US Communications & PR Manager (East Coast Hybrid)

IRIS Software Group; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

IRIS Software Group is seeking a Communications & PR Manager for the US market. You will own the US PR strategy, build relationships with business, technology and trade media, and drive executive visibility across accounting, payroll and HR software.

You’ll work with a global team and a leading US agency to tell compelling data-led stories. You’ll lead proactive storytelling, manage crisis communications, and ensure consistent messaging aligned to IRIS brand across markets, elevating the

Qualifications

• 5+ years in PR or corporate communications.
• Strong US media relationships with trade, business and tech outlets.
• Ability to translate complex tech/AI topics into credible stories.
• Experience in crisis and issues communications.
• Excellent writing, editing and messaging discipline.
• Familiarity with accounting, payroll or HR sectors is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead US PR programme and build relationships with priority media.
• Align activity with AI visibility and broader corporate strategy.
• Engage with sector stakeholders to uncover newsworthy stories.
• Develop executive thought leadership and media readiness.
• Manage crisis and rapid-response communications.
• Coordinate agency partners and ensure high-quality outputs.
• Measure impact with coverage, share of voice and messaging pull-through.

Skills

PR experience

US media relations

Crisis communications

Executive visibility

Writing & editing

Job description

About IRIS

IRIS Software Group is one of the UK's largest privately held software companies, trusted by 100,000+ businesses, schools and accountancy firms to keep their operations running. Our software pays 1 in 6 UK employees, supports over 12,000 schools, and is relied on by 91 of the top 100 UK accountancy firms.

We're a Great Place to Work® certified employer, recognised for our commitment to well-being, inclusion and development - and we're growing fast.

Overview

The United States is one of IRIS' most important growth markets, and we're looking for a Communications & PR Manager to help shape how we're seen, heard and understood across the region.

This is a unique opportunity to take ownership of communications and PR in the US market. Working alongside an experienced global communications team and supported by a leading US PR agency, you'll drive the strategy, build executive profiles, strengthen media relationships and bring compelling stories to life across accounting, payroll, HR and business software.

You'll work closely with senior leaders across the business, helping to elevate IRIS' reputation, increase visibility for our experts and ensure we're part of the conversations that matter most to our customers and industries.

We're looking for someone who combines strong PR instincts with commercial awareness, sound judgement and a desire to take on greater ownership. This role offers significant scope to make an impact while developing your career within a global, high-growth software business.

Location

Candidates must be based on the US East Coast.

Key Responsibilities

• US PR and media relations: Build and lead the US PR programme, developing relationships with priority business, technology and trade media across accounting, payroll and HR. Create a strong pipeline of proactive stories, data‑led angles and reactive commentary that grows IRIS’ visibility and share of voice, while identifying opportunities for global storytelling that can be amplified across other markets.

• AI visibility: Align PR activity with IRIS’ wider AEO and AI visibility strategy, ensuring our stories, expertise and proof points strengthen how IRIS is represented across traditional media, search and AI‑powered discovery.

• Sector and stakeholder engagement: Partner with Accounting, Payroll and HR leaders to uncover newsworthy stories from across our products, customers and markets. Act as a trusted adviser, helping stakeholders identify and seize opportunities to raise IRIS’ profile.

• Executive visibility and thought leadership: Develop and deliver thought leadership and executive communications that build the profile of IRIS leaders and experts in the US, including bylines, commentary, speaking opportunities, awards and media interviews. Prepare spokespeople with briefings, messaging and coaching so they are confident and on‑message.

• Crisis and issues management: Support crisis and issues communications as needed, including monitoring, rapid‑response planning, holding statements and reactive media handling. Work with the wider Communications team and legal, security and sector leaders to protect IRIS' reputation and respond quickly and consistently when issues arise.

• Narrative and message consistency: Keep US earned media and stakeholder communications aligned to the IRIS brand narrative, messaging framework and tone of voice, so that what IRIS says in the press, on stage and in commentary tells one consistent story across markets and sectors.

• Agency and partner management: Manage US PR agency partners day to day, setting priorities, briefing work, reviewing outputs and holding them to a clear performance and quality bar so agency effort translates into results that matter to the business.

• Analyst and influencer awareness: Support relationships with relevant industry analysts, associations and influential voices in the accounting, payroll and HR communities, coordinating with the wider team so IRIS is represented consistently across earned and influencer channels.

• Measurement and reporting: Track, measure and report on the impact of PR activity, including coverage volume and quality, share of voice, message pull‑through and spokesperson visibility, and use those insights to steer where PR effort is invested so impact is evidenced rather than assumed.

Requirements

• 5+ years in PR, media relations or corporate communications, ideally in-house or agency-side supporting B2B technology, SaaS or professional services.

• A strong working knowledge of the US media landscape and proven relationships with, or the ability to quickly build relationships with, trade, business and technology journalists.

• Demonstrable experience securing high‑quality earned coverage and growing share of voice, from developing the angle through to landing the story.

• The ability to translate complex or technical subjects, including AI, into clear, credible, jargon‑free stories that resonate with buyers and the media. Experience communicating an AI or emerging‑technology narrative is a strong advantage.

• Experience supporting crisis and issues communications, with the judgement and composure to help handle sensitive situations calmly and quickly.

• Excellent writing and editing, with the judgement to set a quality bar and hold agencies and partners to it.

• Familiarity with the accounting, payroll and/or HR sectors, or a track record of getting up to speed quickly in specialist B2B markets.

• Experience managing PR agencies or external partners, briefing work and holding them accountable for results.

• Strong cross‑functional and stakeholder skills. This role leads through relationships, influence and clear standards rather than direct reports.

• Comfort with PR measurement, media monitoring and reporting tools, and the ability to connect activity to outcomes the business cares about.

• Experience in a PE‑backed, high‑growth or fast‑moving B2B environment is an advantage.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• Impact: Your work will influence millions globally.

• Growth: Continuous learning and career development opportunities.

• Belonging: A culture that celebrates diversity and empowers every individual.