Public Relations Manager

The Sanford Housing Authority (SHA) is hiring!  If you are looking to join our team of dynamic professionals who thrive on promoting healthy, safe, sustainable, and affordable housing and community-centric programs, we want to hear from you. We have an immediate need for a Public Relations Manager. The Public Relations Manager oversees public relations (PR) and communications strategies to build a positive brand image for the organization and Central Carolina Strategic Developers (CCSD), the nonprofit organization formally dedicated to serving as SHA's real estate development arm.  The annual salary range for this onsite position is $45,779 - $67,228. As a full-time exempt role, the Executive Office Manager is eligible to participate in SHA's benefits program. The posting will be open until filled.  

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Public Relations Manager is a highly detail-oriented professional role with oversight of creating, implementing, promoting, and managing PR campaigns, media relations, and community engagement. Through building strong relationships with the public, media outlets, and stakeholders at large, the Public Relations Manager executes public-facing channels to shape the public perception of the brand and the organization's vision of becoming a housing authority of the future. This includes managing the tone, timing, and delivery of critical communications, social media platforms, website administration, and the CEO's communications (e.g., newsletters, video messages, social media posts, etc.). Serving as the primary contact for all media-related components, the Public Relations Manager collaborates closely with the CEO, senior leadership, and third-party partners to align messaging with the strategic Roadmap 2030 plan goals, media inquiries, and public awareness. The Public Relations Manager role is crucial in ensuring consistent, positive representation of the organization and ultimately enhancing SHA's brand reputation and credibility.  

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES

At a minimum, the Public Relations Manager will be responsible for successfully carrying out the following essential functions and duties in a professional and timely manner:

• Develop and execute digital marketing campaigns, optimize SEO channels for user engagement, and adjust strategies based on performance analysis, with an emphasis on meeting the goals of the Public Relations objectives in the Roadmap 2030 strategic plan, to enhance SHA's online presence, drive brand awareness, coordinate community relations, and oversee communications efforts.
• Responsible for developing and implementing a strategic communications program for social media management, website administration, digital marketing, event announcements, community outreach, virtual groups, E-news, press conferences,  and employee communications.
• Manage and grow social media accounts, creating engaging content and analyzing metrics.
• Lead rebranding projects, ensuring consistency across branding channels and implementing new digital tools.
• Responsible for cultivating and maintaining relationships with media outlets, journalists, and influencers to secure favorable coverage, public perception, and PR campaign outcomes.
• Manage crisis communications by coordinating timely statements during crises or sensitive situations, advising the CEO on the appropriate tone, timing, and delivery of critical messaging.
• Conduct market research to inform marketing strategies and maintain updates with digital marketing trends.
• Promote public awareness of SHA and its affiliates' achievements through story generation and placement of client and partnership successes.
• Manage the design, development, and execution of communications programs, including audio-visual productions, advertising, photographic services, speeches, graphic arts, and publications.
• Develop and maintain relationships with community partners and stakeholders, plan and execute community events and activities, and promote the organization's mission through various media channels.
• Responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing public press conferences, working with PR third-party agencies and other news media when necessary. 
• Draft speeches, talking points, and public statements on behalf of the CEO, and prepare detailed briefings for the CEO in advance of media interviews, public forums, and board meetings.
• Act as the brand ambassador for the organization, delivering SHA's vision within the local community.
• Attend relevant events and activities to represent SHA and build strong relationships with key community members.
• Develop campaigns that highlight SHA's transformation and visionary leadership, ensuring all public messaging reflects the CEO's vision and SHA's brand.
• Produces high-quality content for the website, social media, marketing materials, videos, podcasts, fundraising, and other printed and digital platforms. 
• Manage social media channels, utilizing Hootsuite software for scheduling and analyzing content performance metrics such as views, engagement, and conversion rates to inform future content strategies.
• Serve as the in-house videographer to fulfill internal and external content needs for SHA and the CCSD, which includes recording of the board meetings, staff speaking engagements, and other opportunities to capture live footage.
• Develop & monitor an internal editorial calendar through Monday.com project management software to ensure consistent content production and timely delivery.
• Coordinate end-of-year report and an online version of the report for SHA and its instrumentalities to convey the accomplishments' stories.
• Undertake other work-related duties and special projects assigned by the CEO or other senior leadership members, including research, evaluation, analysis, reporting, resolution, and internal and external communications to support strategic goals as required.

*This list is not all-inclusive, as other duties may be assigned as needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor's degree in marketing, public relations, communications, journalism, information technology, or a related field is required. 

Experience: Minimum of five (5) years of progressive responsibility and experience in communications, public and community relations, event planning, social media management, digital content management, intergovernmental affairs, journalism, or marketing.

*Equivalent combinations of education, training, and experience may be considered or substituted in place of the education and experience criteria stated above.

Qualifications, Knowledge, & Skills: To be optimally successful in this role, the ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

• Proficiency in digital marketing, social media, website analytics, rebranding, and content creation.
• Hands-on knowledge in SEO, SEM, digital analytics tools, and information security.
• Creative thinker with a strategic approach to storytelling and brand positioning.
• Proven track record of successful PR campaigns and brand management.
• Exceptional media relations skills with an established network of media contacts.
• Ability to manage crisis communications effectively.
• Strong project management skills.
• Analytical mindset with experience in PR metrics and reporting.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to create and publish engaging content and analyze social media data to track performance and optimize strategies.
• Ability to stay current with the latest trends in digital content and social media.
• Capability to build and maintain strong cross-functional relationships with key internal stakeholders.
• Solid understanding of managing the tone, messaging, and imagery across multi-channel marketing platforms.
• Experience in optimizing the content of search engines and social media platforms to increase visibility and reach, including evaluating the effectiveness of marketing strategies on consumer engagement.
• Ability to develop SHA and the CCSD marketing and branding presence throughout all social media channels.
• Strong attention to detail with editing and proofreading content for accuracy, grammar, and style.
• Knowledge of communication, media, branding concepts, public relations strategies, procedures, and ethics.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to stand, sit, walk, and talk or hear regularly. Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Visual and auditory acuity to perform essential job functions, including reading, typing, and participating in meetings and phone/video calls.  

BENEFITS

SHA offers a competitive benefits package including the following options: health care (medical, vision, & dental); retirement plan; life/Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; short- and long-term disability coverage; education reimbursement; and paid time off.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

The Public Relations Manager role is primarily office-based, with occasional onsite visits to housing developments, construction sites, and facilities. SHA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). The organization's mission is to provide quality and affordable housing to all persons while empowering families, creating a sense of community, and building partnerships.