Public Relations Strategist

COMPANY DESCRIPTION:

Missouri Partnership is a public-private, non-profit organization with the principal mission of recruiting new business investment to the state. Through collaborative efforts with state and local partners, Missouri Partnership works to attract new companies by marketing the state’s business advantages.

Position supports the organization’s public relations and communications strategy by managing media relations, developing executive communications, coordinating business investment announcement communications, and executing earned media initiatives.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Strategic Communications

·      Support the execution of Missouri Partnership’s marketing and communications strategy.

·      Develop and implement communications plans that support business attraction initiatives, campaigns, and organizational priorities.

·      Ensure messaging is consistent across media relations, executive communications, and external communications.

·      Identify opportunities to increase awareness of Missouri Partnership and Missouri’s competitive business advantages through strategic communications and earned media.

Media Relations & Earned Media

·      Serve as the organization’s primary media contact and manage day-to-day media relations.

·      Build and maintain relationships with national, regional, international, and trade media.

·      Develop media pitches and proactive outreach strategies that generate earned media coverage.

·      Coordinate media interviews, press conferences, editorial opportunities, and responses to media inquiries.

·      Monitor media coverage and industry trends, and recommend proactive communications opportunities.

Business Investment Announcements

·      Serve as the communications POC for planning press releases and in-person press events for business investment announcements.

·      Write and distribute press releases announcing new company investments.

·      Coordinate announcement messaging with client companies, local economic development organizations, state agencies, and other project partners.

·      Manage communications timelines while maintaining strict confidentiality throughout active business attraction projects.

Executive Communications

·      Draft talking points, speeches, presentations, briefing materials, and executive correspondence for senior leadership.

·      Prepare executives for media interviews, conferences, board meetings, and public speaking engagements.

·      Ensure executive messaging reflects Missouri Partnership’s strategic priorities and organizational voice.

Content Development

·      Write occasional blogs, feature stories, newsletters, industry articles, award submissions, website copy, and other communications materials.

·      Develop content highlighting Missouri’s strengths in advanced manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, food and beverage, life sciences, geospatial technology, and other target industries.

·      Collaborate with the marketing team to support integrated campaigns across digital, social media, email, advertising, and the website.

Reputation Management

·      Support communications planning during sensitive announcements and emerging issues, including community opposition to development.

·      Monitor economic development, business, and industry news to identify opportunities and potential communications risks.

·      Assist with issues management and crisis communications as needed.

TRAVEL:

·      Occasional travel (including overnight travel) is required to support certain professional development events, announcements, and meetings.

KEY SKILLS:

·      Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills with the ability to translate complex business and economic development topics into compelling content.

·      Strong organizational, project management, and interpersonal skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

·      Core Competencies

o   Media relations

o   Earned media strategy

o   Press release writing

o   Executive communications

o   Speechwriting

o   Business and technical writing

o   Project management

KEY ABILITIES:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Warm, professional demeanor with commitment to providing excellent support.
• Ability to communicate productively with team members to deliver on competing priorities in a timely manner.

• Core Competencies

o   Strategic messaging

o   Stakeholder engagement

o   Collaboration

o   Attention to detail

KEY EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Required:

·      Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, English, or a related field.

·      Five to eight years of professional experience in communications, public relations, journalism, corporate communications, public affairs, or a related field.

·      Demonstrated experience developing media pitches, writing press releases, and securing earned media coverage.

·      Experience writing executive communications, including speeches, talking points, presentations, and briefing materials.

Preferred

·      Experience in economic development, business attraction, government communications, corporate communications, or B2B marketing.

·      Knowledge of corporate site selection, foreign direct investment, manufacturing, or other target industries.

·      Experience coordinating communications for high-profile business announcements or public events.

·      Familiarity with media monitoring and public relations platforms such as Cision, Meltwater, or Muck Rack.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

• This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, functions, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, functions, and activities may be modified, changed or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice, subject to all applicable local, state, and federal laws.