Research Journalists & Write Tailored PR Pitches for Healthcare Tech Startup

We are looking to hire a research-driven PR contractor to help us build long-term relationships with journalists and publications in the healthcare and health-tech space. This is not a traditional press-release role. We are looking for someone who is deeply comfortable with research, journalist mapping, and thoughtful, tailored outreach. The goal is to create a sustainable PR foundation that we can build on for years, not to blast pitches at scale. About the Project: Our company operates in the healthcare / health-tech space and frequently touches on topics related to access, affordability, and the shortcomings of the U.S. healthcare system. We want to position ourselves as a credible, informed resource for journalists covering these areas. This role will focus on identifying the right journalists, publications, and angles — and helping us approach them in a way that is relevant, timely, and respectful of how modern journalism works today. Scope of Work & Deliverables: The contractor will be responsible for:

• Researching and identifying 5–7 comparable or adjacent brands in the healthcare / health-tech space (e.g., companies known for strong marketing and media presence)
• Identifying journalists who have written consistently about those brands within the past 12 months
• Identifying publications that covered early stage brands in the same space
• Building a target list of ~10 core publications we aim to develop long-term relationships with
• Mapping relevant journalists at each publication, including:
• Recent coverage topics
• Writing style and beat focus
• Preferred angles and interests
• Drafting short, tailored outreach emails (2–3 sentences) customized for each journalist
• Helping define and refine newsworthy angles, particularly around systemic healthcare issues
• Assisting with the creation of light research or survey concepts that could support future pitches
• Advising on timing, exclusivity, and embargo considerations when appropriate

How This Role Works:

• You will work independently, but in close collaboration with our internal team
• We will provide context, brand positioning, and strategic direction
• You will be expected to bring structure, research rigor, and thoughtful recommendations
• This is a strategic execution role, not just task completion

Timeline & Expectations:

• Initial engagement is month to month
• Early focus will be on research, mapping, and foundation-building
• Outreach will be intentional and paced, not rushed
• We value quality over quantity and long-term credibility over short-term placements

Required Experience:

• Prior experience in PR, media relations, journalism research, or editorial support
• Strong research skills and attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to tailor messaging to individual journalists (no mass pitching)
• Clear, concise writing style
• Familiarity with modern media landscapes, including Substack and independent journalism
• Comfort working with sensitive, nuanced topics in healthcare

Experience working with healthcare, health-tech, or regulated industries is a strong plus, but not required if your research skills are strong. What We’re Looking For: We are especially interested in candidates who:

• Enjoy the research side of PR
• Understand what makes a story genuinely newsworthy
• Respect journalists’ time and preferences
• Are comfortable advising, not just executing
• Can help us think strategically about long-term media relationships

Please respond thoughtfully to the screening questions. Proposals that do not address them may not be considered. Apply tot his job Apply To this Job