Public Relations Specialist

Team SASSO is seeking a Public Relations Specialist who is passionate about delivering and capitalizing on brand stories to drive earned media for our agency and our clients. The ideal candidate for this role will be an important contributor to the success of our agency. The Public Relations Specialist will drive our Public Relations department by fostering and facilitating PR efforts as well as collaborating and working with all departments to accomplish our goals and the goals of our clients.

The Public Relations Specialist is responsible for ensuring all client communication needs are met. The PR Specialist will work with key departments of our team as needed to ensure we are delivering press needs for our clients and maximizing their exposure. This role requires the ability to constantly solve client challenges, work with an array of team members, and communicate with media and other stakeholders to drive projects to completion. We believe in the solid foundation of the traditional approach of PR, but we also believe in building from that foundation and always looking ahead to find ways to disrupt the marketplace. The ideal candidate is expected to be very skilled in written and verbal communication and a master of shaping public perception. Your daily tasks will be filled with communications plans, strategic writing (creative and factual), press releases, press communications, media pitches, creating media lists, building media relationships, outreach, social messaging, maintaining corporate image, events, activations, research, reporting, and more.

As part of a full-service marketing agency, the Public Relations Specialist is expected to work collaboratively in a group setting as well as individually to meet deadlines and produce work that is on-point with our goals and objectives.

SASSO promotes an environment where all of our employees are continually learning and staying up-to-date on the latest marketing trends and techniques in order to provide the best work for our clients. Attention to detail, exceptional organizational skills, exceptional communication skills (both verbal and written), and timeliness are extremely important to excel in this position. Driving publicity and coverage for both SASSO’s clients and the agency itself are paramount to the role.

Employment includes:

·       Competitive pay

·       Flexible schedule

·       Remote-friendly office

·       Continuing education

·       Team-building events

·       Annual retreat (when applicable)

·       Casual dress code

·       Room for growth within the agency services

·       Amazing work environment

Requirements:

• 2+ years of Public Relations experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications, Public Relations, Business Administration, or Marketing preferred
• Agency experience preferred
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Significant experience building and maintaining media relationships
• Experience acting as a company spokesperson
• Social media experience including Facebook, Twitter, and blogs
• Understands public engagement and its implementation
• Experience with tools and services such as Cision, Meltwater, wire distribution services, and other relevant PR platforms
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office Products (Word, Excel, etc.)
• Experience with office tools such as Workamajig (CRM), Harvest, Dropbox, Google Docs, Slack, and others a plus
• Proficient use of Adobe Suite Products such as InDesign preferred
• Event planning experience a plus
• Commitment to working in a team-based environment
• A proactive attitude; willingness to learn and take initiative
• The ability to work under pressure and tight timelines and assimilate large quantities of information quickly, while maintaining attention to detail, drive, and flexibility
• Resilience to enable you to deal with problems and constructive criticism
• A persuasive, confident, and knowledgeable approach to all work communicated
• Technologically savvy and up to date in all of the latest trends in your area of expertise
• Ability to travel, if/when necessary (although very minimal if at all)

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES (Main Responsibilities):

• Develop and execute all public relations efforts of the agency for all client brands and the SASSO brand
• Initiate and lead the development and presentation of PR plans for clients
• Develop and execute strategic media relations plans, seeking high-level placements in print, broadcast, and online media
• Collaborate with internal team members and external partners to drive all public relations efforts
• Manage media inquiries and interview requests
• Demonstrate understanding of and implement public engagement
• Develop and implement an Editorial Content Calendar to drive earned media
• Create content for press releases, byline articles, and keynote presentations
• Pitch and write press releases, stories, and other press materials with enticing angles for coverage
• Develop and integrate communications principles and strategies 
• Become well-versed in multiple client industries and target sectors
• Maintain a keen understanding of industry trends affecting clients and make appropriate recommendations regarding communication strategy surrounding them
• Develop and execute Thought Leadership strategies to generate coverage in the intended industries
• Build relationships with thought leaders to grow industry awareness
• Fully develop corporate communications and internal communications plans
• Develop client interaction skills with media
• Develop crisis communications plans and management
• Leverage existing media relationships and cultivate new contacts within business and industry media
• Manage media relations by identifying and working with target media and demonstrating a network of traditional and online media contacts and influencers  
• Implement and refine traditional and online research techniques 
• Give direction for team to engage audiences across traditional and new media
• Brainstorm, develop, manage, implement, and maintain events and public activations related to campaign efforts and client goals
• Monitor, analyze, and communicate PR results on an ongoing basis
• Evaluate opportunities for partnerships, sponsorships, and advertising on an ongoing basis
• Demonstrate a deep knowledge of integrated communications principles and strategies 
• Demonstrate understanding of key client information and research including business strategy, industry issues, products and services, audience targets and competitors 
• Demonstrate understanding of how to apply basic social media tools to client objectives, taking into account how the PR messaging should be utilized on social media through the agency social media team
• Edit and proofread written materials for quality and adherence to appropriate writing style 
• Copywriting of additional agency needs on an as-needed basis
• Participate and assist in program brainstorming, development, and planning 
• Participate in new business processes and pitches as needed 
• Stay up to date with emerging technologies and trends and demonstrate understanding of how they integrate into communications programs 
• Record and submit time, expenses, and POs to the right project codes on a timely basis

Expectations:

• Take ownership of agency public relations efforts and public image.
• Build and nurture a strong industry network of media contacts.
• Maintain a full understanding of the media landscape for clients across various industries.
• Craft and guide an outreach strategy to support client objectives.
• Perform tasks and create press content quickly without sacrificing quality.
• Strategically consider feedback and edit content as needed to comply with requests from clients and leadership.
• Be a source for creative thinking as well as analytical thinking to develop press content, assess performance, and adjust as needed to improve.
• The role requires flexibility and ability to navigate ambiguity and deadlines under pressure and conflicting requests.
• Be solutions driven and forward-thinking