Public Relations Manager (DHQ/Development)

Overview

Join The Salvation Army of Greater New York as our in-house Public Relations Manager, where you'll be generating compelling media stories highlighting the impact of The Salvation Army’s work across the New York area. You will be crafting impactful content, pitching to media outlets, meeting news crews on-site, and collaborating with our national PR team when necessary.

The Salvation Army is a faith-based organization and the largest provider of social services and second largest provider of disaster relief in the United States. The Greater New York Division covers New York City, Long Island, Westchester, and the Lower Hudson Valley regions. Within Greater New York, The Salvation Army operates 38 community centers, dozens of soup kitchens and food pantries, three homeless shelters, eight homes for developmentally disabled adults, and sleep-away summer camp, among numerous other programs catering to community needs, such as free daycare, after school programming, seniors’ activities, and homeless street-outreach teams.

Working in collaboration with the existing marketing team and reporting to the Divisional Director of Philanthropy, the Public Relations Manager will be joining a large team of fundraising and marketing professionals responsible for external relations across in the region.

This is a hybrid position, with frequent local and regional travel required as well as in-office and at-home workdays.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with media contacts to facilitate effective pitching and coverage.
• Travel to various service locations within Greater New York to identify and develop media-worthy stories.
• Write engaging op-eds, press releases, blog posts, and other PR materials.
• Pitch compelling stories to local media outlets to enhance visibility and awareness of our mission.
• Effectively communicate with local staff and Officers to gather and execute on media opportunities.

• Collaborate closely with the local marketing and fundraising teams as well as colleagues at Territorial and National levels. Collaborate with our national in-house and contracted PR teams to support national media opportunities in New York and provide local assistance.
• Provide training for local staff, volunteers, leadership, and pastors in interview techniques, answering difficult questions, and how to effectively communicate the mission of The Salvation Army.
• Engage with influencers and their teams to appear at local service locations and bring attention to The Salvation Army.

• Work quickly to turn opportunities into executed stories, effectively coordinating all stakeholders and ensuring positive outcomes.
• Remain current on all trainings regarding working with children and other vulnerable populations, including learning and following reporting procedures.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• 3-7 years of experience in public relations, journalism, or media production.
• Proven track record of successful media pitching and securing coverage.
• Existing media contacts and knowledge of Greater New York media landscape required.
• Strong writing skills with the ability to create clear, persuasive content for various platforms.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with internal teams and external contacts.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be available to travel during the week to different community centers.
• Must be tactful and sensitive to complex and difficult situations, such as telling the stories of people who are living on the streets or in Salvation Army shelters, and the street outreach teams and case workers who assist them. 
• Passion for amplifying the voices of our community, including recipients of services, community volunteers, clergy, and social service staff.
• Support the mission of The Salvation Army.