Senior Public Relations Specialist

Position Description:

A key member of the Marketing and Communication team, the Senior Public Relations Specialist will serve as storyteller and reputation builder for Affinity Plus – leading the planning and execution of its media relations, thought leadership, and content strategy across digital and traditional channels. Additionally, this individual collaborates with integrated marketing staff and cross-functional teams to bring to life communications and marketing strategies for both internal and external audiences.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Partner with the Marketing and Communication Team and leaders throughout the organization to develop a public relations strategic vision, including goals and plans 
• Work with branches to expand awareness and enhance reputation by sharing the Affinity Plus story 
• Build and manage a year-round Public Relations calendar to promote Affinity Plus and support its business goals Write news releases, ensuring copy is positioned correctly and is creative, accurate and leads to appropriate media placements 
• Proactively seek meaningful placements in key print, broadcast and online media 
• Manage media inquiries and interview requests 
• Build and strengthen relationships with key members of the media throughout the state, and within the national financial services trade circuits 
• Provide greater visibility to our community engagement activities, the value we bring and the positive impact we have on local communities 
• Contribute to social media and other digital channels on behalf of Affinity Plus 
• Create measurement plans and reporting for senior leadership, highlighting measurable value 
• Together with the Vice President of Marketing, manage and execute the crisis management plan 
• Help drive content strategy, curation and creation for the organization 
• Lead the creation of thought leadership content 
• Support additional communications and integrated marketing initiatives, as needed 
• Help drive strategic activities for internal audiences

Required Qualifications:

• 7+ years’ experience working in external communications, public relations, or public affairs is required 
• Experience developing and executing external communications, community and organizational visibility communications plans – including key messages, talking points, FAQs and statements 
• Proven track record of developing, pitching to and placing stories in local print, broadcast and online media 
• Experience building relationships with external partners 
• Strong written and verbal skills, including experience writing executive-level communications, talking points, bylined articles, etc. 
• Experience in crisis communications and issues 
• Knowledge of AP Style 
• Ability to work with and interact with multiple executive and business teams 
• Strong project management skills; must be able to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously 
• Computer literacy (Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) 
• Ability to travel occasionally (within the state)

Preferred Qualifications:

• APR certification; PRSA involvement 
• Working knowledge of public relations and social media software, such as Meltwater and Hootsuite 
• Familiarity leveraging CRM and automated marketing tools 
• Experience producing content in visual modalities, such as digital and video 
• Project management experience or certification 
• Experience managing consultants and agencies 
• Agency experience a plus