PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER

WISCONSIN HOUSING & ECONOMIC; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

WHEDA—Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority—seeks a Public Relations Officer in Madison to lead communications strategies that promote WHEDA’s mission, programs, and policies to diverse audiences. You will shape messaging, manage media relations, and craft speaking points and content that elevate WHEDA’s impact on affordable housing.

Reporting to the Marketing and Communications department, this in-office role evolves toward hybrid scheduling after training.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in public relations, communications, media relations, journalism, or closely related field and 8–10 years of progressively responsible experience, including 3 years in public relations; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Knowledge of affordable housing, finance, and/or public sector government preferred
• Valid Driver’s License required

Responsibilities

• Develop communications plans and strategies for new product launches, core products, competitive loan awards, organizational announcements, and WHEDA’s impact.
• Serve as the primary contact for local, national, and industry news media; build relationships, arrange interviews, draft statements, and manage the media database.
• Research and craft thought leadership to establish WHEDA as the authority on housing; place op-eds and other content; track media coverage.
• Support press conferences, speaking events, and WHEDA annual conference by preparing executive remarks, talking points, speeches, and briefing materials for leadership; coordinate with state partners as required.
• Manage editorial calendar and content strategies for websites, media, and campaigns; monitor trends and issues influencing media inquiries.
• Cultivate relationships with media, community partners, industry representatives, staff, and government partners to advance goals.
• Assist in monitoring and updating the Crisis Communication Plan; develop talking points for tenant concerns and negative coverage; support internal communications.
• Contribute to strategic communications planning and advise management on needs and tools.
• Copyediting and proofreading to ensure accuracy and brand consistency; perform other duties as assigned

Skills

Public relations

Media relations

Crisis communications

Strategic communications

Writing & editing

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in public relations or related field

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER

COMMUNICATIONS Regular Full-Time Professional Madison, WI, US

Salary Range: $79,710.00 To $99,123.00 Annually

WHY WHEDA?

WHEDAserves Wisconsin residents and communities by working with others to provide creative financial and technical resources to stimulate and preserve affordable housing, small businesses, and agriculture.

WHEDAemployees participate in the State of Wisconsin benefit package ( https://www.wheda.com/about-wheda/careers/benefits ). WHEDA offers an excellent benefits package that includes: Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance, State Retirement plan; 457 Deferred Compensation, Group Term Life Insurance (and optional term life insurance for family members), Disability Insurance, paid sick leave, paid vacation time twenty eight (28) personal holiday hours, Twelve (12) paid legal holidays per year, tuition reimbursement program.

WHEDAis an equal opportunity and Affinecative Action employer seeking a diverse and talented workforce. Veterans are also encouraged to apply.

WHEDAhas a remote work policy where certain employees may enjoy a hybrid or remote work schedule, based on position and business needs. See more details below related to this specific position.

WHEDA is seeking a Public Relations Officer to join our Marketing and Communications department in our Madison facility.

SALARY: Hiring Range for this position is from $79,710-$99,123 Annually. Offered Salary will be based on qualifications and internal pay equity. WHEDA provides a competitive salary, and WHEDA employees participate in the State of Wisconsin benefit package which includes retirement, health insurance and deferred compensation programs.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Public Relations Officer develops and implements communications strategies to promote WHEDA’s mission, programs, and policies to internal and external audiences. The role will lead high-level strategy and engaging storytelling to convey WHEDA’s impact on affordable housing and focuses on media relations, written content, coordinated messaging, and speechwriting that strengthen the visibility and credibility of WHEDA programs, products, and initiatives.

This is a non-supervisory position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

• Develop communications plans and strategies for new product launches, core products, competitive loan awards, organizational announcements, and examples of WHEDA’s impact. Serve as the primary contact for local, national, and industry news media. Build and maintain media relationships, arrange interviews, draft statements, and manage the media database. Research and craft thought leadership to establish WHEDA as the authority on housing. Place op-eds and other content to advance the Authority’s mission. Track, report, and analyze media coverage.
• Support press conferences, speaking events, and the WHEDA annual conference by preparing executive remarks, talking points, speeches/presentations, and briefing materials for executive leadership. Coordination with the Governor’s Office and other State Agencies as required. Write media advisories, develop media pitches, and track event coverage. Promote events through WHEDA’s online, social channels, and internal newsletter.
• Manage the editorial calendar, identify external/internal content needs, and opportunities for engagement. Develop and implement content strategies for websites, media, and campaigns. Identify trends, key issues, and emerging legislation that will drive media inquiries. Use social media monitoring and media tracking to analyze and improve communication. Ensure all messaging is consistent, accurate, meets brand standards, and promotes a positive image of WHEDA.
• Cultivate relationships with media, community partners, industry representatives, WHEDA staff, subject matter experts, board members, and government partners/agencies to strengthen mission alignment and advance organizational goals.
• Assist in monitoring, testing, and updating WHEDA’s Crisis Communication Plan. Develop new approaches to address complex, sensitive, and nuanced public affairs challenges, including timely concerns and issues-related inquiries. Create and implement plans and talking points to address tenant concerns, sentiment about affordable housing, public records requests, and negative media coverage. Support internal communications of policies, onboarding, intranet, and the monthly newsletter.
• Contribute to strategic communications planning for internal and external stakeholders. Advise management on communications needs, technology tools, and recommend improvements.
• Copyediting and proofreading skills to ensure accuracy, message consistency, and brand standards across marketing channels and business units. Performs or assists with other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree (or higher) in public relations, communications, media relations, journalism, or closely related field AND 8-10 years of progressively responsible experience related to one of the above areas, including 3 years of public relations; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Knowledge of affordable housing, finance, and/or public sector government preferred.
• Valid Driver’s Licenserequired.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Public relations principles and best practices
• Relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills
• Communications policies and procedures
• Project management and organizational skills
• Crisis communications and issues management
• Navigate complex issues, translate technical information
• Identifying, analyzing, and solving problems
• Strong adherence to confidentiality in working with clients and vendors
• Attention to detail and process improvement
• Meets deadlines, effective prioritization, and workload management

Remote Work Options:

This position has a work schedule that will initially be 100% in-office. After training is complete, it is at the discretion of the direct manager when the employee may begin a hybrid work schedule.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: This position will remain posted until filled.

• Please note- no exceptions will be made after closing date

Questions may be directed to [e-mail].

This position is not eligible for a work-related immigration visa sponsorship.

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An Equal Opportunity Employer Operating Under an affirmative Action Plan.

To be considered for positions all applications must be complete.