Public Relations Manager

HGA seeks a thoughtful, experienced communications professional prepared to drive a national public relations program. Working across our 11 offices, the Public Relations Manager will gather and prioritize stories, identify opportunities, and build compelling content and campaigns that garner placements in targeted print and digital publication. The right candidate will leverage her/his/their understanding of our industry and markets, expertise, and relationships to make a positive, measurable impact.

The Public Relations Manager reports to the Director of Communications. Although the position currently has no direct reports, this role works with and guides marketing staff in each office to direct and implement local media relations efforts as well as manage agencies and consultants. 

Responsibilities:

• Guided by the firmwide communications strategy, builds, manages, and executes HGA’s national media relations program 
• Manages and performs proactive and reactive publicity
• Crafts, pitches, and places meaningful and impactful stories through the appropriate print and digital channels Manages and responds to media inquiries and requests
• Gathers stories and content for media plans, press releases, and byline articles 
• Helps structure and build a coordinated, national approach to media relations, leveraging staff, agencies, and consultants as needed
• Works closely with communications/marketing team members to amplify placements and content through our website and social media channels
• Tracks industry/market trends and makes appropriate recommendations to address them through content generation and media placement
• Maintains and builds relationships with media, industry experts, and influencers, and guides our messaging to resonate with these different audiences
• Builds relationships with internal thought leaders to stay on top of our industry and markets
• Monitors, analyzes, and communicates results
• Provides guidance, counsel on media relations and crisis communications as needed
• Contributes to internal story-sharing and of the impact of public/media relations

Knowledge, Skills:

• A solid understanding of the earned and paid media landscape, and media planning
• Exceptional writing and editing skills: articulate, accurate, and focused on audience
• Exceptional planning and project management skills 
• Understanding of and experience with both traditional and digital media; knowledge of when to use what and why
• Able to read and interpret analytics to drive decision-making
• Able to think strategically as well as pay attention to the details
• Able to collaborate with internal teams across multiple offices to successfully prioritize and manage complex, fast-moving, and unexpected communications challenges
• Energized by great stories, and the impact of sharing them with the right audiences

• BA/MA degree in marketing/communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field 
• 8+ years of experience in public relations or communications, ideally with experience managing a national or regionally-networked effort 
• Experience in the architecture/engineering/construction industry preferred 
• Experience with both traditional and digital media 
• A range of media contacts and relationships, and a strong portfolio of placements 
• Experience in acting as a company spokesperson; comfortable and skilled speaking with media 
• Experience managing agencies and consultants preferred 
• Available as needed during off hours for rapid response/crisis communications

See our website at www.HGA.com for more information.