Senior Public Relations Manager

Louisiana Economic Development; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Louisiana Economic Development is seeking an experienced Senior Manager of Strategic Communications & Public Relations to shape Louisiana's economic narrative locally and nationally. You will lead proactive earned media efforts, build enduring relationships with national reporters, and craft strategy that positions Louisiana as a hub for business, investment and innovation.

You will work with the Executive Director of Communications to guide statewide storytelling, translate complex policy

Qualifications

• Seven or more years of experience in public relations, strategic communications, public affairs, journalism or related field.
• Proven success developing and executing proactive earned media strategies.
• Exceptional writing, editing, storytelling and verbal communications skills.
• Strong understanding of the national media landscape and what makes a local or state story nationally relevant.
• Ability to translate complex business, policy and economic topics for general audiences.
• Strong relationship-building skills with executives, journalists, business leaders and government officials.
• Preferred: existing relationships with national business, economic, financial, technology, industry or political media.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a proactive earned media strategy to increase Louisiana's national presence.
• Build and maintain relationships with national reporters, editors, producers and columnists.
• Identify, develop and pitch Louisiana stories with national relevance.
• Create opportunities for national profiles, interviews and editorial engagements.
• Connect Louisiana’s economic story to national and global trends.
• Develop media strategies around major investments and LED initiatives beyond announcements.
• Collaborate with LED teams to extend earned media across digital and social channels.

Skills

Proactive media relations

Strategic communications

Excellent writing

National media landscape

Relationship building

Crisis communications

Public affairs

Job description

Louisiana Economic Development is seeking an experienced public relations and strategic communications professional to help shape how Louisiana's economic story is told locally and nationally.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Communications, the Senior Manager of Strategic Communications & Public Relations will lead LED's proactive public relations and earned media efforts, with a particular focus on expanding Louisiana's presence in national business, economic and industry media.

This person will identify stories before they become headlines, build relationships with journalists and other influential voices, and find opportunities to put Louisiana into national conversations about business, investment, innovation and economic growth.

The role requires someone who understands the intersection of business, government, politics and media. This is not a traditional government public information officer role. Success will be measured not simply by responding to the news cycle, but by helping create it.

Work Experience

Key Responsibilities

National Media & Public Relations

• Develop and execute a proactive earned media strategy, with a strong emphasis on increasing Louisiana's presence in national business, economic, financial and industry media.
• Build and maintain relationships with national reporters, editors, producers, columnists and other influential voices covering business, economic development, technology, manufacturing, energy, trade and other priority sectors.
• Identify, develop and pitch Louisiana stories with relevance beyond the state's borders.
• Create opportunities for national profiles, feature stories, interviews, trend pieces, podcasts, editorial engagements and other high-impact coverage.
• Connect Louisiana's economic story to broader national and global trends, identifying moments when the state can credibly enter or help shape the conversation.
• Develop proactive media strategies around major investments, Louisiana businesses, emerging industries and LED initiatives rather than relying solely on announcement-driven coverage.
• Build relationships with Louisiana media and work strategically with in-state outlets on stories that can help shape broader public understanding and generate national interest.

Strategic Communications & Storytelling

• Work with the Executive Director of Communications to execute LED's broader communications strategy and statewide economic narrative.
• Identify compelling stories about the businesses, workers, communities and industries shaping Louisiana's economy.
• Translate complex business, economic and policy issues into clear, engaging communications that connect with general audiences.
• Look beyond capital investment and job numbers to tell the larger story of what economic growth means for Louisiana businesses and communities.
• Develop communications strategies around agency priorities, major initiatives and emerging opportunities.
• Collaborate with LED's content and creative teams to extend earned media opportunities across digital, social and other communications channels.

Thought Leadership

• Identify opportunities to position LED leadership and Louisiana business leaders as credible voices in national conversations about economic development and business competitiveness.
• Develop opportunities for interviews, contributed content, podcasts, panels, conferences and other platforms that reach priority audiences.
• Monitor national news and industry trends to identify timely opportunities for Louisiana perspectives, proof points and stories.
• Help develop distinctive points of view that give national audiences a reason to pay attention to what is happening in Louisiana.

Relationships & Reputation

• Build a strong network across national media, Louisiana business, economic development, industry and government.
• Develop relationships with companies and partners that create new opportunities for joint storytelling and national exposure.
• Understand the environment surrounding LED's work and navigate sensitive issues with sound judgment.
• Help strengthen Louisiana's reputation among business decision-makers and the broader public.

Issues Management

• Monitor national and state media coverage, emerging issues and conversations affecting Louisiana's economic reputation.
• Identify opportunities to proactively address misconceptions or provide context around complex issues.
• Partner closely with LED's engagement team to identify emerging grassroots concerns and community conversations early, develop proactive communications strategies, and ensure local stakeholders have clear, timely information before issues escalated.
• Support the Executive Director of Communications on reputation management, crisis communications and rapid response when needed.

Qualifications

Required

• Seven or more years of experience in public relations, strategic communications, corporate communications, public affairs, journalism or a related field.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing proactive earned media strategies.
• Exceptional writing, editing, storytelling and verbal communications skills.
• Strong understanding of the national media landscape and what makes a local or state story nationally relevant.
• Ability to translate complex business, policy and economic topics for general audiences.
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to work effectively with executives, journalists, business leaders, government officials and community partners.
• Sound judgment and the ability to operate effectively in a highly visible environment.

Preferred

• Existing relationships with national business, economic, financial, technology, industry or political media.
• Experience securing national earned media coverage.
• Experience in corporate communications, public relations agency work, economic development, business journalism or public affairs.
• Experience working with senior executives or other high-profile principals.
• Knowledge of Louisiana's business, policy and economic landscape.