SPARK Strategic Ideas

PR Manager

Master Storyteller | Media Megaphone

Are you a natural storyteller who loves building relationships? We’re looking for an energetic and engaging co-star to help us spread the word about our clients. Instead of being a cog in a big-agency wheel, we’re looking for a new family member who wants to stretch professionally. Are you a people-person who loves making connections? Do you see yourself as a detailed-oriented writer who can see story ideas from a variety of angles? Do you love organizing the crazy in the quickly changing media landscape? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment surrounded by other passionate creatives? If so, we’d love to hear from you.

The Role of Our PR Manager

SPARK Strategic Ideas is seeking a public relations manager to help us get publicity for a variety of clients—from restaurants and retailers to real estate and B2B businesses. You’ll create annual plans, develop innovative ideas, and manage multiple projects. You’ll pull media databases using Cision, brainstorm story angles, write news releases, develop content, and pitch ideas to local, regional and national media outlets. You’ll plan and host media events such as grand opening sneak peeks, menu launches and business celebrations and occasionally provide media training and crisis support. You’ll help position our clients as the experts they are. And, to show off all of your success, you will track media placements with coverage reports.

About SPARK Strategic Ideas

SPARK’s mission is simple: To grow businesses, people and ideas. Our agency philosophy is to hire smart people that we like being around who are experts in what they do. We bring together a tribe of specialists to offer strategic planning, advertising, marketing, public relations, social media and digital services. Simply put, we love what we do and who we do it with. We have a strict “no meanies” policy—we know that even if a client has a large budget, it’s not worth it if you can’t enjoy the ride.

We’re busy—things are really cranking up around here, so we’re looking for a PR Manager who is a team player ready for adventure. We offer big agency service but have small agency appeal. Our best feature is our people. Hands down, that’s what we hear when we ask employees what is their favorite thing about working at SPARK. From bi-monthly team buildings to quarterly lunch ‘n learns, we enjoy being together and working together to grow our clients’ businesses and each other.

Call to Action

When you have the luxury of rising to do what you love, you get up first. When it comes to adding members to our team, we choose carefully. We choose superheroes. We wake up early for this stuff…and put a cape on. Think you’re our next superhero? Send us your cover letter, resume and recent writing samples to [email protected].

Major Tasks, Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities of the PR Manager

• Create and implement year-long communications strategies as part of an overarching public relations plan, including the coordination of details with the SPARK team, media partners, and vendors as well as the development of custom media databases.
• Manage client expectations and multiple evolving projects simultaneously.
• Collaborate with account service, social media, media planning/buying and creative teams to execute short and long-term projects on time, on budget and on strategy.
• Proactively cultivate and maintain network of close relationships with local, regional and national media partners and plan, manage & execute off-site media events.
• Write engaging news releases, pitch to media contacts and diligently follow-up to ensure quality placements and coverage.
• Work with both traditional and non-traditional (bloggers, social influencers, etc.) media contacts for story placements.
• Track and clip media placements and create coverage reports as well as regular recaps to prove results.
• Provide media training to clients and company spokespersons.

Requirements of the PR Manager

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations, Communications, Marketing or related field required
• A minimum of 4-6 years of professional experience, agency environment preferred
• Local media relationships preferred
• B2B public relations experience preferred
• Experience with Cision media software system
• Extreme attention to detail, strong organization and multi-tasking abilities for a fast-paced environment.  It’s crazy and we love it.
• Able to build strong relationships with media from local reporters to national writers. You want to invite your favorite news producer to your birthday party.
• Thorough understanding of AP Style. No googling allowed. You know this stuff.
• Strong writing skills with portfolio of news releases, story pitches, etc. We’re looking for newsworthy items that scream for attention. 
• Self-motivated individual able to work independently as well as collaborate with a larger team. Giddy up and round up the posse.
• Innovative and creative thinker. We think outside the circle.
• Above all, must focus on building relationships, have a passion for exceeding expectations and love learning… we work hard and love what we do. It shows in our work and in the results. Our success is built on our clients’ successes. Boring people and Debbie Downers need not apply!

SPARK Strategic Ideas