Director, Public Relations

Assist Senior Vice President, Communications in the development, execution and management of proactive public relations strategies and implement day-to-day public relations activities for OCC. Interact with senior leadership and business leaders to align communications across the company. Responsible for managing one direct report.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work with SVP, Communications to develop, execute and manage proactive public relations strategies. 
• Help build and strengthen OCC brand awareness by establishing and developing relationships with top tier media platforms and through speaking opportunities 
• Respond to media inquiries as appropriate with proper guidance from SVP or other senior leaders 
• Work with Office of the CEO and other executive leadership on content development and media interview opportunities as needed 
• Help build and strengthen brand recognition of The Options Industry Council and its educational offerings through PR support of retail, financial advisor and institutional campaigns and related research 
• Serve as PR liaison to OIC Roundtable and other OIC advisory groups 
• Manage process for writing and distributing press releases and conduct follow-up with media 
• Manage monthly update process and review of OCC talking points 
• Contribute to key messages for press interviews, identify appropriate spokespersons, coordinate interviews, and follow up to secure positive OCC media placements 
• Identify and pursue national print and broadcast media opportunities, and speaking opportunities, via top-tier media editorial calendars in consultation with SVP, Communications and OCC’s outside PR firm 
• Monitor news coverage of OCC and produce daily and quarterly summary reports for internal distribution 
• Supervise work completed by outside vendors, such as press release distribution, as required 
• Support certain corporate communication activities as assigned, such as writing employee newsletter, writing content for Compass, and staffing trade show events 
• Serve as Business Interruption Plan coordinator for Communications 
• Some travel may be required – less than 10 percent 
• Perform other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Supervise all work by Public Relations Specialist, including: press release writing and distribution, all content development for OCC and OIC websites and social media platforms including blogs, quarterly media reports, and social media engagement, monitoring and reporting. 
• Supervise public relations projects completed by department intern and outside vendors as needed.

Qualifications:

• Comprehensive understanding of traditional and digital media relations activities including social media 
• Must have experience influencing and working with senior level management 
• Strong decision-making, organizational and follow-up skills 
• Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communications skills, 
• Ability to multi-task and meet tight deadlines 
• Must be comfortable working with internal business contacts as well as media and users of equity options and futures markets 
• Securities industry knowledge preferred

Technical Skills:

• Proficient in word processing and presentation software, Microsoft Word and Power Point preferred 
• Basic spreadsheet skills, Microsoft Excel preferred 
• Ability to use Internet for research activities

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing/Public Relations or in a related discipline OR an equivalent combination of education and private/public sector experience. 
• 8-10 years’ experience in a communications or public relations role in the public or private sector, or with a public relations firm