National Media Spokesperson

Job Summary

This role serves as a national media spokesperson for the American Petroleum Institute, managing media engagements and 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.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Serve as an on-the-record spokesperson, representing API in high-profile news stories and shaping coverage of the oil and natural gas industry. . .
• 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 Director of External Communications and 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-the-record opportunities for API leadership and subject-matter experts.
• Anticipate emerging media risks and political flashpoints; 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.

Key Relationships

• Reports directly to the Director of External Communications.

Qualifications

• Requires a minimum of 7-10 of experience in communications, public relations, public affairs or a similar role and subject matter expertise.
• At least 5 years of media relations experience, including experience as an on-the-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 relevant area, or other related field equivalent work experience.
• Outstanding writing/editing skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to respond promptly to executive and members' needs and solicit team feedback to meet project deadlines, while maintaining high-quality results.
• Self-starter who takes initiative with experience working both independently and well with others is essential.
• Working knowledge of policy issues, Congress, the Executive Branch, and political debate.
• Ability to perform in a fast work environment and multi-task multiple projects and initiatives under tight deadlines.
• Ability to provide informed media counsel and exercise sound judgment when interacting with reporters.

Physical Requirements

• Able to remain in a stationary position working on a computer
• Move about the office to access office…