Public Relations Specialist jobs in Oakland, CA

Description

Position Summary: The Public Relations Manager of Joybound People & Pets is responsible for fostering goodwill among existing and new audiences, creatively promoting the organization’s vision, mission, programs, leadership, and expertise, and cultivating a culture of storytelling within the organization. Reporting to the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications, the PR Manager will play an essential role in advancing organizational goals and strengthening the Joybound brand on a national scale primarily by strategically engaging with news (earned) and social media.

Key Responsibilities:

1. PR Strategy and Planning:

• In close collaboration with the marcom director and other communication channel leads (digital content, fundraising communications, corporate partnerships, and publications), the PR manager will develop and implement a public relations strategy including program plans and campaigns that is part of an overall integrated marketing and communications program that ensures consistency, brand value, and maximum engagement with and positive experience of Joybound’s key audiences.
• Collaborate with internal experts and program directors to identify PR needs and opportunities with target audiences in mind.
• Develop research-based PR strategies and tactics to expand Joybound’s reputation and reach on a national level and in new markets while expanding our positive reputation locally and regionally.
• Develop and manage public awareness campaigns, including fundraising drives, adoption events, and other programs. Measure and analyze the impact of campaigns using key performance indicators (KPIs).

2. Story Development and Story Library Management:

• Build and maintain a robust digital library for all the incredible stories about Joybound’s work and positive impact to be shared widely across all our channels.
• Collaborate with program directors and front-line staff to capture compelling stories on an ongoing basis utilizing existing processes and touch points as much as possible.
• Develop powerful, excellently written stories about all the animals and people whose lives Joybound makes better.
• With the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications’ guidance and partnership, cultivate a culture of storytelling among staff, volunteers, and supporters so that everyone in the organization is primed to look for the life-changing Joybound stories that they are a part of every day.

3. Media Relations:

• Strategically and skillfully research and cultivate relationships with local, national, and niche journalists and news outlets to secure media placements that advance Joybound’s brand, leadership position, and organizational goals.
• Stay up to date on news, trends, and pop culture to find creative opportunities to promote Joybound’s leaders, experts, and stories in order to reach new and broader audiences.
• Research opportunities, write and place contributed content on Joybound’s behalf.
• Write and distribute pitches, press releases, media advisories, and other content to secure media coverage.
• Act as the primary media contact for the organization and coordinate interviews and media appearances for ARF’s leadership team and brand ambassadors.
• Prepare media spokespeople for interviews through briefing documents, trainings, and practice sessions.
• Plan and execute press conferences and other media-focused events and outreach activities to promote the organization's initiatives and campaigns.
• Secure features and listings in local publications about adoptable animals.
• Respond to incoming media inquiries to maximize positive opportunities and minimize any potential risks to the organization’s reputation.

4. Social Media:

• Identify and engage with influencers, supporters, and partners on Joybound’s social media channels.
• Partner with the content marketing manager to maintain and grow Joybound’s social media following through compelling multi-media content that the content marketing manager creates and directs.
• Cultivate a sense of community within Joybound’s social media channels to increase engagement. Respond to legitimate comments with concern and a solutions mindset and monitor channels for trolls or other potentially damaging activity.

5. Brand Ambassador Engagement:

• In collaboration with the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications,
• Identify and cultivate relationships with influencers, supporters, and partners who can promote the organization's work and foster ongoing support.
• Develop resources, tools, and trainings to support and build capacity among ambassadors.

6. Reporting and Analytics:

• Track and analyze media coverage and social media metrics to assess the effectiveness of Joybound’s PR efforts in advancing organizational priorities and goals.
• Generate reports to demonstrate the positive impact of PR initiatives, as part of Joybound’s overall marketing and communications program to the organization's leadership.

7. Leadership:

• Lead cross-team projects and initiatives. Ensure that colleagues who are providing content (writing articles, taking photos, providing data) meet deadlines and the project stays on schedule.
• Lead by action and example to advance a culture of positivity, professionalism, trust, transparency, empathy, and excellence at Joybound.
• Manage interns, PR firms, consultants, designers, photographers, etc., as needed.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

Pre-employment background check screening required.

Physical/Environmental Requirements:

Work environment includes constant exposure to animals and animal allergens.

Push/pull/lift 25 pounds and do physical work relative to setting up and breaking down event sites (packing/shipping supplies for off-site events, loading/unloading trucks, moving tables & chairs, etc.). Kneel, bend, stoop, squat, reach above and below shoulder level, grasp and turn objects, stand, and/or walk frequently and repetitively before, during, and after events. Flex the neck upward and downward; twist the neck and the waist. Sit for long periods of time while using a computer.

Hours:

Exempt positions require a minimum of 40 hours per week. Daily reporting hours and days of the week may vary. The position may require occasional weekend, holiday, and evening work, as well as occasional travel via car and plane.