporting rapid response efforts, and coordinating media outreach and spokesperson preparation with oversight and final approval from the Vice President.

This role is ideal for a communications professional with Capitol Hill or policy communications experience, particularly in a congressional press office or committee environment. The Manager should be a strong writer who understands policy messaging and thrives in a fast-paced, issues-driven environment.

A successful candidate will bring a strong foundation in press operations and policy communications, ideally with experience in a congressional office, committee, or similar fast-paced policy environment.

Essential Functions

These essential functions are not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required for this job. Activities, duties, and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

Media Relations & Execution

• Serves as the day-to-day lead for media relations execution, managing inbound press inquiries.
• Drafts and distributes press releases, statements, media responses, op-eds, and other press materials for review and approval across appropriate channels, including media lists, wire services, and digital platforms.
• Builds and maintains relationships with national, trade, and policy reporters covering healthcare and consumer issues.
• Monitors media coverage, compiles daily press clips, identifies opportunities for proactive engagement, and produces media reports on breaking news/trending issues as needed.
• Contributes to rapid response efforts tied to breaking news, policy developments, and emerging issues.
• Coordinates interview logistics and spokesperson preparation.
• Coordinates the timely posting of press releases, statements, and other media materials on CHPA’s website and digital platforms.
• Supports the development and execution of social media content that supports media relations and policy communications priorities.

Policy-Focused Communications

• Drafts messaging and materials related to federal and state legislative and regulatory issues, including statements, Q&As, media prep documents, and one-pagers / policy documents.
• Translates complex policy and regulatory topics into clear, media-ready communications.
• Coordinates closely with Government Affairs, Legal, Regulatory, and other internal teams to ensure preparedness, message alignment, and accuracy.
• Supports the development of messaging and communications materials to support grassroots and advocacy campaigns, including letter-writing initiatives and stakeholder engagement efforts, in coordination with Government Affairs and internal teams.

Executive Comms & Media Preparation

• With direction from the Vice President, develops talking points and Q&A documents for senior leadership.
• Supports preparation for media interviews, panels, and public appearances.
• Ensures consistency and discipline in external messaging.
• Rapid Response & Internal Coordination
• Tracks media activity and emerging issues, keeping the Vice President and leadership informed of risks and communications outputs.
• Manages workflows to ensure timely drafting, review, and dissemination of materials.
• Collaborates cross-functionally across all CHPA internal departments to support media efforts as needed.
• Delivers regular media intelligence and updates to CHPA member companies, including presenting on monthly Public Affairs & Communications Committee calls and other stakeholder briefings as needed.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, political science, public affairs, or related field.
• 3 or more years of experience in media relations, public affairs, or political communications.

Preferred Experience

• Experience in a Capitol Hill press office, congressional committee, or comparable policy communications role strongly preferred.
• Experience in healthcare, public health, FDA-regulated industries, or related policy environments
• Experience working with trade associations, advocacy organizations, or coalitions.