Public Relations Manager

If asked to describe the culture at Metropolitan Family Services, we could do that in one word.
COMMUNITY
! Both our internal culture as well as through the services we provide, community is at the heart of all we do.

Metropolitan Family Services (MFS) empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, since 1857, Metropolitan family Services has been the engine of change that empowers families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities.

MFS is currently looking to fill a new full-time role,
Public Relations Manager
! Within our Metropolitan Peace Academy (MPA) team!

SALARY: The average starting salary for this position will fall in the range of $60,000 and $65,000 annually.

• Create and maintain an overall favorable public image for MPI/CP4P by communicating programs, accomplishments and/or points of view, in partnership with the Communications Director and Chief Communications Officer
• Help clarify the organization’s point of view to its various audiences through media press releases, leadership media interviews, press conferences, public events. etc.
• Cultivate relationships with influential print, digital and broadcast journalists, as well as thought leaders within the public safety sector in addition to film and multimedia production outlets
• Write media releases, develop and prepare press kits and other press materials
• Field media questions and serve as first point of contact for media inquiries
• Strategize and release information to counter negative publicity and handle crisis and emergency communications
• Brief organizational leadership on communicating with the media
• Assist with writing speeches for organizational leadership at public-facing events
• Develop and organize promotional events
• Develop advertising and marketing communications material
• Monitor social, economic, and political trends that might affect the organization
• Partner with Social Media Manager to write and create digital content for organization’s social media outlets, such as regular posts, blogs, tweets, etc.
• Project management expert, with ability to adhere to critical project timelines
• Ability to work special events, as well as handle unexpected deadlines and emergency communications
• Must be able to periodically work evenings/weekends
• Other program duties as assigned

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Journalism, English, Communications or Marketing with a PR or Advertising concentration,
  required.
• 5+ years’ experience working in public relations field or similar role,
  required.

• Excellent writing and editing skills and the ability to write compelling copy are a must
• Must be deadline-driven and possess the ability to meet important timelines.
• Must have established print, digital and broadcast media contacts in the Chicago metropolitan area.
• Strong risk management and evaluation skills
• Tactical understanding of all primary social media platforms
• Expert verbal communications skills
• Be proactive, reliable, responsible and accurate with an attention to detail
• Ability to use good judgment, work well under pressure, adapt to change, and work collaboratively with individuals from all culturally diverse backgrounds
• Strong relationship building skills
• Strong strategic and organizational skills
• Effective time management skills and ability to complete given tasks
• Self-motivated, team and goal-oriented individual with the ability to drive results
• Strong knowledge of Content Management Systems (i.e., Word Press)

• Satisfactorily pass all screenings and criminal background checks.

• Driving for work required with a personally owned vehicle.

• While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand for sustained periods of time, frequently talk, hear, use hands and fingers to feel, handle, and operate objects or controls, and occasionally stand, bend, stretch, stoop, kneel and crouch. The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures,…