Public Relations Specialist

Communications Group PR Specialist Job Description: AGENCY ROLE: ComGroup's clients are accustomed to receiving a superior level of service and value for their public relations investment. Our Public Relations Specialist's role serves a wide variety of agriculture, business, B2B, government and nonprofit clients. The PR Specialist works directly with our clients to create, implement and measure public relations campaigns. TEAM MEMBER: The PR Specialist works collaboratively within the client team to provide proactive and reactive public relations strategies, tactics and counsel to maintain and/or develop relationships with our clients and their audiences. Providing the best experience requires the PR Specialist to provide creative input to build PR campaigns that complement marketing, outreach and advertising strategies for every client. The ideal candidate should be motivated to take on the challenge of the exciting industry of public relations. PLANNING, MANAGEMENT, MONITORING & REPORTING: ComGroup's PR Specialist is a strategic thinker with exceptional implementation and communications skills that support our clients' business goals while simultaneously making the most effective use of the clients' resources. The ideal candidate will have an existing network of media relationships and an exceptional knowledge of the media relations process. The PR Specialist candidate should demonstrate knowledge and be prepared to provide sample work demonstrating experience in communications planning, PR strategy, news writing, media relations, content creation, content curation, event planning, social media management, social media writing, writing for web, writing for SEO, project management, oral communication skills and public speaking. The candidate should also understand and demonstrate proficient experience in writing content for and managing integrated communications programs. The PR Specialist reports to the Public Relations Manager and is responsible for assisting in the coordination of all activities overseen by the agency’s PR department including managing PR campaigns, and real-time monitoring and reporting. Flexibility, adaptability and the ability to learn quickly in various creative environments, while delivering quality work by tight deadlines, in occasionally challenging situations are key attributes. Producing measurable results for the client is a key performance indicator for the position. INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP: The PR Specialist must be current and knowledgeable about best practices in traditional, digital and other media with a willingness to continue learning as the industry evolves. Strong online, web, mobile and digital media skills are a requirement. The PR Specialist participates in ongoing professional development and stays informed of industry trends. The agency will provide membership to the Arkansas chapter of PRSA. The candidate must practice public relations in a manner consistent with the PRSA Code of Ethics. The agency will support pursuit of APR accreditation if the candidate is not already accredited. CLIENT MIX: The position has an emphasis on agriculture, technology, telecom, government and nonprofit clients. Experience working with trade media including print, digital, online, social, broadcast and auxiliary channels is a plus. TECHNICAL SKILLS: Superior PR writing skills, in accordance with industry best practices are a requirement. Media relations experience is a requirement. Skills in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and other business and communication tools are expected. EXPERIENCE and EDUCATION: A minimum of 3 years of related experience such as agency or non-profit experience a plus. This is not an entry-level position. A Bachelor's degree is required with preference given to those in public relations, marketing, advertising, mass communications, integrated communications, integrated marketing, digital marketing, business or a related field. This position is with an agency and requires the time typically known for agency work. This is not a 9-5 position (see "superior level of service" in the AGENCY ROLE section above) and as such may require occasional travel, weekend commitments and on-call PR availability. Job Type: Full-time COMPENSATION: Salary Range: $40,000 - $50,000 ABOUT THE FIRM: The Communications Group is an award-winning, Arkansas-based, full-service marketing and public relations firm established in 1987. Our passion is creating value for our clients. We do it by using powerful communication to solve business challenges. Our company is an integrated marketing and communications firm that emphasizes data-driven strategic planning, integrated, multi-channel implementation and responsive monitoring. Visit our website at ComGroup.com. CONTACT: For more information, contact Carson Horn, APR at 501-515-0849 or chorncomgroup.com.