Sr. Public Relations Manager

Sr. Manager, Public Relations and Communications Houston, Texas About Tekmetric Tekmetric is the all-in-one, cloud-based software helping auto repair shops run smarter, grow faster, and serve customers better. Built by a shop owner and shaped by the needs of the industry, Tekmetric brings together innovation, real-world experience, and a thriving community to help shops thrive - not just survive.From running a shop, to securing payments to engaging customers, our platform simplifies operations so shop owners can focus on what really matters: delivering exceptional service, earning trust, and growing sustainably. Officially founded in Houston in 2017, Tekmetric has grown from a single shop’s vision to the industry’s leading solution - all by staying true to our values of transparency, integrity, innovation, and a service-first mindset. But we’re not just building shop management software. We’re building a movement. We’re empowering repair shops to rise above the daily grind, create meaningful connections with their customers, and lead the industry forward - one interaction at a time. Come build with us. Join the journey. Shape the future of auto repair. Working the Tekmetric Way At Tekmetric, we’re building a culture where winning matters - not for ego, but because when our customers win, we win together. We move fast, stay curious, and take full ownership of our results — no excuses, no finger-pointing. If you thrive in ambiguity, take initiative, and view honest feedback as fuel for growth, you’ll feel right at home here. We’re direct but respectful, ambitious yet grounded, and collaborative at every level. Everyone leads through impact and is encouraged to speak up, share ideas, and challenge assumptions (even your manager’s). This is a place for builders, not bystanders. Success here takes focus, follow-through, and a willingness to roll up your sleeves — but if you’re driven by meaningful work and real results, it’s deeply rewarding. You’ll join a team that cares about the work, supports one another, and takes smart risks to achieve bold goals. Be yourself, stay mission-focused, and you’ll thrive. If that energizes you, we can’t wait to meet you. At Tekmetric, great work happens anywhere, but great teams are built through intentional connection . We offer hybrid and remote work models based on your proximity to our office hubs. Because we value in-person collaboration, travel is an expected part of every role. We come together several times a year for team and company-wide offsites to align on goals and strengthen relationships. Attendance at these events is expected and fully supported. What You’ll Do This is not a traditional PR role — and if that excites you, keep reading. Tekmetric is at an inflection point. We've built the leading platform for independent auto repair shops, and now we're investing in the stories, voices, and credibility that will define our position in the industry for years to come. We're looking for a Sr. Public Relations Manager who thinks well beyond press releases and clip reports — someone who understands that PR in 2026 is as much about AI citation and "share of model" as it is about front-page features, and who knows how to build earned authority that shapes how journalists, industry voices, and AI engines understand and talk about Tekmetric. You’ll own our external communications strategy end-to-end: from building our executive thought leadership program from the ground up, to managing high-value media partnerships, driving our founder-led content engine, and translating product milestones and community impact into compelling stories that land. This is a high-visibility, high-impact individual contributor role that sits at the intersection of earned media, executive positioning, and brand credibility — and it requires someone with both the strategic range to architect long-term programs and the polish to represent Tekmetric at the highest levels. As our Sr. Public Relations Manager, you'll be the architect of Tekmetric's earned media presence and the steward of how our leaders, our company, and our community are seen by the world. Build and lead our executive thought leadership program . Develop a proactive, systematic approach to positioning Tekmetric's leadership team as authoritative, trusted voices in the auto repair industry and the broader space. Starting with our founder and CEO, you'll identify speaking opportunities, secure contributed content placements, pitch podcast and media appearances, and craft messaging that earns credibility in both traditional and AI-powered media environments. Own the earned media strategy — and evolve it for the AI era . Develop and execute a media relations strategy rooted in data-driven storytelling and deep relationships with the trade and business press covering our space. You understand that the goal today isn't just earning a click — it's earning a citation. You'll build a sustainable earned media engine that positions Tekmetric as the defining voice in the auto repair technology category, with an eye on GEO and AI visibility as a core strategic lever. Drive our founder-led content engine . Partner closely with our CEO to develop an authentic, high-impact content program that puts real expertise and perspective on the page. You'll own the strategy, develop the editorial framework, and manage the production workflow that turns leadership insights into industry-shaping content across publications, platforms, and media outlets. Lead Tektonic media partnerships and conference PR . Tektonic is Tekmetric's flagship annual industry event — and one of our highest-profile brand moments. You'll own the media partnership strategy for Tektonic, developing and managing relationships with trade publications, journalists, and content