Public Relations Manager

Jacksonville, FL Full time

R14275

Great benefits. Competitive pay. We know these are some of the things people look for in a job . If you’re the kind of person who believes that honoring and empowering our nation’s veterans is more than just a cause — that it’s a calling — then we’re ready to meet you. When you join Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP), you’re committing to making a difference. We make a commitment to you, too – helping you to find that spark, ignite your passion to serve, and embark on a career with meaning and purpose. At WWP™, we recognize our mission cannot be accomplished without our talented teammates, which is why we’re proud to offer benefits such as:

• A flexible hybrid work schedule (three days in the office, two days’ work from home)
• Full medical, dental, and vision coverage for both teammates AND family members
• Competitive pay and performance incentives
• A fun, mission-focused, and collaborative team environment

A mission that matters is just the beginning, so if you’re ready to get started, we’re ready for you. The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) Public Relations Manager manages a team of public relations professionals and leads public relations strategies to ensure and maintain a positive public opinion among key WWP audiences. This role will report to the Public Relations Associate Director, working closely with the Communications and Marketing teams, business partners, and external partners to communicate WWP’s impact. The Public Relations Manager will excel in coaching and cultivating a high-performing team, while driving compelling storytelling, earned media, and other strategic communications that position WWP's position as the nation's leading veterans service organization.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Manage, mentor, and develop public relations and thought leadership teammates, fostering a supportive environment that encourages proactive problem-solving and drives individual and team performance toward organizational goals. Manage the external communication of WWP programs, priority initiatives, strategic partnerships, and more through the development and implementation of integrated communication plans that leverage earned, shared, owned, paid, and other emerging public relations strategies. Lead and ensure the team collaborates with internal teams including, but not limited to, content marketing and social media, marketing, internal communications, and fundraising and program business partners. Develop and execute public relations strategies to advance WWP’s thought leadership through earned media, content development, industry influence opportunities, and other tactics. Monitor and proactively manage organizational reputation, identifying emerging risks, stakeholder concerns, and opportunities to strengthen trust and credibility. Serve as a strategic communications advisor to internal stakeholders, providing counsel on messaging, reputation, stakeholder engagement, and communications implications of business decisions. Support the development and ongoing updates of organizational key messages based on evolving strategies and stakeholder feedback. Collaborate with the leadership team to prioritize the public relations team’s proactive pitching of news and feature stories highlighting organizational priorities, programs and services, community integrations, strategic partnerships, and warrior and supporter stories. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with national, regional, and local media representatives, as well as freelance and nontraditional journalists and media personalities. Manage requests for information, interviews, and endorsements about WWP, its executives, experts, and warriors. Ensure subject matter experts are trained and prepared for interviews. Work closely with other marketing and communications leaders to develop content strategies that engage key audiences about WWP‘s mission. Monitor and measure the effectiveness of earned media and other communications. Prepare reports with performance metrics for leadership to improve effectiveness of messaging and communications plans. Source and manage vendors, including but not limited to public relations agencies, newswire services, media monitoring and analytics, and paid media. Participate in process improvement activities and on project teams, as appropriate. Participate in strategic planning activities and contribute to the development and management of the department budget. Attend and actively participate in required training and/or meetings, including but not limited to New Teammate Orientation, WWP Cares, ASIST Suicide Prevention training, Leadership training, culture/team based training, or departmental huddles. Other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

Demonstrated ability to protect and advance organizational reputation through strategic communications, issues management, and crisis communications in a rapidly evolving environment. Proven ability to build strong relationships with news organizations, reporters, and media personalities and lead media pitching that delivers confirmed results. Demonstrated ability to effectively manage public relations agencies, contractors, and other vendors that provide public relations services. Expert-level written, verbal, and editing skills, with expertise in managing organizational messaging and developing press releases, statements, and other communications in accordance with communication principles, including Associated Press (AP) style. Demonstrated working knowledge of data analytics, performance metrics, and trends analysis. Exceptional interpersonal skills. Proven capability to develop and maintain professional relationships and interact effectively with diverse individuals to build effective working relationships. Demonstrated emotional intelligence. Ability to handle highly sensitive matters with confidentiality, diplomacy, and professionalism. Exceptional judgment. Demonstrated ability to establish credibility, be decisive, influence others, and influence change. Strong presentation skills. Confident communicator with proven ability to present information effectively. Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize, troubleshoot, and manage multiple projects efficiently and accurately in a fast-paced environment. Demonstrated ability to leverage AI tools to improve efficiency and strategic decision-making while maintaining quality, accuracy, and ethical standards. Proficient using Microsoft Office and Office 365, including desktop and cloud-based versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, Teams, Copilot, and more. Experience using project management tools such as Monday.com or similar. Proficient at using and evaluating the performance of press release distribution and media monitoring services, such as PR Newswire, Cision, Muck Rack, Meltwater, and Critical Mention. High energy level. Self-starter; willing to take initiative. Unequivocal commitment to the highest standards of personal and business ethics and conduct. Mission-driven, guided by core values, and a pleasure to work with.

EXPERIENCE

Requirements Five years of communications, public relations, or marketing experience. Three years of staff management experience. Preferences Seven years of communications or public relations experience. Five years of staff management experience. Five years of experience working with a nonprofit organization. Two years of experience developing multimedia assets. Two years of experience working with search engine optimization.

EDUCATION

Requirements Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communication, journalism, or relevant related field. Equivalent combination of applicable education, training, certification, and experience may be considered in lieu of degree. Preferences None.

CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSURE

Requirements None. Preferences None.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

General office environment; temperature controlled. May require lifting/carrying items up to 25 pounds. Up to 25% travel. *ca-ll

#LI-HYBRID

Wounded Warrior Project® is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all persons without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. Please note:Wounded Warrior Project is not seeking assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes from search firms without a written search agreement in place. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Wounded Warrior Project via email, the Internet or directly to hiring managers at Wounded Warrior Project in any form without a valid written search agreement in place will be deemed the sole property of Wounded Warrior Project, and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Wounded Warrior Project as a result of the referral or through other means." Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) is a veterans service organization that is transforming the way America’s wounded veterans are empowered, employed, and engaged in their communities. WWP™ works with warriors and their families to create paths toward success as they transition back into civilian life. Through direct programs and services, WWP connects warriors to a network of support and resources to address their evolving needs. The WWP team is passionate about creating impact—and since 2003, has improved the lives of over half a million warriors and their families. In fact, many WWP employees are veterans themselves and have experienced firsthand the benefits of its programs and services Wounded Warrior Project® is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all persons without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. Wounded Warrior Project