Sr. Public Relations & Communications Manager

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute an annual PR and communications strategy — including a year-round calendar — aligned with company objectives, brand priorities, and key business milestones.
• Lead agency relationships and partner with executive leadership to craft and deliver strategic narratives that strengthen brand reputation and drive business objectives.
• Monitor industry trends, competitor activity, and emerging issues to proactively identify opportunities and mitigate risk.
• Build and maintain relationships across regional, national, trade, and industry media — developing proactive outreach strategies that generate meaningful earned media coverage and increase brand visibility.
• Serve as the primary media contact, coordinating timely responses to inquiries while identifying opportunities to position company leaders as trusted experts in housing, community development, workforce development, and corporate philanthropy.
• Track, analyze, and report on media coverage, sentiment, and overall PR performance to inform ongoing strategy.
• Develop and manage communications platforms for key executives, including the President, through speaking engagements, media interviews, award submissions, podcasts, and thought leadership opportunities.
• Draft and deliver high-quality executive communications materials — including speeches, talking points, op-eds, media statements, and presentations — that reflect each leader's voice and priorities.
• Ensure consistency and alignment of messaging across all executive communications and public-facing platforms.
• Lead communications planning for new community announcements, lead generation storytelling, partnerships, philanthropic initiatives, and First Story activities across all markets.
• Collaborate with regional teams to identify and amplify local storytelling opportunities, while developing toolkits, templates, and best practices — including press releases, media backgrounders, Q&As, pitch drafts, and image/caption packages — to ensure consistency and quality.
• Manage external public relations agency relationships, scopes of work, budgets, and performance expectations.
• Evaluate agency performance and recommend strategic improvements to maximize impact and return on investment.
• Develop and maintain crisis communication plans, protocols, and response frameworks to ensure the company is prepared to act swiftly and effectively when issues arise.
• Partner with executive leadership, legal counsel, and operational teams to monitor reputational risks, manage sensitive communications issues, and provide strategic counsel on response approaches.
• Lead all communication efforts during crisis situations to protect and strengthen company reputation.
• Develop and facilitate media training and spokesperson readiness programs for executives and regional leaders.
• Establish clear communication processes, approval workflows, and media response protocols.
• Lead all communication efforts during crisis situations to protect and strengthen company reputation.

Qualifications

• Experience 7-10+ years of experience in public relations, corporate communications, or agency account management (homebuilding, real estate, politics or related industry a plus).
• Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Business, or a related field.
• Master's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Business Administration, or related discipline.
• Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) or similar professional certification.

Skills

• Proven success developing and executing strategic public relations initiatives, managing agency partnerships, and leading integrated communications campaigns that drive measurable business results.
• Exceptional writing, editing, storytelling, and message-development skills with the ability to tailor communications for diverse audiences, channels, and executive stakeholders.
• Strong media relations expertise with established relationships across regional, national, trade, and industry media, and a demonstrated ability to secure high-impact earned media coverage.
• Confident and influential communicator with experience advising executives, preparing leaders for media engagements, and serving as a trusted communications partner to senior leadership.
• Demonstrated experience in reputation management, issues management, and crisis communications planning and response.
• Must be organized and efficient at completing administrative tasks and meeting deadlines.
• Intermediate Microsoft Office skills including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Proficient using Adobe Creative Suite.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Bonus opportunities
• Generous health care coverage including medical, dental and vision benefits for team members and dependents
• Flexible spending accounts
• Life and disability insurance
• 401(k) plan with company match
• A team member home purchase discount
• Paid time off
• Volunteer time off
• Education reimbursement
• Career development opportunities