Public Relations Manager

Reporting to: Vice President, Public Relations

Location: Remote or NYC Hybrid

A Plus: Spanish Language Skills (speaking, writing, reading)

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Public Relations Manager (PR Manager) supports the organization’s public relations activities including writing news releases, talking points, and news stories; tracking of relevant media coverage and day-to-day engagement with journalists at the national and local levels as well as administrative tasks related to the function.

Supporting the organization’s state-based public relations needs is core to this role with 73 Chapters nationwide. The PR Manager oversees the implementation and execution of a PR Ambassador program empowering chapter PR efforts at the state/regional levels. The PR function is fast-paced, and the PR Manager needs strong organizational and project management skills to be successful in this role. They will have an eye for identifying opportunities to spotlight AFSP through media. Bilingual Spanish language skills (reading, writing, speaking) are a plus.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

General Media Relations: 60%

• Supporting the VP of Public Relations in paid and earned media engagement across the organization; coordinate outreach with social media team
• National Communications support – field public relations/media interview requests and support needs such as media lists, press releases, advisories, news stories and more; coordinate content production and related activities including sourcing volunteer voices for inclusion
• Provide support for media at events including coordination of activities pre, during and post event
• Media communications and scheduling – support the provision of information to media for proactive and reactive requests and coordinate logistics to schedule interviews between AFSP spokespeople and media
• Monitoring media for mentions and relevance – curate list of media coverage (with agency support) for staff and partner dissemination; contact journalists to offer AFSP as a resource or correct information; work with social media lead to engage journalists on channels and create social content around earned and reactive media coverage as well as other opportunities
• Press materials placement and archiving – coordinate distribution of press materials through wire service (PR Newswire); archive and post on our website, maintain archive of press materials accessible to team
• Journalist database – build and manage a database of owned media relationships
• Media lists – create media lists for pitches related to national, state, and chapter efforts
• Ethical reporting – monitor media to ensure suicide is reported ethically and conduct related outreach to reporters to offer guidelines/training; provide support for related needs across chapters
• Online resources – provide support to maintain Newsroom section of website and internal communications platform with relevant media relations and communications documents and resources

Chapter Communications: 40%

• Chapter communications support – field public relations/media interview requests from chapters and support needs such as media lists, press releases, advisories, and more; coordinate content production and related activities; support volunteer collaborations, and localization of national stories
• Spokesperson Directory – support creating a directory from qualified spokespeople through chapter PR functions and also through national channels to facilitate fulfilling speaking requests across topic and other demographic criteria.
• PR Ambassadors – serve as point person on chapter PR Ambassador communications and guidance on disseminating the latest AFSP media messages and talking points, including AFSP statements and leadership messages. Help provide support for: challenging media situations, ongoing coaching, communications training and public relations resources, media interview requests, and media engagement. Maintain meeting agendas, scheduling of meetings, preparation of materials, and updated group list.

Note:

• An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
• The above list reflects the general details necessary to describe the principle and essential functions of the position and shall not be construed as the only duties that may be assigned for the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, Public Relations, Communications or related area of study

Experience and/or Training At least 2 years’ public relations experience, internship experience may be included

Technology Experience using Cision, Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools and software

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience and/or Training 2-4 years public relations experience working in a non-profit environment

Technology Experience using Monday.com as a project management tool

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:

• Excellent editing, writing and interpersonal skills.
• Must be adept at managing multiple projects and timelines.
• Must be able to view communications through the lens of equity and be able to demonstrate this.
• Social media skills are preferable.
• Bilingual Spanish language skills (reading, writing, speaking) are a plus.
• Due to nature of the role and media cycle, employee may be asked to address media requests outside of 9-5 work hours.
• Uphold and exhibit the agency’s Core Values.
• Attend all mandatory meetings and trainings.
• Ability to work a full-time schedule and have regular attendance at the workplace.
• All other work-related duties as assigned.
• Ability to travel as needed to attend work meetings or events

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:

• Ability to communicate via phone, email, and video conference on regular basis.
• Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and/or hear, and/or use hands to finger, handle, or touch objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand, and/or walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds while moving files or small packages. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The mental and physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.
• The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

• Primarily remote with occasional in-person meetings and travel.
• Fast paced and dynamic work environment.
• High level of interaction with staff, partners, and the public.
• Communicate virtually, via Zoom, Microsoft Teams, telephone, and email.
• Regularly work as part of a team.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.