Public Relations and Communications Manager

Description

NCCER is seeking an accomplished Communications Manager to lead the organization’s public relations, earned media, institutional storytelling and editorial communications.

This position will serve as NCCER’s primary communications expert and will be highly accountable for strengthening the organization’s visibility, reputation and voice across the construction, education and workforce-development industries.

The ideal candidate is an exceptional writer and editor who also understands how to create news. This person should be able to recognize compelling stories within NCCER’s programs, research, partnerships and organizational initiatives; develop strong angles; identify the right journalists and outlets; and proactively pitch stories that generate meaningful earned-media coverage.

The Communications Manager will also provide editorial leadership for NCCER’s highest-profile institutional content, including the Annual Report and other major publications, ensuring that content representing the organization is accurate, compelling, well written and publication-ready.

In addition, this position will serve as Marketing’s primary communications partner to NCCER’s Philanthropy team and will lead NCCER’s developing influencer and creator marketing strategy, including management of external agencies as the program scales.

This is a hands‑on manager role. Success requires both strategic communications judgment and the willingness and ability to personally write, edit, pitch, counsel and execute.

• Develop and execute NCCER’s public relations and earned‑media strategy to increase awareness of the organization, its mission, programs, expertise and impact.
• Proactively identify newsworthy stories, trends, research, initiatives, partnerships and organizational developments that can generate earned‑media opportunities.
• Develop compelling story angles and personally pitch relevant journalists, editors, publications, podcasts and other media outlets.
• Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with construction, education, workforce‑development, business and trade media.
• Serve as NCCER’s primary point of contact for incoming media inquiries and external interview requests.
• Coordinate interviews with NCCER executives and subject‑matter experts and provide appropriate media preparation, messaging and supporting materials.
• Draft, edit and coordinate the distribution of press releases and major organizational announcements.
• Identify opportunities to position NCCER executives and subject‑matter experts as authoritative industry voices.
• Develop contributed articles, bylines, op‑eds, talking points and other thought‑leadership materials as needed.
• Monitor earned‑media coverage, evaluate the quality and impact of placements and regularly report results and opportunities.

• Monitor issues and developments that could affect NCCER’s reputation or public positioning.
• Develop crisis and issues communications plans in partnership with the Director of Marketing, executive leadership and other appropriate internal stakeholders.
• Draft statements, talking points, FAQs and other responsive communications as situations require.
• Provide communications counsel to leadership during sensitive or high‑visibility situations.
• Help ensure NCCER communicates clearly, consistently and credibly with external audiences.

• Serve as the primary editorial authority for high‑visibility content representing NCCER as an organization.
• Write, edit and substantially improve content to ensure clarity, accuracy, consistency, appropriate tone and adherence to AP style.
• Lead the editorial development and production of NCCER’s Annual Report, including narrative development, interviews, writing and editing, fact‑checking, internal reviews and coordination with creative resources.
• Lead or provide editorial oversight for other major organizational reports, research publications, thought‑leadership pieces and flagship content.
• Develop and manage NCCER’s communications and editorial calendar in coordination with other…