Senior Public Relations Coordinator

:

Overview

Summary

Under the general supervision of the Director of Public Relations - Communications, the Senior Public Relations Coordinator manages specific key initiatives, primarily focused on Nashville and the greater Middle Tennessee region. This role will support additional state or national communications initiatives as needed. The Sr. PR Coordinator manages and supports strategic communications and public relations plans, programs and projects; conducts media relations; creates written content to showcase our successes and programs to build local and regional awareness of Youth Villages among the general public and key stakeholder groups; with focus on planning and execution, event promotion, reputation management, campaigns, and support of outlying states where the organization has locations. Supports digital and creative services as needed for on-site video/photography needs and in identifying opportunities for engagement in the region with employees, reporters, etc. Performs other related duties as assigned or directed to meet the goals and objectives of the department. Ideal candidate should have strong media relations experience, impeccable writing skills, and experience coordinating multiple projects and tasks.

Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

**This position is an in-office position located in Nashville, Tennessee, with hybrid work-from-home flexibility after six months.**

• Develops, supports and manages the implementation of comprehensive, strategic public relations plans for Youth Villages in Middle Tennessee and its various services, programs and events.
• Provides regional media relations support for MTN locations/programs and overall organizational and departmental objectives; works with the news media both proactively and reactively. Is on call 24/7 for journalists and crisis situations.
• Will serve as the communications MTN point person for state leadership, attending state operations meetings. Will be familiar with all programs and needs in the area to regularly assist with communications needs.
• Supports national communications as needed where national news media or other opportunities to highlight programs in the region are applicable.
• Guides media relations efforts and content creation (success stories, expert columns, etc.) with input from Director of Public Relations - Communications.
• Monitors the local and national child welfare/juvenile justice/social services environment, news coverage and issues to stay apprised of situations in MTN that may affect Youth Villages - or where Youth Villages may be seen as an expert. Ensures appropriate responses/pitches are prepared and implemented.
• Develops content and materials (reports, news releases, media pitches, fact sheets, surveys, talking points, newsletters, articles, website copy, speeches, scripts, presentations) and ensures all materials are kept up to date and revised as needed.
• Proofreads and edits written documents (including those mentioned in prior bullet). Follows other proofing processes for the department.
• Assists on crisis communications efforts in tandem with Director of Public Relations - Communications and Assistant Director of Public Relations - Communications.
• Conducts PR activities accurately, timely, within budget parameters and in a way that supports operational goals.
• Works to ensure message consistency, helping with overarching messaging, brand stewardship, content quality, etc.
• Regularly evaluates the effectiveness of PR plans, strategies and tactics and reports on status of plans and results of work.
• Conducts market and primary research to aid in forming strategic plans and in evaluating results of PR tactics.
• Counsels Youth Villages leadership and staff on public relations matters, conducting media training and coaching staff for news media interviews with Director of Public Relations - Communications. Works closely with other departments (Development, Business Planning and Policy, Government Relations) to communicate needs related to legislative, programmatic or other key initiatives focused on growth and fundraising.
• Interviews people from all Youth Villages stakeholder groups and writes stories, copy, speeches, news releases, etc. for various uses as needed
• Preps/identifies/vets leadership, young people and families for interview opportunities ranging from media to legislative panels and visits and other external and internal speaking engagements.
• Collaborate closely with regional photographers and videographers to capture local content from our programs and community events.
• Works with other Communications team members, such as digital communications, to support overall goals.
• Works closely with other Youth Villages departments and outside vendors as necessary to ensure all programs and projects are successful, accurate and timely.
• Utilizes media monitoring, tracking and pitching tools regularly to achieve goals and track success. Monitors and reports on Youth Villages coverage to leadership.
• Performs additional duties at the request of the directors of the department or officers.

Travel The job involves primarily regional travel around Nashville/Middle Tennessee, with occasional travel to Youth Villages' national headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee. Requires flexibility in attending office events or in-person meetings, if needed. May have to be present in person for media interviews, reporter meetings, prep with families, etc.

Experience growth and development through our continuous training as well as tuition and licensure reimbursement or pursue opportunities to advance both clinically and administratively with Youth Villages

Qualifications

Education/ Experience Bachelor's degree in public relations (majors in other disciplines of communications and marketing may be considered with relevant PR experience).

Minimum of three to five years of experience in public relations/communications, with established media relationships and experience actively working with media in Nashville/Middle Tennessee.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Language Skills

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before stakeholders of organization. Strong newswriting, editing and proofreading skills necessary.

Reasoning Ability Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Strong critical thinking skills necessary. Strategic planning skills necessary.

Key Skills and Ability

Ability to write news stories, feature articles and general copy. Ability to take photographs or video suitable for publication and reproduction with a smart phone. Ability to work with little supervision. Ability to communicate well on both verbal and written levels. Understands how to maintain good relations with co-workers, vendors, children and their families, journalists, donors, etc. Ability to use a PC or Mac with Microsoft Office suite.

Mathematical Skills Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. Ability to calculate advertising equivalency of news stories.

Physical Demands 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 to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Benefits

Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug Coverage and Vision401(k)2 weeks paid vacation12 paid sick days per year11 paid holidays

Paid Parental LeaveMileage & Cell Phone Reimbursement (when applicable)

Tuition reimbursement and licensure supervision

Growth & development through continuous training

Clinical and administrative advancement opportunities

Youth Villages is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Youth Villages is committed to not only advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace but also in our work with children and young adults. We know that children, families and young people of color can face inequity in child welfare and justice systems, and we train our employees to build the skills they need to work with the communities that we serve, as well as, other employees from different cultures and backgrounds. Youth Villages is opposed to racism in any of its forms and is committed to inclusion, equity, and diversity. We believe that respect for each other is crucial in the work that we do each day.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $55,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Referral program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person