Public & Media Relations Specialist

Description

Is God calling you to ministry?

For over 70 years, The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) has proclaimed the Gospel through its various ministries. Whether you work at our headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove (BGTC) in Asheville, North Carolina, Blue Ridge Broadcasting (BRB) in Asheville, North Carolina or a field office abroad, you are part of a team of committed Christians working together to reach people to the ends of the earth with the Gospel.

CHRISTIAN PURPOSE AND EXPECTATIONS:

All employees proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ through their employment, and thereby further BGEA's religious mission.

Department Detail - The Communications Department at BGEA consists of the following areas: project management, ecommerce, email marketing, advertising, public relations/social media/promotion, creative services (graphic design, content writing/proofing and production), and Decision magazine, our official monthly publication. The department tells the story of what God is doing through the BGEA by creating print and online content that support the organization's mission of proclaiming the Gospel, negotiating paid and leveraging unpaid promotional placements, and engaging new and existing supporters with targeted content using a combination of indirect and direct communications channels.

Job Summary - This professional communications position serves as a primary coordinator for PR events/projects. This position is responsible for gaining positive external exposure for the organization's ministries in broadcast, digital, and print media, enhancing BGEA's visibility and credibility, and addressing or responding to media regarding BGEA.

Ministry Requirements

• Maintains a personal, active relationship with Jesus Christ and is a consistent witness for Jesus Christ
• Faithfully upholds BGEA in prayer
• Participates in daily BGEA staff devotions including Bible reading, and leading group prayer as schedule permits
• Demonstrates behavior aligned with BGEA's Mission Statement, Statement of Faith, Hallmarks, policies, and expectations
• Effectively represents Jesus Christ to those within both personal and professional spheres of influence

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Draft and distribute press releases, media alerts, and social media collateral to support the public relations efforts of BGEA
• Pitch stories about BGEA to international, national, and local media in order to generate media placements.
• Pitch & coordinate interviews for BGEA spokespeople, obtaining any necessary approvals in advance
• Develop and provide talking points and conduct interview (or public speaking) prep sessions (mock interview, wardrobe expectations, etc.) with approved spokespeople in advance of interviews
• Assist with on-site media areas and interview requests at BGEA events
• Create and provide appropriate materials for specific media events and media requests
• Identify newsworthy trends and story angles to enhance the team's efforts to reach both existing and new audiences
• Continually develop, cultivate, and maintain relationships with local, regional, national, community groups and trade media
• Monitor media mentions, work to expediently correct factual inaccuracies in media coverage, and provide relevant news and updates to leadership
• Keep apprised of trends and advances in the PR profession, technology, and social media to maintain high standards of excellence in our outward-facing work product
• Implement media strategies and communications tactics for promotion of BGEA and its various ministry efforts and events
• Manage and maintain BGEA social media accounts to establish and cultivate a consistent public image and increase public engagement with the ministry
• When requested, develop, propose, and implement communications content plans that reflect and promote the goals and mission of the BGEA
• Develop and post original content for ministry social media accounts and BGEA's website, as requested
• Frequently provide updates directly to social media platforms, internal BGEA contacts, and/or the media during breaking news events
• Monitor and moderate comments on social media platforms
• Work with internal video producers, photographers and creative services to obtain coordinated content
• Consistently review online analytics to evaluate and make adjustments to content tactics and scheduling
• Proactively respond to media inquiries, utilizing the Media Inbox in Outlook
• Maintain departmental press materials and records
• Develop and maintain departmental media lists
• Serve as a backup spokesperson for BGEA when necessary
• Travel to BGEA events and Rapid Response Team Chaplain deployments is required

Marginal Duties and Responsibilities

• Research for backgrounders, talking points, grant proposals, or BGEA programs or presentations
• Research topical statements by Mr. Graham, Franklin Graham, and Will Graham for use in responding to media requests
• Coordinates work with the various other BGEA departments
• Other duties as assigned

Job Specifications

Skills and Knowledge

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or related field required
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in public relations, marketing or communications preferred
• Ability to communicate verbally and in written form with staff of all levels of the association
• Excellent journalistic and business writing skills
• Thorough knowledge of AP Style preferred
• Capacity for strategy development, critical thinking and creativity in storytelling
• Experience with and the ability to develop relationships with media outlets
• A thorough understanding of social media platforms such as Facebook, IG, X, and Pinterest
• Experience with public speaking with the ability to speak clearly and confidently in order to represent the ministry well
• Ability to relate to people well, being approachable, as well as have the ability to manage administrative tasks as well simultaneously
• Experience with or capacity to acquire a thorough understanding of Microsoft Office Suite, with particular strength in Word, Excel and Outlook

Physical/Mental Demands

• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to convey a positive and professional image to the media and public
• Must exhibit active listening skills, able to accurately answer inquiries associated with the ministry
• Ability to problem solve, making fair and sound judgements with tact, finding necessary solutions when problems arise
• Reflect a servant's heart with a strong desire to serve others
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team while demonstrating flexibility when priorities change
• Capacity to prioritize work and manage multiple projects in a high-paced environment

Working Conditions

• This is not a remote position
• Work is typically performed in a conventional office environment
• Extensive domestic travel required
• Occasional international travel may be possible
• Willingness and flexibility to work odd hours as needed

Mission Statement

Continuing the lifelong work of Billy Graham, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association exists to support and extend the evangelistic calling and ministry of Franklin Graham by proclaiming the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to all we can by every effective means available to us and by equipping the church and others to do the same.

