Communications Manager

*Position Description* This director-level position will serve as a communications generalist, focusing on executive communications and local reputation-building of Oakland-based InnovatePGH and the Pittsburgh Innovation District (PID).
The role will focus on developing relationships with local media, pitching Innovate/PID leadership and promoting place-making news such as drafting and distributing press releases announcing larger programs/initiatives locally, developing newsletters and related content/materials to promote Innovate/PID-hosted events and programs, and developing strong working relationships with peers of InnovatePGH stakeholder organizations.
Candidates who are best suited for this role are hands-on doers who can think proactively, take direction and act within a deadline, and manage up and across the organization.
They are experienced in communications, public relations and message-crafting and possess strong written and verbal communications skills as well as, at minimum, a basic understanding of the role of social media and how to incorporate it into a communications plan.
This position is currently focused on local/regional media, stakeholders and strategy with the goal of morphing the role into one that also addresses state-level and national issues, as appropriate and relevant to the organization.
This position will report to the President & CEO of InnovatePGH with the expectation that the person will work closely and collaboratively with the senior team to provide focused, coordinated media relations and messaging support for the organization.
*Position Prerequisites* * 7-10 years communications/PR experience * Public policy/civic engagement experience a bonus but not required * Proactive doer who is also willing and happy to learn and take direction * Strong writing skills * Able to build professional relationships internally and externally, especially with members of the media * Experience working directly with media, including pitching, answering questions and setting up interviews * Long and short form content creator * Basic knowledge of and experience with posting to social media channels, factoring preset audience and the audiences being reached on each channel * Proactive while also being able to understand and advance work through an approval process * Works well within a deadline * Can manage up and across a team * Problem solver and critical thinker * Strong organizational skills *Position Primary Responsibilities* * Develop a communications plan to re-familiarize InnovatePGH and the Pittsburgh Innovation District with the local community, key stakeholders and the regional startup/tech/entrepreneur ecosystem to be executed in close coordination with InnovatePGH’s President and the Innovation District’s Director.
* Develop relationships with local reporters.
* Pitch Innovate/PID leadership to media either for stand-alone reported pieces, op eds, to offer quotes/commentary or background on a given issue affecting Pittsburgh or Oakland, and generally create more of an open line of communication between Innovate and the media.
* Develop and submit applications for local awards and speaking engagements for Innovate leadership.
* Develop and send press releases announcing major Innovate/PID events and happenings to local media.
* Support writing op eds on behalf of Innovate leadership.
Such pieces would delve into newsy current events while promoting larger ecosystem trends and issues that have a regional appeal.
* Develop content for basic promotional materials to support PID-led events and programs such as invitations, social posts, posters, brochures, and similar.
* Build and lead a “communications steering committee/working group” for Oakland, comprising similar level marcomm staff members at key stakeholder organizations as an information-sharing group.
* Basic social media posts, including calendar and handle regular posts on most widely viewed social handles to promote relevant news items, especially those in which Innovate leadership are quoted, Innovate events and Innovate stakeholders.
* Reminder/support development of leadership LinkedIn posts.
*Compensation & Benefits* This is a full-time position with a salary of approximately $80,000-85,000 with competitive benefits.
The position will be based at InnovatePGH’s offices in the Pittsburgh Innovation District with hybrid-work pattern.
Some local travel and evening hours may be required.
InnovatePGH strives to create a diverse, inclusive, and safe work environment.
We highly encourage qualified applicants regardless of age, color, creed, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, military or veteran status (or any combination of these ore related factors) to submit an application for consideration.
*Application Submission Requirements* Interested candidates should submit the following documents to be considered for the position: * Resume * Cover letter * Three writing samples from previous work: one press release, one media advisory, one thought piece (op ed, blog post or similar) * Three references, including names, titles, email addresses and phone numbers Job Type: Full-time Pay: $80,000.
00 - $85,000.
00 per year Benefits: * 401(k) * 401(k) matching * Dental insurance * Flexible schedule * Health insurance * Paid parental leave * Paid time off * Parental leave * Vision insurance Schedule: * 8 hour shift Experience: * Marketing: 5 years (Required) Ability to Commute: * Pittsburgh, PA 15213 (Required) Ability to Relocate: * Pittsburgh, PA 15213: Relocate before starting work (Required) Work Location: Hybrid remote in Pittsburgh, PA 15213