Sr. Manager, Public Relations and Communications

About the Role

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.

What You'll Do

• 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

Benefits

• Flexible remote work options (hybrid and remote models based on proximity to office hubs; travel for team and company-wide offsites expected and fully supported)
• Competitive base salaries
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Paid maternity, parental bonding, and medical leave
• Comprehensive health benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription coverage (100% of premiums covered for employee-only plans; 50% of costs covered for families)
• Free confidential counseling through BetterHelp
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with 100% employer match on contributions up to 6%
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
• Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Wellness stipend up to $60/month toward fitness, mental health, or wellbeing
• $300 home office setup bonus after one year of employment
• Support for continuing education and professional development