Media Relations Manager in Saint Paul, Minnesota

Media Relations Manager

The Media Relations Manager helps protect and elevate Baker Tilly's image and reputation by leading day-to-day media relations strategy and execution. Reporting to the public relations director, this position translates firmwide business and growth priorities into proactive earned media strategies, key messages and timely responses to media inquiries. The manager serves as a strategic adviser to leaders and subject matter experts, oversees relationships with third-party public relations agencies and coordinates media outreach, spokesperson preparation, announcements and integrated promotion across public relations, marketing, social media and creative teams.

This role provides functional leadership, coaching, workload coordination and quality review for media relations team members and may include direct supervision. The manager tracks media results and social engagement, evaluates the quality and business relevance of coverage and uses data to adjust strategy and advise leadership. The successful candidate must demonstrate an unwavering commitment to the highest standards of confidentiality and professionalism.

This role involves sensitive projects where sound judgment and discretion are paramount. The ideal candidate has a proven record of handling proprietary and confidential information with care and integrity.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute media relations strategies that advance Baker Tilly's business priorities, strengthen the firm's reputation and support go-to-market plans.
• Translate complex business, industry, regulatory and technical topics into clear messages, compelling story angles and timely media opportunities.
• Counsel the public relations director, firm leaders and subject matter experts on media strategy, reputational considerations, executive visibility and response approaches.
• Monitor news and emerging issues in real time and support issues management and crisis communications in partnership with the public relations director.
• Evaluate awards, rankings, sponsor ships and other visibility opportunities for credibility, cost and strategic fit.

Media Relations and Spokesperson Management:

• Build and maintain relationships with national business, financial, trade, industry and regional media.
• Lead proactive pitching and manage inbound media inquiries, evaluating each opportunity for relevance, risk, timing, message alignment and spokesperson fit.
• Identify, prepare and coach executives and subject matter experts for interviews. Develop briefing materials, talking points, written responses and follow-up plans.
• Oversee the development, review and approval of pitches, press releases, bylined articles, media statements, award submissions and other external materials.
• Coordinate post-placement promotion across social media and digital channels to extend the reach and value of earned coverage.

Agency and Program Management:

• Direct the day-to-day work of external public relations agencies, set priorities, align strategy and messaging, review deliverables and assess performance.
• Establish efficient workflows, project plans, timelines and systems for media inquiries, campaigns, announcements and recurring agency work.
• Lead regular agency and internal team check-ins, ensuring clear ownership, timely decisions and effective follow-through.
• Partner with the public relations director on agency scopes, resource allocation and budget considerations.
• Maintain media lists, process documentation and shared tools that improve coordination and continuity.

Team Leadership and Development:

• Provide functional leadership, coaching, feedback, workload coordination and quality review for media relations team members.
• Assign or coordinate work across specialists and agency partners based on business priorities, capacity, expertise and deadlines.
• May directly supervise one or more team members, depending on business needs, including goal setting, ongoing feedback, performance discussions and professional development.
• Foster a collaborative and accountable team environment that encourages knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.
• Help build team readiness and coverage for high-volume or fast-turn media cycles.

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Integrated Communications:

• Partner with leaders and teams across the organization to understand business priorities, key messages, client needs and emerging opportunities.
• Build alignment with marketing, social media, creative, internal communications and other stakeholders to deliver integrated campaigns.
• Lead or support communications for firmwide announcements, mergers and acquisitions, executive initiatives, research and thought leadership.
• Serve as a bridge between public relations, business leaders and external partners, managing reviews and approvals while maintaining momentum.

Measurement and Optimization:

• Establish goals and key performance indicators for media relations initiatives.
• Monitor and analyze earned media coverage, message pull-through, spokesperson…