Advisor - Public Relations (Memphis)

We are looking for a dynamic public relations professional who excels at strategic planning, knows instinctually how to connect the dots to drive brainstorms, cultivates valuable media opportunities and produces strong written material that informs and advances our PR goals.

The Advisor- Public Relations will deliver high-profile media campaigns for regional, national and global media to expand our donor reach and boost engagement through data-driven storytelling and audience-led content to demonstrate the impact of donor dollars. The Advisor - Public Relations must be driven by purpose each day to work in the fast-paced environment of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

This role will work with volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds, including influencers and brands representing some of the largest public and private companies in the country. The successful candidate must be comfortable working in the gray and open to trying new approaches to communications while serving in a leadership role.

Planning:

• Manages strategic media relations efforts for the Strategic Communications team within the Marketing division
• Develops and executes PR plans to support fundraising efforts
• Works effectively and professionally in a team environment to negotiate priorities to juggle multiple deadlines with success
• Maintains professional composure under pressure and follows through on projects with minimal direction and/or in ambiguous situations
• Makes recommendations on needs related to the use of internal and external assets to ensure the enhancement of the St. Jude brand with target audiences

Writing skills:

• Uses AP Stylebook Guidelines to consistently deliver error-free work with accurate context and packages ideas using data-driven storytelling to demonstrate the impact of donor dollars
• Assignments will include news releases, holding statements, reactive messaging, executive remarks, award nominations, PR plans, fact sheets, media briefs, messaging, coverage recaps and more

Media relations:

• Identifies creative ways to secure regional and national media coverage to drive fundraising and engagement
• Uses a high degree of autonomy to conduct outreach to reporters to work out logistics, scheduling, pre-arranged interview subjects and permissions with the appropriate teams in accordance with HIPAA
• Helps prepare leadership for interviews by producing comprehensive media briefs with relevant messaging
• Accompanies leadership to events and appearances for onsite media assistance as needed 

Reporting and analysis:

• Provides regular updates to the Manager of Public Relations, advises on overall media relations strategies for the team, and packages impactful and analytical media recaps in a timely manner
• Evaluates return on investment (ROI) to recommend PR strategies for the following year

Collaboration:

• Liaises with PR agencies and external business partner PR teams on campaign strategy PR materials and execution
• Supports PR colleagues with assignments identified by the PR manager who uses the MOCHA model

Solutions Driven:

• Strengthens company culture by showing up with curious questions and a willingness to try new approaches to communications in partnership with other functional areas, including Social Media, Entertainment Marketing, Enterprise Content, Marketing and Patient Family Outreach
• Maintains positive relationships by anticipating day-to-day needs of partners and providing timely support to address requests and challenges

Reputation management:

• Provides support on issues management and crisis communications for fundraising partners and organization as a whole
• Actively follows news of the organization and peer charities to inform messaging

Position Requirements

• Knowledge ordinarily acquired through a Bachelor's degree in journalism or related field with at least 7 years of relevant experience in journalism, public relations and/or marketing communications
• Experience in fundraising PR and financial communications is a plus
• Bilingual candidates preferred
• Thorough knowledge of journalism and/or communications/public relations
• Ability to speak and write in a clear and understandable manner for internal/external relations
• Thorough knowledge of spelling, grammar and usage
• Ability to understand complex verbal or written instructions
• Excellent typing skills, news writing and editing skills
• Excellent organizational and project management skills
• Thorough knowledge of Microsoft Office programs; news writing and editing knowledge
• Photographic knowledge including how to take photos and how to recognize a powerful photo
• Understanding how to build relationships with the media to secure coverage

To ensure the health and safety of the children and families at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as well as our donors, volunteers and colleagues, as a condition of employment, we require that employees adhere to ALSAC’s Vaccination Requirements, including COVID-19 Vaccination.

ALSAC is an equal employment opportunity employer. 

ALSAC does not discriminate against any individual with regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, disability, veteran status, genetic information or other protected status.