Career Center

The Manager, Communications position designs and implements integrated strategic communications campaigns and events that cultivate SME’s relationships with media, engage our target audience and boost our brand awareness to include media relations, thought leadership, social media, events, and Web content development. This position serves as the primary liaison with internal clients providing counsel on internal communication services, manages the Communication Specialists, and monitors and reports on team members performance.

MAJOR FUNCTIONS

Leadership

• Develop and execute integrated communications and public relations strategies aligned with SME’s strategic direction and major market trends
• Build, lead and mentor a high-performing engaged communication team to support the SME business units
• Develop annual performance goals, metrics and incentives; track performance metrics and conducts annual performance reviews
• Report on team performance against business unit objectives and SME strategic plan

Media Relations

• Identifies key national, regional, and manufacturing trade and business media targets to cultivate relationships and ensure SME positions and initiatives are represented accurately and in a timely fashion across in local, national and internal news outlets
• Oversees the development of messaging and pitches, press releases, editorials, and feature stories to ensure excellence and consistency in messaging
• Manages maintenance of active media contact database in manufacturing, business, local segments
• Provides counsel on inbound media opportunities from bona fide journalists
• Manages media metric tracking and reporting for the organization

Thought Leadership

• Develops and executes thought leadership initiatives consistent with individual business unit goals and SME’s Strategic Plan, including proactively identifying speaking opportunities for SME executives at industry events and media opportunities with Manufacturing, Business, and General Interest (including local Detroit) media outlets
• Oversees the creation of white papers, annual reports, podcasts, and other communications to ensure excellence and consistency in messaging
• Manages the development of executive speech drafts for industry activities and SME events; creating and managing executive itineraries for speaking opportunities; providing feedback on presentations and metrics/outcomes

Event Promotions

• Coordinates with the Marketing Team to develop broad communications strategy using earned media, owned channels and thought leadership to position SME events in a competitive marketplace, capture mindshare and drive attendance growth
• Manages promotion of business unit activities at SME events and Foundation activities, including SME Zone, SME PRIME launches and Student Summit activities

Social Media Management

• Manages SME’s centralized platform for all SME social channels
• Develops and executes integrated, annual social media content plan and editorial calendar for the SME social channels, including LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and the blog
• Reviews and edits all social media content across the organization to ensure excellence and brand and voice consistency prior to posting
• Analyzes and reports on platform metrics for continuous improvement

Miscellaneous

• Other duties as assigned to advance SME’s mission, vision, and purpose

MINIMUM EDUCATION, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree required; degree in Communications or public relations preferred
• 5-7 years of communications experience, including PR, media relations, and social media
• Minimum 3-5 years’ experience building and leading high-performance teams
• Strong connections/relationships with media outlets and key manufacturing industry press
• Strong media relations skills with an emphasis on campaign development
• Solid experience developing and executing successful communications outreach campaigns that drive business growth
• Demonstrated social media management experience – planning and execution
• Excellent presentation skills
• Ability to foster relationships with internal clients
• Solid writing and editing skills
• Knowledge of AP Style
• Experience with media and social media monitoring and analysis tools such as Falcon, Critical Mention and Business Wire

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Normal office environment
• Primary office location: Southfield, MI
• Regular, in-person attendance required
• Ability to travel

***OPEN TO REMOTE WORK ***

SME is an Equal Opportunity Employer.