Director, Public Relations
Mattress Firm is excited to announce the opening of the Director of Public Relations role! The Director of Public Relations, reporting directly to the Vice President of Communications, develops and leads the execution of Mattress Firm’s external communications and reputational strategy.
The position will oversee promotional and consumer public relations strategy and plan execution, crisis mitigation, thought leadership initiatives and support Corporate Social Responsibility and national sponsorship efforts.
This role will manage agency relationships and partner closely with cross-functional internal stakeholders in internal communications, marketing, merchandising and legal.
Essential Responsibilities :
- Develop and implement an integrated public relations strategy in alignment with Mattress Firm’s overall business objectives, and in support of its purpose, mission and values.
- Oversee media relations, including developing strategies tailored to each event or announcement.
- Serve as Mattress Firm’s primary media contact and build and maintain strong relationships with journalists and reporters.
- Mitigate and manage consumer issues and crises and develop proactive and reactive media strategies and holding statements.
- Establish, track and report KPIs and analyze all metrics and key learnings.
- Define PR agency scope of work and manage agency partners.
- Manage public relations budget including setting annual fiscal allocation, tracking expenses and ensuring effective and efficient use of resources.
- Leverage cultural and consumer insights to develop functional goals and objectives that drive proactive brand awareness.
- Ensure all corporate spokespeople are media trained and create media interview briefing books as required.
- Demonstrate clear understanding of media landscape and key industry and consumer target audiences.
- Demonstrate advanced writing and public speaking abilities and experience in message development for various audiences (internal executives, media, external partners, etc.).
- Collaborate with internal communications to promote brand narrative, highlight positive news articles and support corporate social responsibility and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts.
- Proactively pitch and respond to media inquiries as needed.
- Travel 10-15%
Non-essential Responsibilities :
- Must have demonstrated ability to set strategic direction and consistently lead execution of initiatives while managing direct report(s).
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced retail environment, consistently meet deadlines, quickly adapt to change and excel under pressure.
- High emotional intelligence and executive presence, with a proven ability to influence and build
partnerships at all levels of the organization.
- Driven strategic thinker with proven ability to work cross-functionally and exert influence without direct authority.
- Demonstrate a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Proactive and results-oriented.
- Regularly assess external strategy, evaluate results and provide thoughtful analysis and solutions as needed.
- Copyedit, proofread and revise communications materials as needed.
- Oversee the development of media kits and manage online newsroom.
- Complete other projects and special assignments as requested by supervisor and / or Senior Management.
- Ability to develop and proof communications materials.
- Coordination, scheduling and some administrative tasks as needed for department.
Knowledge Requirements :
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to create partnerships within industry and community.
- Must have strong media relations experience, preferably in retail.
- Extensive media contacts in North America (traditional and non-traditional); existing relationships in related industry a plus.
- Experience with media monitoring and database tools.
- Ability to produce clear, informative and persuasive content that is audience appropriate.
- Ability to quickly learn and adapt to new technologies, including database management.
- Ability to read and interpret reports, budgets and business results.
Education / Training
- Bachelor’s degree in communications / PR or journalism or with 6-10 years of experience in Public Relations, Communications, Marketing or a related field
- Minimum of 4-5 years leading a team of direct reports
- Master’s degree in communications a plus
- Additional certifications or PR accreditation a plus
Pay Range : $150,000-165,000
$150,000-165,000
Now don’t fall asleep out there the sooner that we receive your application, the closer you are to the career of your dreams!
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