Statement of Faith

These core beliefs make up the foundation upon which all our ministry endeavors are based.

• We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God revealing the love of God to the world. (1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; John 3:16).
• We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
  (Matthew 28:19; John 10:30; Ephesians 4:4-6).
• We believe in the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood on the cross, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory. (Matthew 1:23; John 1:1-4 and 1:29; Acts 1:11 and 2:22-24; Romans 8:34; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 1:1-4 and 4:15).
• We believe that all men everywhere are lost and face the judgment of God, that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation, and that for the salvation of lost and sinful man, repentance of sin and faith in Jesus Christ results in regeneration by the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, we believe that God will reward the righteous with eternal life in heaven, and that He will banish the unrighteous to everlasting punishment in hell. (Luke 24:46-47; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:23; 2 Corinthians 5:10-11; Ephesians 1:7 and 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7).
• We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, whose indwelling enables the Christian to live a godly life. (John 3:5-8; Acts 1:8 and 4:31; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Galatians 5:16-18; Ephesians 6:12; Colossians 2:6-10).
• We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; the saved unto the resurrection of eternal life and the lost unto the resurrection of damnation and eternal punishment. (1 Corinthians 15:51-57; Revelation 20:11-15).
• We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ and that all true believers are members of His body, the church. (1 Corinthians 12:12, 27; Ephesians 1:22-23).
• We believe that the ministry of evangelism (sharing and proclaiming the message of salvation only possible by grace through faith in Jesus Christ) and discipleship (helping followers of Christ grow up into maturity in Christ) is a responsibility of all followers of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:9-15;1 Peter 3:15).
• We believe God's plan for human sexuality is to be expressed only within the context of marriage, that God created man and woman as unique biological persons made for each other. God instituted monogamous marriage between male and female as the foundation of the family and the basic structure of human society. For this reason, we believe that marriage is exclusively the union of one genetic male and one genetic female. (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5-6; Mark 10:6-9; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9).
• We believe that we must dedicate ourselves to prayer, to the service of our Lord, to His authority over our lives, and to the ministry of evangelism. (Matthew 9:35-38; 22:37-39, and 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:9-15 and 12:20-21; Galatians 6:10; Colossians 2:6-10; 1 Peter 3:15).
• We believe that human life is sacred from conception to its natural end; and that we must have concern for the physical and spiritual needs of our fellowmen. (Psalm 139:13; Isaiah 49:1; Jeremiah 1:5; Matthew 22:37-39; Romans 12:20-21; Galatians 6:10).
• We believe God wonderfully and immutably creates each person biological male or female. These two distinct, but complementary sexes together reflect the image and likeness of God. Rejection of one's biological sex is a rejection of God's merciful design and creative order. (Genesis 1:26-27; Mark 10:6; 1 Corinthians 6:9; Deuteronomy 22:5).

Expectations for Ministry Employment

As an employee of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association:

• I acknowledge that the Lord Jesus Christ is my personal Savior and that I am a personal representative of Him.
• I understand that BGEA is a Christian organization whose purpose is proclaiming the message of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ throughout the world.
• I agree that the purpose of my employment with BGEA is to further its Christian purpose, that I am prepared to assist in accomplishing that purpose, and that my role with BGEA plays a vital part in carrying out its Christian purpose and mission.
• I understand that I must exhibit conduct that is consistent with BGEA's expectations, whether at work or away from work, in keeping with scriptural teachings and principles as set forth in God's Word, BGEA's Statement of Faith, and BGEA's policies including Christian Conduct.
• I understand that BGEA has the right and the responsibility to ensure that its Christian religious purpose is carried on with the highest standards and is not harmed or impeded by conduct that is inconsistent with the Bible, BGEA's Statement of Faith, its Christian religious purpose, or its policies
• I understand that any of my conduct which is not in keeping with the scriptural teachings and principles as set forth in God's Word, BGEA's Statement of Faith, and BGEA's policies, is inconsistent with BGEA's Christian religious purpose.
• I understand that if my conduct is determined by BGEA to be inconsistent with its Christian religious purpose, the result will be corrective action up to and including termination from employment.

The Title VII Exception for Employment

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) is a faith-based religious organization committed to spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ through every effective means. Consistent with our charitable purpose to share the Christian faith, a requirement for employment at BGEA is affirmation and adherence to our Christian Statement of Faith. Our Statement of Faith prerequisite for employment is based upon federal law set forth in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. Section 2000e-1.

Benefits Summary:
Full-Time employees working at least 36 hours per week, are eligible for benefits.

• Medical, prescription, dental and vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Long term and short term disability insurance
• Term Life insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• 10 paid holidays, including 1 floating holiday
• Minimum 12 days of vacation
• 10 sick days