Public Relations Coordinator

Reporting To: Director, Marketing & Communications

Department: Donor & Volunteer Experiences

FLSA: Exempt

Core Values: Passion Dive in – Create enthusiasm and inspire others.

Authentic Be Real – Keep it honest and set the example.

Collaboration Live United – Work together and mobilize for change.

Empowerment Own it – Be courageous and make it happen.

Overall Purpose of this Role: To coordinate public relations initiatives for HFUW brand, initiatives, programs and partnerships. As part of this position, a primary strategic goal would be to raise the local and national profile of HFUW, and connect HFUW’s audiences to our mission, taking them from awareness to understanding. This position will collaborate across departments to support the research, planning, implementation and evaluation of public relations campaigns, including but not limited to media relations, promotional opportunities, sponsorships, etc. This role will act as primary media liaison, support interview coordination and develop all media materials including but not limited to press releases, media alerts, talking points, fact sheets, op-eds, byline columns, etc. This role will be involved with supporting execution of the communications strategy, brand storytelling and delivering experiences to uphold the United Way brand.

Key Accountabilities

General

• Serve as primary resource for public relations and media relations to support an integrated marketing strategy across a variety of platforms for key audience segments.
• Coordinate all aspects of public relations campaigns working across departmentally with internal/external “clients.”
• Act as project coordinator to deliver projects to completion by assigned deadline.
• Stay current with United Way brand standards in all messaging and establish brand consistency across all media.
• Maintain relationships with editorial and advertising contacts.
• Manage pro-bono media advertising relationships and strategy.
• Assist in monitoring, analyzing, and communicating results on regular basis.
• Participate in brainstorming and planning sessions.
• Conduct research to support communications planning.
• Assist with the execution of HFUW’s overall integrated marketing strategy including but not limited to supporting events, social media initiatives, graphic design, research/information gathering, project management, writing, etc.
• Contribute to the overall organizational success by performing other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
• Remain knowledgeable regarding industry trends, best practices and techniques.
• Possess a proactive mentality to take initiative on projects and identify additional opportunities.

Media Relations

• Under direct leadership of the Director of Marketing and Communications, this role will serve as the primary media liaison for HFUW.
• Develop timely and relevant storylines to pitch proactively to media.
• Build and maintain HFUW media list.
• Respond promptly to media inquiries and facilitate information gathering or interview coordination.
• Coordinate all media opportunity logistics including scheduling, location logistics, interviewee prep, on-site support, post-interview follow-ups.
• Conduct necessary follow-ups to pitches and media opportunities.
• Develop all media materials including but not limited to press releases, media alerts, talking points, fact sheets, op-eds, byline columns, etc. using AP style guidelines.
• Support crisis communications as needed.

Brand Promotion

• Proactively monitor and submit for speaking engagements, nominations and other visibility opportunities
• Manage external sponsorship opportunities for HFUW.

Writing

• Contribute to written content development for HFUW. This includes but is not limited to marketing copy, script writing, blog writing, social media content, email copy, special features, talking points, internal communications, etc.
• Support story-telling and message development for HFUW.
• Assist in identifying and interviewing clients, volunteers, donors and other key stakeholders for profiles/features
• Contribute to regular/timely content for e-newsletters, blog, website, etc.

Education And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, journalism, communications, marketing or other related field. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
• Minimum of three years of related work experience, with a majority of experience in public relations.
• Exhibit excellence in media relations and PR writing
• Proficient in AP Style
• Excellent verbal and written communication required.
• Must have experience in developing messaging to support brand storytelling.
• Must have understanding of integrated marketing, social media engagement, content development and strategy for a variety of social media platforms including but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.
• Must be self-motivated; possess excellent planning and organizational skills in meeting deadlines, and able to work with a minimum of supervision
• Exhibit strong communication, collaboration and customer service mentality to be able to interact with a variety of stakeholders, both internally and externally.
• Possess a proactive mentality to take initiative on projects, manage multiple deadlines and identify opportunities for efficiency.
• Previous work in the Orlando media market preferable.

Physical Demands

Physical demands include sitting or standing for extended periods of time, bending, occasional lifting of items weighing up to approximately 25 pounds, regularly moving throughout the building between floors, traveling to outside meetings, regular use of standard office equipment such as the telephone, copier, fax and computer. Demands also involve protracted concentration. Reliable transportation is required. Job involves frequent interactions with internal and external customers, and routinely intense public contact.