Press Secretary, Commerce

Indiana Economic Development Corporation; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 100,000 - 108,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan options

Wellness Rewards Program

Education Reimbursement Program

Free Parking

Job summary

A state government organization in Indianapolis seeks an experienced Press Secretary to manage media relations and develop communication strategies supporting the Governor's objectives. The ideal candidate will have a degree in communications, significant media experience, and excellent communication skills. Responsibilities include serving as the press liaison, crafting messaging, and addressing media inquiries. This position offers a salary range of $100,000 to $108,000 annually, alongside comprehensive state benefits.

Qualifications

• 5-8 years’ experience working with the press.
• Proven ability to think strategically about public information.
• Strong understanding of the media landscape, including traditional and digital.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the main press contact and manage media relations.
• Develop communication strategies that promote the Governor's goals.
• Compose and edit press releases and public statements.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Strategic thinking

Crisis management

Media relations

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism or related field

Job description

Indiana Economic Development Corporation provided pay range

This range is provided by Indiana Economic Development Corporation. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$100,000.00/yr - $108,000.00/yr

About Indiana Economic Development Corporation:

Bring your biggest and boldest ideas to life as an employee of the IEDC. We are a fast‑paced and forward‑thinking team charged with pursuing economic development opportunities for current and future Hoosiers in our state and around the world. Our culture embodies the spirit of being bold and working collaboratively to create the economy of the future.

The IEDC is organized as a public private partnership led by the Secretary of Commerce and governed by a board chaired by the Governor of Indiana.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation has been recognized as one of the 2023, 2024, and 2025 Top Workplaces by Indianapolis Star.

Role Overview:

Fast-paced Indiana Office of Commerce seeks to hire a seasoned Press Secretary. This highly motivated candidate must be a critical thinker and excellent communicator, with the ability to work with all stakeholders to establish strong rapport and relations with the community and press.

The primary role of the Press Secretary is to act as the primary spokesperson for the Commerce Vertical, managing its relationship with the media to ensure that Commerce objectives, achievements, and messages are communicated in a strategic, efficient, and coordinated way across all media. The Press Secretary will also prepare the Secretary and other spokespeople for all engagements, interviews and appearances, and advise leadership on public image.

The Press Secretary will monitor all media coverage, develop and direct the Commerce Vertical’s media strategy, respond to media inquiries, write, distribute and pitch stories, send press releases, manage press events, and aggressively ensure accurate and positive press coverage of all Commerce activity and achievements. The Press Secretary will also direct and manage strategic crisis communications protocol as necessary.

Salary Statement:

The salary range for this position is $100,000 - $108,000 annually.

A Day in the Life:

• Media relations: Serve as the main point of contact for journalists, respond to inquiries, and provide information to the press. Build relationships with new and existing media contacts, continuously grow press list and identify new media outlets and reporters to cover our stories. Articulate complex policies in an understandable way to foster transparency and public trust.
• Strategic communication: Develop and implement communication strategies that promote the Governor's Commerce goals. Work with EA to assess interview or site visit requests to Secretary or other staff.
• Media Inquiry management: Correspond with reporters to determine angle of story, work with Chief Communication Office and Governor’s office to determine most appropriate response. Confirm with accuracy of response with relevant staff. Respond to social media comments, when necessary.
• Content creation: Compose and edit press releases, quotes, statements, talking points, speeches, background documents, and other materials for publication. Proactively pitch stories and interviews to individual reporters, and place op-eds in targeted media outlets.
• Principal support: Prep and accompany the Secretary on all external engagements; confirm all programmatic elements in advance to ensure a successful event appearance.
• Crisis management: Manage timely media responses during crises, maintaining accessibility, transparency, and credibility under pressure.
• Media monitoring: Track media coverage to monitor public opinion and respond as needed.

What You'll Need for Success:

Education:

• A bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field is required.
• Minimum 5-8 years’ experience working with the press.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills are paramount.
• Proven ability to think strategically about how to present information and manage public perception.
• Proven deep understanding of the media landscape, including traditional and digital platforms.
• Political acumen: A strong understanding of government, politics, and policy. Prior government experience highly preferred.
• Outstanding attention to detail and the ability to juggle priorities and bring closure to work under tight deadlines.
• Strong organizational and project management skills to handle competing tasks and deadlines.

Ability to:

• Excel in a fast‑paced, deadline‑oriented team environment.
• Effectively communicate information and ideas to multiple audiences.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Present polished and professional appearance and demeanor at all times.
• Exercise excellent judgment: prioritize and manage a wide array of projects to completion.
• Remain calm and effective in fast paced and high‑pressure work environment.
• Reliable, accountable, resilient, and collaborative.
• Be comfortable working directly with senior leadership.
• Be responsive and work outside of normal office hours, including weekends.
• Occasionally travel to various locations around the state.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full‑time employees which includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans.
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards.
• Health savings account, which includes bi‑weekly state contribution.
• Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match.
• Two (2) fully‑funded pension plan options.
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
• 160 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers.
• Up to 16 hours of paid community service leave.
• Combined 192 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off.
• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years.
• Education Reimbursement Program.
• Group life insurance.
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits.
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Free Parking for most positions.
• Free LinkedIn Learning access.

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at [e-mail].

Seniority level

Associate

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Public Relations Government Administration