Senior PR + Communications Strategist

Job Description

TITLE: SENIOR PR + COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGIST

\n

\n

LOCATION: Hybrid (Indianapolis/Carmel -based)

\n

\n

PURPOSE: Lead public relations, media relations, and crisis and executive communications strategies that protect reputations, earn meaningful coverage, and deliver measurable results for PMG clients.

\n

\n

MANAGERS: CEO, VP of Operations, Director of Client Success + Director of Public Relations

\n

\n

TYPE: Full-Time, Salaried

\n

\n

SCOPE: Client PR Strategy + Account Leadership, Media Relations + Campaign Execution, Crisis + Executive Communications + Marketing Integration + Strategy

\n

\n

ACCOUNTABILITIES: PR + Communications Strategy Development, Media Relations, Issues + Crisis Counsel, Executive Communications + Spokesperson Preparation, Client Relationship Leadership, Team Mentorship

\n

\n

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS: Client Satisfaction + Retention, Earned Media Quality + Reach, Message Pull-Through, Crisis Response Readiness, Strategic Alignment with Client Goals, Timeliness of Deliverables, Team Collaboration + Utilization Rate

\n

\n

ABOUT PENCE MEDIA GROUP

\n

Pence Media Group (PMG) is a full-service public relations, branding, digital + paid media and marketing consultancy founded by Nicole Pence Becker in 2017. PMG has grown to become a dynamic, award-winning team, collaborating to help clients affirm their brand identity, craft key messages, and deliver them to targeted audiences, with an operating mantra of, “Consider It Done.” PMG is a certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) in the state of Indiana and was honored with several awards in 2026, including a MUSE Creative Gold Award for Best Small Agency of the Year and being named one of PR Daily’s Top Agencies for 2025. PMG’s client roster includes start-ups, small to medium businesses, public sector and nonprofit organizations, and Fortune 500 companies.

\n

\n

POSITION OVERVIEW

\n

PMG is seeking a Senior PR + Communications Strategist to serve as a trusted counselor to client leaders and lead PR, media relations, and crisis and executive communications across a portfolio of accounts.

\n

\n

This role requires a highly experienced communicator (15+ years) who can walk into a newsroom, a boardroom, or a fast-moving crisis and be the calmest, most strategic person in the room. You’ll translate business and organizational objectives into clear communications strategies, then drive execution with urgency, accountability, and measurable results.

\n

The ideal candidate is both strategic and executional: someone who can deliver candid counsel to executives, shape messaging under pressure, land earned media in top-tier and local outlets, and still write the pitch, statement, or talking points themselves when it matters.

\n

\n

This role operates as a senior strategic partner to PMG clients and an extension of their leadership teams, while also mentoring PMG team members and driving momentum across projects.

\n

\n

Candidates with newsroom, broadcast, public affairs, or in-house corporate communications backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply.

\n

\n

QUALIFICATIONS

\n

\n
• Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or related field
\n
• 15+ years of experience in public relations, media relations, or strategic communications (agency, newsroom, public affairs, or in-house corporate communications)
\n
• Proven track record of securing earned media across local, regional, national, and trade outlets, with clips to show for it
\n
• Hands-on issues and crisis communications experience, including drafting statements and advising senior leaders in real time
\n
• Experience serving as the primary communications counselor to executives, elected officials, or senior client stakeholders
\n
• Exceptional writing and editing across formats, from a two-line pitch to an executive speech or op-ed
\n
• Established media relationships, ideally in the Indianapolis and Indiana market
\n
• Experience preparing spokespeople and leading media training
\n
• Ability to manage multiple clients, campaigns, and priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment
\n
• Familiarity with AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) to enhance research, drafting, media monitoring, and workflow efficiency
\n
• Highly organized, proactive, and solutions-oriented, with sound judgment and discretion
\n
• APR accreditation, broadcast experience, or public sector, education, health care, association, or nonprofit client experience a plus
\n

