PR Manager, Central & Canada

The PR Manager, Central Region and Canada, will work with stakeholders in the region to further position Cushman & Wakefield as the global authority in the built environment. This individual will lead the development and execution of regional external communications and public relations efforts to promote and protect the Cushman & Wakefield brand by leveraging business partners and key media relationships. Responsibilities include creating paid and earned media strategies and measuring impact, in addition to fielding in-bound media requests, coordinating interviews and proactively pitching regional news, spokespeople, data and thought leadership to trade and local publications. The PR Manager will serve as the main point of contact for media relations in the Central Region and Canada, collaborating closely with the broader Americas PR team and other cross-functional groups and stakeholders across the firm to support these initiatives. This role will also be expected to assist in managing crisis and issues communications on both the local and corporate levels. Based in Chicago, the PR Manager, Central Region and Canada, serves markets including Chicago, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Cincinnati, Columbus, St. Louis, Kansas City, Detroit, Indianapolis, Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, and Vancouver.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the Americas PR team, regional leadership, brokers, local research and marketing teams and other stakeholders to align PR strategies with business objectives and priorities.
• Develop and execute regional content strategies to boost brand awareness through a mix of localized and strategic content, award nominations, speaking opportunities and other external channels.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for media inquiries in the Central Region and Canada, pitching, fielding, scheduling and managing interviews and providing materials to support spokespeople.
• Lead the development and execution of proactive media relations campaigns, identifying earned and paid opportunities to position the firm and its leaders as authoritative voices in the commercial real estate sector.
• Partner with local subject matter experts and thought leaders to create and promote content, including earned and paid media, press releases and thought leadership to ensure brand consistency across all communication channels.
• Publicize the firm’s key transactions, research insights, personnel updates, major wins and market trends to generate media coverage.
• Provide strategic counsel to senior executives and spokespeople around media opportunities, press strategies, speaking opportunities and other external communications.
• Build, foster and maintain relationships with key media contacts, including reporters and editors from trade, local and regional publications.
• Assist in managing issues and crisis communications as needed.
• Proactively conduct regular story-mining calls with thought leaders, brokers and research teams to identify opportunities for media pitches and content development. Regularly coordinate with research leads on market data and insights to bolster PR narratives and integrate authoritative analysis into public communications.
• Prepare spokespeople for media engagements by providing talking points, context and ongoing media training that aligns with brand standards and messaging guidelines. Lead on-site support for key events and speaking opportunities where media presence is anticipated.
• Actively monitor media hits, track award submissions and compile press coverage to share valuable insights and demonstrate PR success to leadership.
• Provide quarterly reports on PR accomplishments for leadership, detailing the effectiveness of campaigns and identifying opportunities for enhanced visibility and influence.

Qualifications:

• 7+ experience in public relations, including work in a PR agency or corporate environment. Commercial real estate experience preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, marketing, journalism or a related field.
• Proven experience in managing and executing large-scale external communication programs, with a strong grasp of key PR and media relations principles.
• Exceptional writing, editing and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill complex concepts into relatable, clear messages.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented and deadline-driven, with the capability to juggle multiple projects and priorities seamlessly.
• Strong business acumen and interpersonal skills, necessary for managing relationships with leadership, media and colleagues.
• Demonstrated success in media relations, thought leadership campaigns and crisis communication strategies.
• This role is ideal for a dynamic PR professional who combines strategic oversight and hands-on execution capabilities, ensuring Cushman & Wakefield continues to lead as a trusted authority in the commercial real estate sector and built environment throughout the Central Region and Canada.