Director of Public Relations

This role leads the strategy and execution of high-impact public relations, public affairs, and community engagement campaigns for government, nonprofit, and corporate sectors. The position serves as a senior client lead and trusted advisor, helping organizations navigate complex communications challenges, build public trust, and deliver clear, compelling messaging across audiences and channels.

This is a fast-paced, collaborative environment with a strong emphasis on strategic thinking, service, and high-quality execution.

Worksite Location: Minneapolis, MN with a hybrid work environment.
Salary: $110,000-$125,000 (DOE) plus bonus
Benefits: Includes medical, dental, vision, PTO, 401k match, maternity/paternity leave program, short-term/long-term disability, continued education, and training

Responsibilities:

• Lead development and execution of integrated public relations and community engagement strategies, including messaging, media relations, public affairs, and reputation management
• Serve as a primary client lead across multiple accounts, building trusted relationships and ensuring strong communication, responsiveness, and delivery of high-quality work
• Guide internal account teams and coordinate workstreams across multiple clients, ensuring deadlines, budgets, and deliverables stay on track
• Translate complex policy, technical, and organizational information into clear, compelling messaging for public audiences
• Develop and oversee proactive and reactive media relations strategy, including messaging, pitching, and narrative development
• Prepare spokespeople and provide hands-on support for media interviews, press events, and public engagements
• Support and execute community engagement and public participation initiatives, including public meetings, open houses, and stakeholder engagement efforts
• Ensure inclusive and accessible communication strategies that reach diverse audiences and communities
• Advise clients on crisis and issue communications, including development of messaging, response plans, and real-time communications support

Qualifications:

• Strong background in public relations, public affairs, communications, journalism, or related field
• Proven experience managing client relationships and leading communications initiatives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills across platforms and audiences
• Strong media relations experience, including pitching, responding to inquiries, and managing sensitive or high-visibility issues
• Experience supporting or leading community engagement, public participation, or stakeholder communications efforts
• Ability to balance strategic advisory work with hands-on execution
• Experience working with or alongside government, nonprofit, or corporate clients (agency experience strongly preferred)
• Strong interpersonal skills with a collaborative, professional, and solutions-oriented approach
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously
• Commitment to inclusive communication and building trust across diverse audiences

About Versique

Versique: /ver-seek/ adj. being both versatile and unique; n. a high-performance recruiting firm specializing in executive leadership search, direct hire, and interim hiring solutions.


Versique Executive, Professional, & Interim Recruiting is a locally owned and operated hiring and placement firm based in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. With specialized practice areas across our three divisions, Versique delivers tailored expertise to a wide range of industries. What sets us apart is our team of recruiters-seasoned professionals who have worked in the very fields they now hire for, providing unmatched industry insight and connections.

We believe people are more than just resumes-they are transformative, unlocking the potential for organizational growth and success.

Versique is proud to be award-winning, earning recognition on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies and the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal's Fast 50 list for 2023. We are also consistently recognized as a Star Tribune Top Workplace and were named a Best Place to Work in 2022 by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.

Let's find your people, together.

Versique is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse workforce. We consider all qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status.

#LI-NP1