Public Relations Strategist

DCC Marketing is a full-service brand, marketing, advertising, and strategic communications agency that helps organizations turn complex challenges into clear strategies and measurable outcomes. Our expertise spans strategic communications, digital strategy, media buying, creative development, stakeholder engagement, and integrated campaign execution across public and private sectors.

As a state & nationally certified Women's Business Enterprise (WBENC) founded in 2006, we're building for our next phase of growth—investing in technology, scalable systems, and talented people who embrace innovation, technology, and continuous learning. If you're energized by growth and excited about the future of marketing, you'll fit right in at DCC.

Why This Role Matters

Reputation is a business vulnerability, and crisis cannot be managed reactively. This position exists to build bulletproof messaging frameworks and shield our B2B clients from high-profile operational risks. You will not be writing standard, low-impact promotional materials. You will be sitting directly across from C-suite executives, delivering high-stakes strategic counsel during periods of heightened public visibility. If you want a predictable, behind-the-scenes writing job, this is not it. If you want to own crisis response and shape how major brands protect their market value, we need you on our team.

About the Role

Reporting to the Senior Vice President, and working closely with the account, communication, and content teams, the Public Relations Strategist owns the development and execution of integrated reputation management frameworks. This role combines:

• Strategic B2B communications and executive positioning platform design.
• Crisis mitigation playbook development and real-time response coordination.
• National, regional, and trade earned media strategy execution.
• Cross-functional client leadership and corporate positioning alignment.

You are accountable for translating highly technical industry data into clear narratives while mentoring junior staff to maintain agency quality controls.

Who You Are

You are a high-conviction strategist who remains completely unflappable under executive pressure. You do not wait for an issue to turn into a crisis before you take defensive action. You enjoy:

• Providing calm, authoritative leadership during high-pressure legal or public issues.
• Synthesizing complex operational or technical business realities into definitive messaging.
• Deconstructing newsroom dynamics to maximize earned media placement.
• Operating with complete autonomy across multiple fast-moving client industries.

Areas of Responsibility

1. Strategic Communications & Reputation Management

• Develop integrated public relations strategies for a diverse portfolio of B2B clients.
• Serve as the primary strategic advisor to corporate client C-suite executives.
• Build thought leadership frameworks to establish clients as distinct industry leaders.

2. Crisis Communications & Issues Management

• Lead crisis planning, authoring playbooks, holding statements, and executive talking points.
• Coordinate cross-functional response teams to mitigate reputational risk during public issues.
• Facilitate media training sessions for client executives and organizational spokespersons.

3. Media Relations & Editorial Leadership

• Cultivate relationships with local, regional, national, and trade journalists.
• Write and edit executive communications, op-eds, speeches, and high-tier media materials.
• Review junior team output to guarantee absolute accuracy and strategic compliance.

Qualifications

Required

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Public Relations, Communications, English, Political Science, or a related field.
• Experience: 3-7+ years of professional experience in public relations, corporate communications, or agency environments.
• Skills: Demonstrated experience managing crisis communications planning and direct executive-level consulting.
• Organization: Strong project management skills with the capacity to manage multiple corporate portfolios simultaneously.
• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal storytelling capabilities with verified experience translating complex concepts into clean prose.

Preferred

• Direct newsroom, journalism, or media background showing thorough knowledge of modern digital newsroom operations.
• An active, verified network of national trade and corporate media contacts.
• 7 to 12+ years of verified industry experience with a track record of managing high-stakes crisis communications and national media campaigns.

Benefits & Perks you’ll love

• Family-owned, women-owned business
• Health, Dental, Vision insurance
• Company-Paid life & disability insurance
• 401K
• Generous PTO

Salary Range

$70,000 - $90,000 (Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity and location)

Schedule & Location

Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

Illinois (Decatur or Chicago area) or California - Hybrid Option Available

(May be open to qualified candidates in other locations)

Employment Type

Full-time

FLSA Status: exempt

Physical Demands & Working Conditions

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made.

• Primarily sedentary role; regularly required to sit for extended periods

• Frequent use of computer, keyboard, and monitor

• Occasional lifting or carrying of materials up to 50 lbs

• Travel occasionally required

DCC Marketing, LLC. is an Equal Opportunity Employer

To Apply: Send cover letter & resume to ***email_hidden***