Public Relations Manager

Portland, OR, United States

Oregon Community Foundation

Public Relations Manager

Location: Portland, Oregon

Application Deadline: 7/17/2024

Background:

Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) was founded in 1973 with a big mission: to improve the lives of all Oregonians through the power of philanthropy. In partnership with donors and volunteers, OCF works to strengthen communities in every county in Oregon through research, grantmaking and scholarships. OCF is one of the largest community foundations in the country with over $3 billion in assets under management. In 2023, OCF distributed more than $200 million in grants and scholarships.

OCF is an Equal Opportunity Employer with five offices throughout Oregon in Bend, Eugene, Medford, Portland and Salem. Come join our team. To learn more, please visit: oregoncf.org.

Primary Purpose:

The Public Relations Manager is responsible for developing and implementing OCF’s earned, new and social media strategy in a way that builds upon the organization’s strong reputation and brand through strategic communications and media-focused campaigns. The ideal candidate is a natural storyteller with, 1) the ability to execute scalable communications strategies that drive impact; 2) flexibility to proactively navigate an ever-changing media landscape; 3) versatility and fluidity with new media creation and integration, and; 4) relationship building and mentoring skills to support staff and volunteers in sharing OCF’s story. This position will be responsible for the creation of media releases; collaboration with internal stakeholders on content creation across different mediums (social, digital, owned and earned media channels); help manage responses to ‘crisis’ situations. Candidates should have a proven track record of securing high-quality media placements and relationships with journalists and key influencers (including social media influencers) who can spread the word about OCFs work.

The Marketing and Communications Team works primarily in person in the OCF Portland office. Remote/virtual flexibility is available, depending on organizational and team needs. To effectively meet the objectives of this position, the Public Relations Manager will be required to work primarily in person.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Media Relations - Percentage of Time: 50%

Work closely with the Director of Communications, internal stakeholders and external agency partners to craft OCF’s brand story and messaging in a way that resonates with target audiences

Build, further develop and leverage relationships with relevant local, statewide, national and trade media to evangelize the OCF brand, mission and strategic priorities

Deepen relationships with diverse, culturally-specific, emerging and community-based media outlets

Cultivate relationships with influential print, digital and broadcast journalists or thought leaders within the philanthropy sector

Work with internal stakeholders to deliver compelling stories around OCF announcements and initiatives that resonate with audiences, editors and journalists at different media publications and align with market/philanthropy trends and organizational narratives

Collaborate with the Director of Communications and content team(s) to develop OCF’s thought leadership strategy, creating a media training program to prepare our spokespeople as well as by-lines, presentations, speeches and talking points that represent OCF’s voice, incorporate OCF messages, and resonate with key audiences

Monitor campaign progress, metrics (and measurement tools) to demonstrate efficacy of message and reach, and make recommendations for areas of optimization

Respond quickly, nimbly and proactively to news opportunities where OCF can illustrate some leadership

As needed, serve as an organizational spokesperson when communicating with the media and arrange for other OCF staff to respond to media requests

Manage the work and deliverables of external PR agency partners

Story Creation | New Media | Social Channel Strategy - Percentage of Time: 40%

In collaboration with Communications team members, Design social engagement strategies to expand awareness, understanding and followers for OCF’s work

Deepen engagement and participation across all OCF stakeholders and statewide communities

Align social strategy to marketing, communications and research planning

Collaborate with Production Coordinator on creation and dissemination of social campaigns, aligned to larger marketing and communications goals

Develop multidimensional traditional media strategy and outreach with new media/social media approaches for an expansive, fluid stakeholder experience

Analyze performance data to determine how social posts and content are growing – and make recommendations for improvement

Work with team to ensure brand consistency for consistent tone and voice throughout all media copy

Internal Communications - Percentage of Time: 10%

Oversee needed PR infrastructure to support organization-wide efforts in storytelling related to strategic priorities

Support internal communication strategies such as all staff emails and Intranet posts and announcements

As needed, provide support to volunteers, Leadership Council members, OCF Board and staff in their ability to represent OCF

Serve as an internal resource support, with guidance from Director of Communications, for OCF staff needing talking points, media training and storytelling counsel

Support regional staff seeking local news story outreach/story development/reporter relationship management

Marginal or Non-Essential Job Duties: Additional contributions, where needed, for team activities and events that require full marketing and communications presence.