\n

\n

ROLES + RESPONSIBILITIES

\n

PR STRATEGY + MEDIA RELATIONS

\n

\n
• Develop and execute PR strategies aligned with client visibility, reputation, and business goals
\n
• Identify and pitch compelling story angles to local, regional, national, and trade media
\n
• Draft and edit press releases, media advisories, op-eds, talking points, fact sheets, and messaging frameworks
\n
• Build targeted media lists and cultivate strong relationships with reporters, producers, and editors
\n
• Staff interviews, press conferences, and media events
\n
• Track, analyze, and report on coverage and message pull-through against client goals
\n

\n

\n

ISSUES, CRISIS + EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS

\n

\n
• Serve as a lead counselor when clients face sensitive issues, from first call through recovery
\n
• Identify reputational, media, and stakeholder risks before they escalate
\n
• Draft holding statements, internal and external messaging, and Q&A documents under tight deadlines
\n
• Build crisis preparedness plans and protocols for clients
\n
• Lead media training and prepare executives and spokespeople for high-stakes interviews
\n
• Write speeches, remarks, and thought-leadership content for executives and public officials
\n

\n

\n

ACCOUNT OWNERSHIP + CLIENT LEADERSHIP

\n

\n
• Own assigned client accounts from strategy through execution and reporting
\n
• Serve as the day-to-day strategic lead and trusted advisor, delivering candid counsel even when it’s not what clients want to hear
\n
• Lead client working sessions, planning discussions, and strategic recommendations with executive presence
\n
• Drive momentum by proactively identifying priorities, opportunities, and risks
\n
• Manage timelines, scope, and budgets across multiple accounts
\n
• Identify opportunities to grow client relationships and support new business proposals
\n

\n

\n

TEAM LEADERSHIP + COLLABORATION

\n

\n
• Mentor and review the work of PMG team members on PR deliverables
\n
• Collaborate with marketing, brand, content, digital, and paid media teams to keep PR cohesive with broader client goals
\n
• Ensure internal teams stay aligned, accountable, and on schedule
\n

\n

\n

TOOLS + PLATFORMS

\n

Experience with:

\n

\n
• Media databases and monitoring tools (Cision, Muck Rack, Meltwater, or similar)
\n
• Google Workspace
\n
• Project management tools (e.g., Monday.com)
\n
• Social and digital platforms as they support earned media and executive visibility
\n
• AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) for research, drafting, media monitoring, and reporting
\n

\n

\n

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

\n

\n
• Stay ahead of trends in media, public relations, crisis communications, and AI-assisted communications
\n
• Continuously build media relationships and explore new approaches that strengthen client outcomes
\n

\n

\n

WHAT WE OFFER

\n

At PMG, we don’t just offer jobs: we invest in our people. Our Total Rewards Compensation model is designed to recognize impact, reward excellence, and support the whole person.

\n

Here’s what full-time team members can expect:

\n

\n
• Industry-leading Base Salary aligned with role, experience, and performance
\n
• Performance utilization pay-outs based on client impact, billable hours, and contributions
\n
• Competitive PTO + Annual Company Holidays (including Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and a summer holiday break)
\n
• Flex Days to support community involvement, remote work, or mental reset
\n
• Monthly Cell Phone + Gas/Commute Stipend
\n
• Flexible Hybrid Work Model with weekly in-person collaboration in Carmel or Indianapolis
\n
• Professional Growth Opportunities through stretch assignments, conference access, and continuous upskilling support
\n
• Creative Autonomy + Strategic Ownership in a high-performance, values-driven environment
\n
• A culture built on accountability, ambition, and action, where “Consider it done” isn’t a slogan, it’s how we operate
\n
• Employee philanthropy program
\n

\n

\n

HOW TO APPLY

\n

Serious applicants should apply on LinkedIn AND send the following to Nicole Pence Becker at View email address on ziprecruiter.com for consideration:

\n

\n
• Resume
\n
• Cover Letter
\n
• 3–5 writing samples or media placements (PDF or links), including crisis or executive communications work if possible
\n
• At least three references
\n

\n

\n

Candidates who show strong alignment will complete a written questionnaire, then move to a virtual interview with PMG leadership, followed by a paid strategy exercise as the final step before offer.

\n