Public Relations and Communications Specialist

$65,000 - $65,000/Yr

Ifs - Itasca, IL

Full-time - Mid Level

Itasca, IL

5,001-10,000 employees

Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, Book, and Miscellaneous Retailers

About the position

The Public Relations and Communications Specialist at IFS North America plays a crucial role in managing public relations efforts and enhancing the company's brand presence. This position involves overseeing PR agencies, driving social media initiatives, and creating thought leadership content to elevate corporate messaging and industry positioning. The specialist will develop and execute communication strategies that resonate with both internal and external audiences, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives.

Responsibilities

• Manage relationships with two PR agencies to ensure alignment with corporate messaging and maximize earned media opportunities.
• Identify industry trends and emerging topics to provide PR agencies with timely, relevant ideas for pitching and securing media coverage.
• Assist in the development and distribution of press releases to drive awareness and engagement.
• Conduct market research to identify relevant industry awards that align with the company's achievements and objectives.
• Lead the award nomination process, including gathering supporting materials, writing submissions, and managing deadlines.
• Oversee and execute regional organic social media posting to maintain a strong and consistent brand voice.
• Monitor social media performance and industry trends to refine strategies and increase engagement.
• Track and report on key social media metrics to measure effectiveness and inform future strategies.
• Collaborate with the marketing management team to develop a content strategy that aligns with key corporate messaging and objectives.
• Identify industry trends and emerging topics to create compelling thought leadership content that positions the company as an industry leader.
• Develop and maintain a content calendar to ensure timely delivery of strategic messaging.
• Assist in copywriting for internal communications, presentations, and other employee-facing collateral.
• Partner with senior leaders to create executive-level thought leadership materials, including speeches, articles, and op-eds.
• Provide support for the creation and editing of internal and external marketing materials, ensuring consistency in tone, style, and branding.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver high-quality content for campaigns, presentations, and events.
• Track, analyze, and report on key metrics related to PR activities, social media performance, and content engagement.
• Use insights from data to optimize strategies and demonstrate the value of marketing communications efforts.

Requirements

• Bachelors in marketing/journalism or equivalent experience required.
• 2-4 years of proven marketing communications experience.
• Experience in B2B marketing, specifically in business software applications.
• Strong communicator with exemplary writing skills for emails, blogs, briefing papers, white papers, and articles.
• Strong project management skills, along with excellent oral and written communications skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with senior members of the organization.
• Strong self-starter with personal initiative and drive.
• Strong time management skills and organization skills with attention to detail.

Nice-to-haves

• Positive attitude and relationship-building skills across internal teams.

Benefits

• Salary Range: $65,000 to $85,000 plus 5% bonus potential
• Flexible paid time off, including sick and holiday
• Medical, dental, & vision insurance
• 401K with Company contribution
• Flexible spending accounts
• Life insurance and disability benefits
• Tuition assistance
• Community involvement and volunteering events