National Media Spokesperson

This role serves as a primary national media spokesperson for the American Petroleum Institute, operating at the center of a fast-moving political, policy, and geopolitical environment. The position helps drive proactive national media strategy, shapes coverage at moments of political and regulatory inflection, and positions API as the definitive voice of the U.S. oil and natural gas industry. The role builds and maintains trusted relationships with top-tier national reporters and engages directly with journalists to explain nuanced policy positions and articulate the industry’s perspective with clarity and authority.

In close partnership with members of the media team, this position helps drive a disciplined, day-to-day rapid response media operation — ensuring timely, coordinated engagement across breaking news cycles, major policy debates, election cycles, economic developments, and global events.

Working closely with API leadership, policy experts, government affairs, and communications colleagues, the role translates complex issues into clear, compelling narratives that resonate beyond Washington and reinforce API’s broader advocacy priorities. It staffs and prepares API executives and subject‑matter experts for high‑profile media engagements, providing strategic counsel, message development, and hands‑on preparation to ensure clarity, confidence, and message discipline.

• Serve as an on‑record national spokesperson, representing API in high‑profile print, digital, broadcast, and cable interviews.
• Engage directly with national reporters in both proactive and reactive settings, clearly articulating API’s policy positions and industry perspective on complex and evolving issues and correcting the record as necessary.
• Build, cultivate, and maintain strong relationships with top‑tier national reporters, editors, and producers.
• Help develop and execute national media strategy in partnership with the broader media team, ensuring message discipline and narrative consistency.
• Help lead day‑to‑day rapid response efforts, monitoring coverage, identifying emerging narratives, and deploying timely messaging under tight deadlines.
• Develop and pitch proactive storylines tied to major policy debates, industry milestones, economic developments, and geopolitical events.
• Secure strategic placements, background briefings, editorial board meetings, exclusives, and on‑record opportunities for API leadership and subject‑matter experts.
• Anticipate emerging media risks and political flash points; develop clear, concise guidance during high‑pressure moments and crisis situations.
• Staff and prepare API executives and policy experts for national media engagements, including interview briefs, Q&As, prep sessions, and rehearsal support.
• Translate complex legislative, regulatory, and economic issues into compelling, media‑ready messaging.
• Identify opportunities to tap into the news cycle and reach the press through timely digital media engagement.
• Draft and distribute press statements, talking points, backgrounders, and media materials with accuracy and strategic clarity.
• Coordinate closely with policy, government affairs, legal, digital, and public affairs teams to ensure alignment across communications channels.
• Engage member companies to align messaging and coordinate media activity during high‑visibility moments.
• Partner with external firms and consultants as needed to extend reach and execution capacity.

• Reports directly to the Director of External Communications.

• Requires a minimum of 7‑10 years of experience in communications, public relations, public affairs or a similar role with subject matter expertise.
• At least 5 years of media relations experience, including experience as an on‑record spokesperson.
• Demonstrated ability to engage confidently and credibly with national reporters, explaining complex policy issues with clarity and composure.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication, project management, and operational skills are essential.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant area, or other related field equivalent work experience.
• Outstanding writing/editing skills…