Public Relations Manager-Great Lakes Market

This position, based in Schaumburg, IL,  offers a unique and coveted opportunity to join a dynamic and results-oriented Public Relations team with one of the country’s foremost technology companies. It provides an exciting work environment that is fast-paced and agency-like, coupled with a supportive culture and truly outstanding benefits focused on both personal and professional development.

Verizon is looking to engage a highly strategic and driven Public Relations professional to manage its Great Lakes market, which includes the states of Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia. This individual will work closely with organization leadership, as well as form and maintain relationships with valued community partners and influencers on behalf of Verizon.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Work with HQ Corporate Communications leaders, as well as the Great Lakes market president and leadership team to align external communications efforts with the goals and objectives of the company. Key areas of focus include: Traditional and Social Media Relations, Product/Service Publicity, Crisis Communications, and Community Relations.

Travel required: 30-35%.

Traditional and Social Media Relations:

• Align with corporate strategies and initiatives, develop market-focused external communications plan that helps sell products & services, promotes our brand and key attributes, underscores our brand promise, and positions the company as both the industry leader and a driven community partner.
• Develop and strengthen relationships with targeted broadcast, print and digital media, including media that serves diverse communities.
• Serve as initial point of contact for news media and spokesperson on company matters.
• Help ensure Verizon is the leader in share of media attention in the cities/markets/social feeds in which we do business within the Great Lakes market and that news coverage is favorable, fair and accurate.
• Identify and create opportunities to obtain media coverage for Verizon's products, services and community commitment to favorably position the brand and promote awareness of brand attributes andcompany offerings.
• Develop market specific public relations plans and supporting media relations materials (fact sheets, FAQs, response statements, news releases, event outline, social media campaigns) for Verizon’s products, services and activities for market use; provide effective and innovative market support for national product launches.
• Craft social media plans for PR efforts and build and support social media influencer efforts.
• Create and review content for posting to the Verizon Wireless News Center.
• Prepare Great Lakes leaders and subject matter experts for interviews and speaking engagements, for maximum result.
• Oversee PR agency management support, providing guidance, direction and action steps, in conjunction with HQ.

Crisis Communications & Issues Management:

• Effectively prepare for and manage communications around issues and events that pose risk to the company’s reputation in the market.

Community Affairs:

• Manage company-supported community relations activities in the market, including the Verizon Foundation’s #Humanability and HopeLine programs and other Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.

Public Policy:

• As needed, work with HQ Corp Comms and Verizon’s legal and public affairs teams to assess and respond to public policy opportunities/challenges in the Great Lakes market.

You'll Need To Have:

What we’re looking for...

• Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, Marketing or related field.
• Six or more years of relevant work experience.
• Six or more years of experience in journalism, traditional or social media, communications or technology experience.

Even Better If You Have:

• Six or more years of experience in digital storytelling.
• Consumer technology or major consumer/retail brand experience.
• Video storytelling skills.
• Experience within a Fortune 100 environment, with a U.S.-based multinational, matrixed organization.
• A strong background of success generating strategic, positive news coverage and working with local and national media outlets.
• A strong experience working with all levels of management, including senior executives.
• An in-depth knowledge of best-in-class content approaches.
• A strong understanding of current and emerging social media channels/trends, and social expertise on multiple platforms.
• An ability to plan and execute complex projects both autonomously and collaboratively. 
• Significant project and program management experience.
• High creativity with superior verbal and written communication skills, problem solving, decision making and analytical abilities.
• Strong PowerPoint and presentation skills.
• Willingness to travel <30-35% of the time.

When you join Verizon...

You’ll be doing work that matters alongside other talented people, transforming the way people, businesses and things connect with each other. Beyond powering America’s fastest and most reliable network, we’re leading the way in broadband, cloud and security solutions, Internet of Things and innovating in areas such as, video entertainment. Of course, we will offer you great pay and benefits, but we’re about more than that. Verizon is a place where you can craft your own path to greatness. Whether you think in code, words, pictures or numbers, find your future at Verizon.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

We're proud to be an equal opportunity employer- and celebrate our employees' differences, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or Veteran status. Different makes us better.