Senior PR & Communications Leader

TrulyHired; United States; On-site; USD 79,000 - 142,000; Full time

Job summary

Stride, Inc. is seeking a PR & Communications Senior Manager to drive cross‑pod strategy, shape national media and brand programs, and lead crisis communications with a calm, high‑impact approach.

You’ll work across three pods to keep priority initiatives moving and coordinate executive communications. You will guide senior leaders and manage external agencies, translating organizational priorities into cohesive communications strategies, while navigating high‑visibility campaigns and rapid

Qualifications

• 7-10+ years in corporate communications spanning national media strategy, internal communications, brand and reputation, executive communications, and crisis communications
• Working knowledge of how PR and earned media influence AI-driven search, summaries, and generative platforms, and a clear point of view on how that is reshaping brand visibility and reputation
• Experience in K-12, higher education, or another highly regulated, mission-driven consumer sector strongly preferred
• Experience at a publicly traded company a plus
• Demonstrated success designing and leading large scale media programs, with the ability to speak to measurable outcomes such as share of voice, message pull-through, and reputation metrics
• Experience managing external agencies and cross-functional or matrixed teams
• Experience developing and coaching communications talent
• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Own and drive the Corporate Communications roadmap, working across the Media, Channels, and Enablement pods to keep priority projects and campaigns moving
• Partner with pod leads on annual planning, campaign calendars, and cross‑functional initiatives
• Shape national media and brand strategy that elevates Stride and our schools across education, consumer, and trade media
• Guide how the team builds reputation across earned media, owned channels, and emerging surfaces like AI and generative search
• Prepare executives and subject matter experts to be credible, confident spokespeople
• Lead crisis and issues communications planning, response, and recovery in partnership with the Senior Director
• Serve as the senior communications decision‑maker during crisis situations when the Senior Director is unavailable
• Lead without direct authority: set direction for pod members on cross‑team initiatives, hold people accountable to deadlines and quality, and develop the team's capability along the way
• Manage external PR agencies and consultants to ensure their work aligns with strategy and delivers measurable impact

Skills

Media strategy

Internal comms

Crisis comms

Executive comms

Leadership

Agency management

Strategic comms

AI in PR

Travel 20%

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree a plus

Job description

Stride, Inc. is seeking a PR & Communications Senior Manager to drive cross‑pod strategy, shape national media and brand programs, and lead crisis communications with a calm, high‑impact approach.

You’ll work across three pods to keep priority initiatives moving and coordinate executive communications. You will guide senior leaders and manage external agencies, translating organizational priorities into cohesive communications strategies, while navigating high‑visibility campaigns and rapid