partners to maximize coverage, credibility, and industry reach before, during, and after the event. Partner with Product on launches that earn attention . Work hand-in-hand with Product and cross-functional teams to craft narratives for product announcements that drive coverage and real industry conversation. You'll develop pitch angles, coordinate the media strategy, and ensure every major product launch moment gets the external visibility and third-party validation it deserves. Position our leaders as subject matter experts. Identify, develop, and amplify the expertise of Tekmetric's leaders across marketing, sales, product, finance, operations, customer success, and beyond — matching the right internal voices to the right audiences to build authority across the conversations that matter most to our business. Package Tekmetric's philanthropic and community impact . Find and tell the human stories behind Tekmetric's investment in the auto repair community. You'll shape the narrative around our broader industry impact in a way that resonates with our audience and reinforces Tekmetric's reputation as a company that genuinely cares. Own our media sponsorships . Manage and maximize Tekmetric's portfolio of media and trade sponsorships, ensuring each delivers real strategic value — not just logo placements. You'll evaluate opportunities, negotiate agreements, and build the partnerships that extend our reach in the right places. Apply a GEO-forward lens to everything . You understand that earned media is the primary driver of AI citation, and that brands winning "share of model" today are those who've systematically built external authority over time. You'll embed GEO thinking into media strategy, content structure, and narrative architecture — treating AI visibility as a core PR metric alongside traditional share of voice and earned impressions. Measure what actually matters . Define and track the right signals: earned media reach, placement quality, executive visibility, share of voice trends, and brand mention sentiment inside AI-generated answers. You'll build reporting that connects PR activity to business outcomes and communicate progress clearly to senior stakeholders. What You’ll Bring Bachelor's degree and/or 8+ years of experience in public relations, communications, or a closely related field Proven track record of building and executing earned media strategies that drive meaningful, measurable results Deep experience in executive communications, thought leadership development, or executive visibility programs Strong, established relationships media, with a track record of securing high-quality placements Experience in B2B, SaaS, or technology communications — ideally in a vertical or industry-specific context with a non-desk or field-based end audience A working understanding of how GEO and AI search are reshaping PR strategy, and the curiosity and drive to stay ahead of it Exceptional writing, editing, and messaging skills — you can write a crisp media pitch, a polished op-ed, a sharp press release, and a tight set of talking points with equal confidence High executive presence and interpersonal polish; you're comfortable engaging directly with C-suite leaders, board members, and external media partners Ability to navigate ambiguity, lead without a roadmap, and bring structure to programs being built for the first time Proven track record of working cross-functionally, especially with Product, Sales, and executive stakeholders Experience managing media sponsorships, event media partnerships, or conference PR strategy Nice to have Experience marketing to field-based, non-desk, or trade audiences (or anything adjacent to the skilled trades / local service economy) Familiarity with PR tools like Meltwater, Muck Rack or Cision, and emerging AI visibility tracking tools Familiarity with how AI search is changing discovery—and curiosity to test how content earns visibility and trust in that environment Why You'll Love Working With Us Health & Wellness That Have You Covered: Enjoy the flexibility of remote work Competitive base salaries that reflect your value. Generous Paid Time Off, because we know you do your best work when you're well-rested. Support for every stage of life — with paid maternity, parental bonding, and medical leave for you or your loved ones. Comprehensive health benefits, including Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription coverage. For employee only, we offer plans that cover 100% of premiums and we cover 50% of costs for families. Prioritizing your mental health: get free, confidential counseling through our partnership with BetterHelp. Investing in Your Future (and Present): 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with 100% employer match on contributions up to 6% - so your future self will thank you. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) to make your money go further. Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance for added peace of mind. Wellness on your terms: get up to $60/month toward fitness, mental health, or almost anything that helps you feel your best. After one year of employment, enjoy a $300 home office setup bonus to help make your space work for you. Keep growing with support for continuing education - we’re invested in your development. Most importantly, we have a stellar team of coworkers, a really cool office, and lots of fun activities! Tekmetric is an equal opportunity employer. We hire hard-working individuals, regardless of gender, race or color, ethnicity or national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or veteran status. We know that when our employees feel appreciated and included, they can be more creative, innovative and successful. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. #J-18808-Ljbffr Tekmetric