Overview
We are looking for a strategic and collaborative public relations professional to lead external communications initiatives for Baptist Memorial Health Care, a mission-driven health care organization. This is a highly visible role with significant ownership and autonomy, reporting directly to the director of public relations and internal communications. The position is ideal for a creative storyteller and communications strategist who can identify meaningful media opportunities, shape public perception and strengthen brand visibility across health care and community-focused sectors.
This individual must be a strong writer and editor with experience in media relations, strategic communications, executive communications, issues management and event planning and must be a self-starter who can work independently, prioritize multiple projects and manage deadlines with minimal supervision. This individual must also be able to build working relationships across the business in a fast-paced, matrixed environment and be available to work some weekends and evenings for media issues, media inquiries and events.
The PR manager is responsible for the following:
Day-to-day PR Functions and Operations
- Overseeing and conducting day-to-day public relations functions for Baptist Memorial Health Care, including
- Telling Baptist Memorial’s story through traditional and digital media, etc.
- Writing and editing news releases, media advisories, executive thought leadership content, organizational statements, bylines and op-eds
- Responding to media inquiries and preparing talking points, briefing materials, Q&A documents and messaging guidance for spokespeople ahead of media and public appearances
- Identifying and pursuing creative public relations opportunities, including podcasts, awards programs, partnerships, community events and speaking engagements
- Maintaining essential public relations tools, updating content on the public relations newsroom, proofreading/editing newswriting, preparing reports that summarize and quantify the PR team’s activities and updating public relations policies
- Staying up to date with public relations trends to ensure the public relations staff uses best practices in their work
- Staying within an annual public relations division budget
- Having a working knowledge and expert use of Associated Press Style
- Helping schedule and manage video production
Media Relations and Event Planning
- Manage media inquiries in a timely manner, arranging interviews with the appropriate Baptist Memorial representatives, providing accurate information and monitoring all media coverage about Baptist
- Establishing media relationships or the ability to rapidly build strong journalist and media networks
- Organizing news events, media announcements, service launches and public-facing communications activities
PR Staff Supervision
- Supervising public relations employees, hiring and training PR staff, dealing with employee issues and concerns, promoting teamwork, mentoring and fostering professional growth, holding regular one-on-one meetings with the PR staff and ensuring staff have the necessary tools to perform top-quality work
- Continuously improving team processes and communications approaches
- Fostering a dedication to professional development, growth and advancement
Building Relationships and Providing Strategic Counsel
- Establishing communication with internal customers regarding their needs and expectations from PR and increasing customer satisfaction with the performance and results of PR efforts
- Acting as a strategic advisor, providing strategic counsel on high-impact communications, including crisis response, business continuity, customer messaging and stakeholder engagement
- Collaborating with marketing teams to align public relations initiatives with broader brand and campaign strategies
Issues Management and Crisis Support
- Supporting the director of public relations and internal communications in crisis management and staying apprised of issues that may affect Baptist Memorial’s reputation and the corporate communications department
- Advising clients on reputational risk, emerging public issues and communications strategy
Media Monitoring
- Monitoring, tracking and analyzing media coverage, media trends and industry conversations to identify timely and relevant opportunities for brand visibility and public engagement
- Maintaining media databases, tracking media coverage and regularly reporting on reach, audience sentiment and campaign impact
The PR manager must also uphold the following Baptist Values:
- Friendly, Compassionate and Responsive Service
- Fairness and Respect for the Individual
- Teamwork and Trust
- Continuous Improvement
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have
- A bachelor’s degree in communications or a similar major
- At least five years of experience in public relations, media relations, issues management or a related field
- Strong written and verbal communications skills
- Experience working in a corporate environment with people at all levels of an organization, from frontline workers to senior leaders
- Demonstrated success in earned media strategy and public relations campaign execution
- Ability to manage multiple priorities under deadline pressure
- Ability to thrive in a remote environment
- Experience supervising public relations professionals and social media experience is a plus