Required Cultural Values: In addition to the specific job requirements for each position, staff are expected to embody certain cultural values to support OCF’s mission: communicate effectively, value one another, demonstrate accountability, embrace possibilities, address conflict, and take action.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and qualifications for the role.

Required Experience and Education: 6-8 years working as a journalist, in PR, marketing or related field

Experience designing and managing press events

Experience with and knowledge of culturally-specific media outlets

Bachelor’s Degree or a comparable level of experience/education in lieu of a degree

Required Professional Competencies: Confident communicator and presenter

Excellent verbal and written communication skills (submit writing samples)

Excellent organizational and planning skills

Full understanding of media needs and media relationships and how to pitch stories

Proactive, reliable, responsible and accurate with an attention to detail

Ability to work on big strategy plans as well as day-to-day tasks

Ability to keep information confidential

Tactical understanding of all primary social media platforms

Ability to work in high-stress environments, often for long hours

A wide degree of creativity and strategic thinking to secure media coverage and ‘buzz’ with traditional outlets

Ability to run PR campaigns that deliver measurable results and meet objectives

Self-motivated with a positive and professional approach to management

Cultural agility skills necessary to work effectively with diverse groups of individuals and communities

Relationships and understanding of culturally-specific media outlets and communities

Requires valid driver’s license and personal vehicle for regular use to effectively perform job duties.

Knowledge of MS Windows, Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and database experience

Physical Demands and Working Conditions: This job is typically performed under very comfortable working conditions; any disagreeable elements are generally absent during normal performance of the job. Job duties are performed in an office setting or indoor meeting rooms. Typical office conditions include standing, sitting, walking, presenting in person, light lifting of materials and equipment, bending, repetitive keyboarding repetitive use of computer monitor, driving, etc. Ability to deliver verbal training to internal audiences.

Requires lifting and driving. Less than 1 pound – Effort applied 40-70% of the time

Between 1 and 5 pounds – Effort applied 15-40% of the time

Between 5 and 60 pounds – Effort applied less than 15% of time.

The effort reflected above is typically applied when sitting, standing, bending, or walking.

Travel - Percentage of Time: 3% Ability to travel occasionally in Oregon, regional offices, and to conferences outside Oregon.

Safety: Support a safe work environment by performing work duties safely and according to procedures. This includes reporting all injuries, illnesses, or accidents sustained while working to your immediate supervisor as soon as possible after the occurrence or within 24 hours of the injury, illness, or accident, and reporting any accident involving OCF vehicles, equipment, or other property, regardless of the nature of the accident, to your immediate supervisor as soon as possible after the accident.

Attendance Requirements: Regular punctuality and attendance is required. Work hours outside of normal business hours are performed as needed.

Compensation and Benefits: This is a regular, exempt, full-time position. The hiring range for this position is $85,000 to $100,000, DOE. Salary offers are determined in conjunction with an internal pay equity assessment.

Our excellent benefit package includes generous paid time off, choice of medical and dental coverage, vision, outstanding 401k retirement plan, commuter and healthcare pre-tax savings accounts, employer-paid disability and life. Employees have access to an Employee Assistance Plan, paid volunteer leave, professional development opportunities, and much more!

To Apply: The Oregon Community Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We strive to build a diverse workforce to promote effective work in partnership with all communities and population groups in Oregon. We welcome a diverse pool of qualified applicants.

To be considered for this position, please provide a cover letter addressing how you meet the requirements of this position and a copy of your most recent resume. Apply online at https://oregoncf.org/about/careers/