Media Relations Lead Security Clearance

Position: Media Relations Lead with Security Clearance
Why choose between doing meaningful work and having a fulfilling life? At MITRE, you can have both. That's because MITRE people are committed to tackling our nation's toughest challenges-and we're committed to the long-term well-being of our employees. MITRE is different from most technology companies. We are a not-for-profit corporation chartered to work for the public interest, with no commercial conflicts to influence what we do.

The R&D centers we operate for the government create lasting impact in fields as diverse as cybersecurity, healthcare, aviation, defense, and enterprise transformation. We're making a difference every day-working for a safer, healthier, and more secure nation and world. Our workplace reflects our values. We offer competitive benefits, exceptional professional development opportunities for career growth, and a culture of innovation that embraces adaptability, collaboration, technical excellence, and people in partnership.

If this sounds like the choice you want to make, then choose MITRE - and make a difference with us. Communications and External Affairs (CXA) tells the story of MITRE's research, scientific breakthroughs, and public impact. The department brings together a team of 30+ writers, editors, multimedia and social media professionals, designers, public and government relations experts, and event strategists who shape and amplify the company's voice across internal and external stakeholders.

The Media Relations Lead is part of a small team of senior communications professionals responsible for developing and executing MITRE's enterprise media relations strategy. Working as a collaborative team, the Media Relations Leads partner to build relationships with national, regional, trade, and technical media; identify opportunities to showcase MITRE's research and thought leadership; and translate complex technical work into compelling stories that resonate with policymakers, industry leaders, and the public.

Each lead manages a portfolio of technical domains and business priorities while partnering closely to ensure coordinated, consistent, and enterprise-wide media engagement. The Media Relations Lead also serves as a strategic communications advisor to MITRE leadership, providing counsel on media engagement, reputation management, and external communications strategies that advance corporate priorities while reinforcing MITRE's public-interest mission. Working across business sectors, corporate functions, and the broader Communications and External Affairs team, this individual will help ensure MITRE's external presence is coordinated, credible, and aligned with the company's role as a leader of federally funded research and development centers.

Success in this role requires exceptional judgment, strong instincts, and the ability to navigate a large, matrixed organization with competing priorities. The ideal candidate can quickly assess opportunities and risks, provide sound communications counsel, and build alignment among diverse stakeholders while protecting and advancing MITRE's reputation. The successful candidate will be equally comfortable developing long-term media strategies, responding to breaking news, preparing executives for interviews, and identifying opportunities to increase awareness of MITRE's research, innovation, and national impact.

Roles & Responsibilities :
* Partner with the Media Relations Leads and Communications and External Affairs leadership to develop and execute MITRE's enterprise media relations strategy, leading media engagement for an assigned portfolio of technical domains, research priorities, and business initiatives while ensuring consistent enterprise messaging.

* Advise MITRE leadership on media engagement, public positioning, reputation management, and communications strategies related to corporate priorities, emerging issues, and high-profile initiatives.

* Build and maintain strong relationships with national, regional, trade, defense, technology, business, and policy media.

* Identify, develop, and execute proactive media opportunities that elevate MITRE's visibility and demonstrate the impact of its research, technical leadership, and public-interest mission across an assigned portfolio of technical domains and business priorities.

* Partner closely with technical leaders, researchers, executives, and communications colleagues to translate complex scientific, engineering, cybersecurity, and policy topics into clear, accurate, and compelling stories for external audiences.

* Draft and edit core media materials, including press releases, statements, talking points, and Q&As.

* Prepare executives and subject matter experts for media interviews, podcasts, conferences, and other public engagements through strategic messaging, media coaching, and issue preparation.

* Monitor the evolving media landscape, emerging news, and issues relevant to MITRE's mission, providing timely strategic counsel, risk assessment, and recommendations to…