Storyteller & Media Relations Associate

# Storyteller & Media Relations Associate Islamic Leadership Institute Part Time remote or Columbia Share:##

Job Description
** Position

Purpose:

** The Storyteller & Media Relations Associate will play a key role in amplifying the voice and impact of Islamic Leadership Institute of America. This role combines creative storytelling with proactive media engagement to highlight ILIA’s student projects, leadership initiatives, and community contributions. The associate will craft compelling narratives, secure media coverage, and develop advocacy strategies that elevate ILIA’s presence across media platforms and with public officials.

This role engages with all internal team members and external stakeholders. Communicating the team's accomplishments and organizational impact to the world. The successful candidate possesses strong story writing capabilities and is proficient in using digital tools to draft email messages and campaigns, and social media posts, to grow strong engagement with our students, parents, donors and partners, as well as attract the interest of media outlets.

Familiarity with the domain of human development, youth empowerment and leadership training is a plus.
** Role

Qualifications:

*** Bachelor’s in journalism, communications, media relations, public affairs, or related field.
* Strong writing and storytelling skills with a portfolio of published content.
* Experience pitching stories to media outlets and securing coverage.
* Familiarity with advocacy, community engagement, or nonprofit communications preferred.
* Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to build relationships with media, partners, and public officials.
* Self-motivated, deadline-driven, and detail-oriented.
* Excellent English writing skills
* Knowledge of basic Arabic
* Knowledge of press release writing
* Interest in sharing impact of nonprofits
* Strong learning attitude
* Interest in engaging with media organizations
* Ability to work with a diverse team including young team members
* Ability to schedule posts and track post and content effectiveness
** Responsibilities:
**** Storytelling & Content Development
*** Research, write, and publish 5–7 high-quality stories weekly that highlight ILIA student projects, success stories, accomplishments and community impact.
* Ensure stories reflect ILIA’s brand voice and align with its mission of empowering youth and community capacity building.
* Collaborate with program managers, students, and staff to gather insights, quotes, and visual assets for storytelling.
* Repurpose stories into diverse formats (articles, blog posts, newsletters, press releases, social posts).
* Develop Press Releases for organization events, accomplishment and impact, and share with media.
* Publish ILIA’s weekly email newsletter.
* Provide content for web editors to post on ILIA’s News Website and review the post.
* Develop annual reports and program summaries.
** Media Relations
*** Build and maintain relationships with journalists, editors, and media outlets.
* Engage with 1–2 media outlets weekly through pitches, follow-ups, and networking.
* Secure at least one media interview or major media coverage per quarter featuring ILIA, its founder, faculty, programs, or students.
* Draft press releases, talking points, and media kits to support coverage.
** Advocacy & Public Affairs
*** Develop and implement an advocacy policy for ILIA student projects, ensuring alignment with organizational values and the needs of the community.
* Monitor policy issues relevant to youth leadership, education, and community empowerment.
* Coordinate outreach efforts with public officials and policymakers to raise awareness of ILIA’s impact.
* Prepare briefing notes, advocacy materials, and policy statements for engagement opportunities.
* Manage content and issues on ILIA resource centers, primarily, Palestine Resource Center.