Director of Strategic Communications

Reporting to the Vice President of Marketing, Communications & Brand Strategy, the Director of Strategic Communications is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive communications strategy that raises the visibility of Twin Cities PBS (TPT) and its mission. This includes developing communications collateral including press releases, speeches, corporate materials, videos, social media posts, and web content; advising senior executives on reputation and brand management; and serving as organizational press contact. The successful candidate will be deadline-oriented, experienced in issues management, a collaborative leader, and a skilled copywriter and storyteller.

CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS (35% of time)

• Develop and implement a multiplatform communications strategy that builds and maintains a positive organizational brand, including the creation of high-quality digital, video, audio, and print content (e.g. press releases, publications, videos, collateral, newsletters, social media content, and reports). 
• Develop brand voice and maintain brand integrity and cohesion across all platforms. 
• Oversee corporate communications and branding in various online and print channels such as LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, TPT website, TPT newsletters, and industry outlets. 
• Develop communications and associated materials for diverse external stakeholders including community partners, government officials, funders, members, donors, and audiences. 

PR & MEDIA RELATIONS (25% of time)

• Manage media relations and develop contacts with media members, influencers, and community leaders. 
• Act as corporate spokesperson and respond to members of the media in a timely manner. 
• Compose and distribute press releases. 
• Collaborate with Marketing and Content teams on press kits. 
• Ensure TPT staff and leadership undergo media training and are prepped for media appearances.

COMMUNICATIONS LEADERSHIP (35% of time)

• Research current benchmark trends and audience preferences to determine the most appropriate mix of media to promote and present content to audiences. 
• Work closely with the TPT leadership team to ensure internal and external communications are understood and aligned across the organization. 
• Lead, develop, and maintain communications tools and processes for TPT. 
• Track engagement across various platforms and advance data-driven decisions. 
• Assist senior leadership in developing presentations, speeches, and other important corporate messages. 
• Provide consistent and timely information to employees through various communications programs. 
• Work to build employee engagement with TPT programming and brand priorities via internal communications. 
• Collaborate with other Department Leaders including Marketing, Creative Services, Events, and Content to develop fully integrated marketing and communications strategies. 
• Develop, implement, and adhere to the communications budget. 
• Oversee the hiring, evaluation, overall management, and training of a direct report. 
• Lead, mentor, inspire, guide, and develop other team members throughout their TPT careers.

Other duties as assigned (5% of time)

• Participate as an active member of the TPT MarComm Team. 
• Contribute to shared goals and collaborate with colleagues on achievement of priorities. 
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in communication, journalism, public relations, or a related field. 
• 8+ years of progressively responsible communications leadership. 
• Demonstrated experience in PR and media relations. 
• Demonstrated knowledge and proficiency with communications technologies, all social media platforms, and digital content. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word); graphic design software a plus. 
• Proven experience effectively counselling senior-level executives and other business partners and activating a communications strategy with C-Suite executives. 
• Experience managing and leading other team members.

Preferred Experience:

• Advanced degree in communication, journalism, public relations, or a related field.
• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere Pro). 
• On-camera experience with broadcast, social, or digital content.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Storyteller with exceptional copywriting, editing and proofreading skills, including understanding and effectively translating complex subject matter into simple messages. 
• Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver innovative, multiplatform communications
• strategies, plans, and tactics with measurable outcomes. 
• Excellent verbal communication and presentation skills. 
• Ability to coordinate efforts of various teams to present a coherent message. 
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to remain organized and manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and limited resources. 
• Ability to work in a fast-paced team environment and collaborate to achieve goals. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills. 
• Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships across a variety of functions and with all levels of management and staff. 
• Strong attention to detail. 
• Knowledge of AP and Chicago style writing. 
• Commitment to advancing Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) priorities within the organization. 
• Culturally adaptive with empathy, experience, knowledge, and ability to work with diverse communities. 
• Ability to work outside of regular office hours, when required. 
• Ability to travel to locations in the greater metro area on a frequent basis. Occasional travel out of the state.

Salary: $105k - $115K Annually (depending on qualifications)

Hybrid Work Environment: Candidates must live in or be willing to relocate to the Twin Cities Metro area.