📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Specialist, Media Relations & Storytelling
🔹 Company: Mastercard
🔹 Location: Purchase, New York
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Corporate Communications
🔹 Date Posted: May 21, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and executing proactive media relations strategies to drive positive visibility for Mastercard
- Crafting engaging stories and collaborating with internal teams to ensure consistent messaging across all media communications
- Building and nurturing relationships with top-tier journalists, editors, and influencers across business, technology, and lifestyle sectors
- Aligning media efforts with broader organizational goals and priorities
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop and implement proactive media relations strategies to drive positive visibility for Mastercard
✅ Craft engaging stories, newsroom content, and thought leadership that align with Mastercard’s business objectives, market trends, and stakeholder interests
✅ Build and nurture relationships with top-tier journalists, editors, and influencers across business, technology, and lifestyle sectors to secure media coverage and establish Mastercard as a thought leader
✅ Collaborate with internal stakeholders (executives, marketing, product teams, and business and regional PR teams) to align messaging and ensure consistency across all media communications
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong writing and storytelling abilities, as well as established relationships with key journalists and a strategic mindset.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in communications: Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field. A master’s degree is a plus.
Experience: 5+ years of experience in media relations, public relations, or corporate communications, with a proven track record of developing and executing successful media relationships and strategies. Agency experience preferred.
Required Skills:
- Strong writing and storytelling abilities
- Established relationships with key journalists, bloggers, and influencers in the media landscape, particularly within finance, tech, and business sectors
- Strategic thinking and the ability to align media efforts with broader organizational goals and priorities
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Collaborative and team-oriented with the ability to work cross-functionally with various teams and stakeholders
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with media monitoring tools and platforms
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a proven track record in media relations and a strong understanding of the media landscape, particularly within finance, tech, and business sectors.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $98,000 - $156,000 USD (Purchase, New York) or $102,000 - $163,000 USD (New York City)
Benefits:
- Insurance (including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, disability, life insurance)
- Flexible spending account and health savings account
- Paid leaves (including 16 weeks new parent leave, up to 20 paid days bereavement leave)
- 10 annual paid sick days, 10 or more annual paid vacation days based on level, 5 personal days, 10 annual paid U.S. observed holidays
- 401k with a best-in-class company match, deferred compensation for eligible roles
- Fitness reimbursement or on-site fitness facilities, eligibility for tuition reimbursement
- Gender-inclusive benefits and many more
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on the location and experience level required for the role. Benefits are subject to change and may vary based on the employee's location and role.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Mastercard operates in the global digital payments and technology industry, with a focus on providing secure, simple, smart, and accessible transactions.
Company Size: Mastercard has 10,001+ employees, making it a large enterprise with a significant global presence.
Founded: Mastercard was founded in 1966 and has since grown into a leading global payments and technology company.
Company Description:
- Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide
- Supports a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart, and accessible
- Combines technology, innovation, partnerships, and networks to deliver unique products and services
Company Specialties:
- Global digital payments and commerce
- Technology and innovative mobile payment solutions
- Processing and other related services
Company Website: http://www.mastercard.com
ASSUMPTION: Mastercard is a well-established company with a strong global presence and a focus on driving innovation in the digital payments industry.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior specialist level, indicating significant experience and expertise in media relations and storytelling.
Reporting Structure: The Senior Specialist, Media Relations & Storytelling, will report directly to the Head of Media Relations and work closely with internal stakeholders across various teams.
Work Arrangement: This role is on-site, requiring the employee to work from Mastercard's offices in Purchase, New York, or New York City.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential advancement to a management role within the media relations team
- Opportunities to work on high-profile projects and initiatives
- Access to professional development and training programs
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for career growth and development within Mastercard's media relations team.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Mastercard's offices are corporate environments with a focus on collaboration and innovation.
Office Location(s): Purchase, New York, or New York City
Geographic Context:
- Purchase, New York, is a suburban area located approximately 30 miles north of Manhattan
- New York City is a major urban center with a diverse population and a wide range of cultural, entertainment, and dining options
- Both locations offer easy access to public transportation and are within commuting distance of major airports
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week) with flexibility for remote work as needed
ASSUMPTION: The work environment at Mastercard is collaborative and innovative, with a focus on driving results and supporting the company's mission.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the HR team
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
- Final interview with the Head of Media Relations
Key Assessment Areas:
- Writing and storytelling skills
- Media relations experience and strategic thinking
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with Mastercard's values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant media relations and storytelling experience
- Provide specific examples of your media relations successes and the impact you've made in previous roles
- Demonstrate your understanding of Mastercard's business and the media landscape in which it operates
ATS Keywords: Media Relations, Storytelling, Strategic Thinking, Journalists, Relationship Building, Thought Leadership, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Stakeholder Management
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is competitive, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their relevant experience and skills throughout the interview process.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Media monitoring tools and platforms (e.g., Muck Rack, Agility PR Solutions, Cision)
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Drupal)
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be comfortable using media monitoring tools and platforms, as well as Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant technologies for content creation and management.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Do the right thing
- Stay curious
- Inclusive
- Agile
- One team, one dream
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Focused on driving results and supporting the company's mission
- Adaptable and responsive to change
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How have you demonstrated your commitment to doing the right thing in previous roles?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt to a significant change or challenge, and how did you approach it?
- How do you ensure that your work aligns with Mastercard's values and supports the company's mission?
ASSUMPTION: Mastercard values candidates who are committed to doing the right thing, staying curious, and working collaboratively to drive results and support the company's mission.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
- Balancing the needs and priorities of various internal stakeholders
- Adapting to changes in the media landscape and Mastercard's business priorities
- Working effectively with remote team members and stakeholders
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong project management skills, the ability to balance multiple priorities, and adaptability to changes in the media landscape and business priorities.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Senior Media Relations Manager or Senior Communications Manager with a focus on storytelling and thought leadership
- Unlike other roles in the industry, this position requires a strong understanding of the global digital payments and technology landscape
- Career progression in this role may lead to management or leadership positions within Mastercard's media relations team
ASSUMPTION: This role is unique within the industry, requiring a strong understanding of the global digital payments and technology landscape and offering opportunities for career growth and development within Mastercard's media relations team.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a media relations strategy to launch a new Mastercard product or service
- Crafting thought leadership content for Mastercard's executives to position the company as an industry leader in digital payments and technology
- Managing a crisis communications situation to protect Mastercard's reputation and maintain stakeholder trust
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and challenges that the Senior Specialist, Media Relations & Storytelling, may face in this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the media relations team?
- How does this role fit into the broader organizational structure and priorities of Mastercard?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the media relations team currently, and how can this role help address them?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within this role and the media relations team?
- How does Mastercard support work-life balance for its employees, particularly in this role?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to help candidates better understand the role, the team, and the company, and to assess whether the position is the right fit for their career goals and personal preferences.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant media relations and storytelling experience
- Prepare examples of your media relations successes and the impact you've made in previous roles
- Demonstrate your understanding of Mastercard's business and the media landscape in which it operates
- Follow up with the HR team one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
