DIVISION: Marketing
REPORTS TO: Marketing Communications Director
EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-time exempt
Note: Please email three writing samples to employment@connerprairie.org or mail to attention of Human Resources, Conner Prairie Museum, 13400 Allisonville Rd., Fishers, IN 46038.
POSITION PURPOSE: To be an integral part of the marketing team leadership that communicates Conner Prairie’s brand and reputation for excellence to multiple audiences by providing strategic public relations and media relations plans as well as implementation. The Public Relations Manager serves as the chief institutional writer and uses public relation and social media strategies to increase awareness and visibility of Conner Prairie and its offerings to ensure Conner Prairie’s local and national reputation as a community, education and cultural leader is well recognized.
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBLITIIES:
STRATEGIES AND PLANNING
- Develop, oversee and implement public relations strategies that include: defined benchmark goals; measured and analyzed results and applied results tactics for continual improvement. Plans must be in collaboration with overall marketing communication strategies and goals to further Conner Prairie’s reputation and mission
- Develop and oversee a strategic social media plan with defined benchmark goals measured and analyzed results and applied result tactics for continual improvement
- Develop and implement strategies that positions Conner Prairie as a local “top tier” institution and amplifies its national stature as an industry leader
- Serve as the chief institutional writer
- Utilize public relations efforts to enhance Conner Prairie’s reputation and build enthusiasm for Conner Prairie’s dynamic long range plan
- Lead PR program execution of local, regional and national media efforts
- Develop and maintain and deploy consistent and effective messages to raise reputation with general public and potential funders of Conner Prairie
- Manage the community awareness building effort for the President/CEO
- Track and report PR results
- Plan, implement and manage the annual pr and social media budget
- Lead strategy, planning and implementation of Junior Conner Prairie Board of Directors with guidance from President/CEO
PUBLIC RELATIONS
- Manage day-to-day public relations activities and lead media outreach and engagement
- Research, write and edit communications for press releases, media alerts, media kit materials, etc.
- Develop and implement public relation tactics beyond a press release such as grassroots initiatives including mobile marketing and promotions in addition to online web tactics like blogging, leveraging on line travel writers etc.
- Create and implement strategy to help raise President/CEO profile in community
- Develop relationships with key media to proactively promote Conner Prairie
- Develop, plan and manage on-sight media events including press announcements; special events, etc.
- Seek opportunities for publicity locally, regionally and nationally
- Pitch stories and distribute materials to specific media, niche audiences, industry publications, etc.
- Serve as museum spokesperson and represent museum on television, radio and in print
- Provide media training and communications counsel to staff as needed
- Oversee crisis communication planning and implementation
- Develop and maintain media lists
- Establish staff as experts in the field, arranging interviews and other forms of contact
- Generate story ideas and ready-to-run articles for the media
- Update website press room
- Coordinate interviews with staff/board
- Coordinate film/photo shoots for media and other outside film/photo shoot requests
- Develop relationships with staff, board members and other museum stakeholders
- Write and/or edit selected communications for donors and museum president to enhance Conner Prairie’s reputation
SOCIAL MEDIA
- Oversee the implementation, tracking and analysis of the social media plan
- Oversee the research and education to staff of best practices in the social media area
TEAM MANAGEMENT
- Lead, coach and mentor Communications Assistant in the development and execution of all public relations, social media and marketing activities
- Work collaboratively with Marketing Manager and Festival and Special Events Manager to effectively and efficiently manage marketing needs
- Serve as team liaison with other departments
ADDITIONAL
- Act as Conner Prairie liaison with local Chamber of Commerce groups
- Provide staff support during festival and special events
- Adapt to media needs regarding time frames and locations for media opportunities (early morning or late evening, off-site, varying weather conditions, etc.)
- Other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
- Bachelors degree in public relations, communications, marketing, journalism or related field
- Have a minimum of three years related professional experience with a track record of successful PR achievements
- Experience pitching print and broadcast news media
- Familiarity with online news outlets, social networks and other e-technology
- Strong local media contacts
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills used effectively with multiple audiences
- High degree of deadline-driven productivity, commitment, adaptability, initiative and follow-through
- Ability to multi-task and prioritize projects, solve problems and manage complexity and change while working both independently and as a team member
- Passion and excitement for innovation and exploration of new opportunities for making an impact
- Demonstrated understanding of measurement and analysis of results including statistical analysis
- Experience with Vocus pr software preferred
- Experience managing, coaching and mentoring team members (direct report: Communications Assistant)
- The desire to learn and apply new technology, and the and excitement for exploring new opportunities for making an impact
- Able to work occasional nights, weekends and off-site as required
WORKING ENVIRONMENT
- Office with fluorescent lighting
- Minimal noise with occasional interruptions
- Expected to walk on uneven pathways on outdoor grounds
- Ability to move 25 pounds
- Expected to work some early mornings, weekends and evenings
