Public Relation Strategist

Job Summary

Compeer Financial is a member-owned cooperative dedicated to supporting agriculture and rural communities. We offer a flexible, hybrid work environment with excellent benefits, including a 401(k) matching program, medical, dental, and vision insurance, and a comprehensive learning and development program.

About the Role

As a Public Relations Specialist, you will shape public perception and enhance the visibility of our organization. Your responsibilities include developing and implementing a PR strategy, managing media relations, and building relationships with journalists and influencers.

Responsibilities

• Develops and manages a comprehensive PR plan that includes strategic planning, budget management, timeline coordination, media relations, content creation, event management, crisis communication, performance measurement, collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, continuous improvement, and compliance with relevant laws and ethical standards.
• Collaborates in planning and maintaining the monthly social editorial calendar to drive brand awareness and consideration, developing and implementing strategies to increase community participation, and in close coordination with the social media and paid media teams, creates and manages a robust content calendar that supports PR objectives, ensuring consistency and impact across all communication channels.
• Partners with the events team to develop a strategic public relations plan for both internal events and Compeer participation in external events.
• Works closely with social media, paid media, and product marketing to create and optimize a content calendar bringing to life Compeer’s key messages.
• Builds and maintains positive relationships with journalists, influencers, bloggers, and other media outlets.
• Analyzes media coverage to gauge public sentiment and brand perception.
• Writes, edits, and distributes various communications materials, including press releases, thought leadership articles, and internal newsletters, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and brand alignment.
• Manages budgets related to agency and contractor services, tracking expenditures and ensuring cost-effective resource use.
• Collects and analyzes performance data, providing regular reports on campaign effectiveness and ROI to senior management.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, marketing, communications, or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential functions of the job.
• Minimum of 10 years of public relations experience.
• Experience in financial services and agriculture-related businesses is highly preferred.
• Experience working in or with public relations agencies is preferred.
• In-depth understanding of public relations and media communications strategies.
• Familiarity with storytelling techniques and media pitching processes.
• Awareness of industry trends and best practices in PR and media relations.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and oral communication skills, with a flair for creative writing.
• Proven ability to create compelling stories and secure media coverage.
• Strong project management skills, capable of handling multiple projects simultaneously, with expertise in file sharing and collaboration tools.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong network of journalists in the agriculture, rural, and business media categories.
• Experienced in managing agencies and contractors.
• Ability to think strategically and align PR efforts with organizational objectives.
• Capacity to drive the organization's mission and objectives through effective communication.
• Competence in collaborating with various stakeholders to enhance PR and media efforts.

Qualifications

• Valid driver’s license.

Skills

• Writing and editing skills.
• Media pitching and storytelling techniques.
• Project management and collaboration tools.
• Strategic thinking and alignment with organizational objectives.
• Networking and relationship-building skills.
• Public relations and media communications strategies.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) matching program.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Life and AD&D insurance.
• Wellness program and Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Vacation, sick leave, holidays/floating holidays, parental leave, and volunteer paid time off.
• Learning and development programs.
• Mentorship programs.
• Cross-functional committee opportunities.
• Professional membership/certification reimbursement and more!

Pay

$105,700 - $142,900 USD

Schedule

Hybrid model – up to 50% work from home