Senior Media and Public Relations Manager

The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) takes a big and bold approach to achieving greater economic competitiveness and prosperity in Montgomery County, MD. MCEDC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to positioning Maryland's Montgomery County as a prime location for businesses in targeted industries to establish, grow, and thrive. Overseen by a Board of Directors with both public and private sector representation, the organization is committed to fostering an entrepreneurial spirit and taking a proactive approach to economic development.

MCEDC's goals include promoting the county's core strengths: rich diversity, exceptional talent, and a strong business infrastructure to build a stronger, more prosperous local economy and keep Montgomery County at the forefront of today's competitive economic landscape.

The Senior Media and Public Relations Manager serves as a key member of MCEDC's marketing team and plays an integral role in public/media relations, corporate communications, and content creation. The manager works across departments to maximize communications efforts.

Essential Functions/Duties/Tasks include, but are not limited to:

Public Relations/Media Relations

• Build and maintain relationships with journalists and media outlets including industry influencers.
• Identify, create opportunities and pitch stories for media coverage that align with the organization's goals to increase brand awareness, enhance public image and leverage internal stakeholders' industry expertise.
• Create and distribute press materials including media alerts, statements, opinion pieces, news and press releases and talking points to leadership and senior staff.
• Track media coverage, monitor public sentiment and effectiveness of overall PR/media strategy to ensure the organization's objectives are being met through social media and social listening.
• Prepare and present media coverage reports utilizing the organization's social listening tool.
• Develop and maintain crisis communication plans, taking a proactive approach to managing the organization's response to inquiries during crisis.
• Serve as a point of contact for media queries, coordinate responses with VP Marketing and Communications and, when necessary, CEO.

Content Creation

• Develop, and manage MCEDC's bi-weekly newsletter, ensuring target engagement metrics and subscription goals are met.
• Write and edit engaging promotional materials, including internal quarterly and monthly reports, video scripts, radio spot copy, short articles for the website, social media posts and copy for print and digital ads as needed.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to ensure consistent messaging is delivered across all channels.

Social Media

• Create, curate, and orchestrate content across social media channels to engage audiences and maintain an active online presence working with Digital Media Team.
• Monitor social media presence, including crafting posts and engaging with followers.
• Monitor online conversations about the Agency to strategize approach to influence public perception.
• Analyze social media metrics to assess the effectiveness of campaigns and inform future strategies.

Event Coordination

• Proactively plan and manage press briefings and events with media presence.
• Assist the marketing team in the execution of MCEDC events, organizing speaking panels for conferences and trade shows, creating compelling narratives to capture media attention and planning promotional materials.

Networking

• Attend industry events to forge new relationships and keep up with trends.
• Build a network of contacts that can help create opportunities for MCEDC.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Min of 5 years of professional experience in public relations, communications/media relations.
• Proven ability to establish respect and trust with team members and internal clients.
• Proficiency working with social listening tools such as Meltwater, Cision, Agility PR or other.
• Previous experience working with email platforms such as Mailchimp, Pardot, or others.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including actively listening and the ability to present clearly and effectively in both positive and challenging situations.
• Exceptional writing skills, with the ability to craft clear, informative content tailored to target audiences and adapt writing style to meet specific needs.
• Proficient working knowledge of social media platforms and their applications.
• Strong editing skills with keen attention to detail.
• Proven ability to work effectively as part of a team and think critically, strategically and creatively.
• Highly adaptable to changes in the work environment, with the ability to manage competing demands and adjust approaches to meet evolving situations.
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and in fast-paced environments to meet tight deadlines while managing multiple projects autonomously.
• Hold a valid U.S. driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Communications, or related field required.
• Experience working in an entrepreneurial environment, nonprofit setting or organization.
• Familiarity with SEO and digital marketing best practices.
• Comfortable attending local networking events.
• Understanding of data-driven decision-making and reporting.
• Proficiency in working with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Familiarity with standard office equipment.

Description of physical demands and work environment

• Must be able to use office equipment and computers.
• Position may require moderate lifting of supplies and materials from time to time.
• The working environment is a general office environment with a moderate noise level.

EEO Statement

Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender, gender, gender, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Application Process

To apply, please submit your resume, cover letter, and three (3) writing samples.