Head of External Communications

Responsibilities

• Own and execute SPS's day-to-day public relations program in partnership with our PR agency, including media strategy, proactive story pitching, reactive media response, and executive visibility initiatives
• Co-manage ongoing relationships with industry analysts including Gartner, Forrester, and IDC — scheduling and attending briefings, managing briefing documents, recording outcomes, and coordinating analyst inputs into research reports, rankings, and market landscape placements
• Serve as a primary point of contact for reporters and trade press, managing inbound media inquiries, coordinating interviews, and reviewing press release drafts, briefing documents, and talking points
• Partner with Marketing, Investor Relations, Internal Communications, Product, Legal, and executive stakeholders to ensure PR and AR activity is coordinated, accurate, and reflects a consistent company narrative across all external touchpoints
• Manage relationships with external PR agency and vendors, guiding day-to-day execution, monitoring deliverables against budget, and ensuring output aligns with brand voice and messaging guidelines
• Track and report on PR and AR performance metrics including media coverage, share of voice, sentiment, and analyst positioning, using data-driven insights to continuously refine program strategy
• Lead, coach, and develop the Sr. Social Media Manager and Influencer Marketing Manager through regular feedback, career development support, and clear priorities that keep social media and UGC execution aligned with broader external communications goals
• Support the development of holding statements, FAQs, and response plans for sensitive or time-critical issues, coordinating with Legal and leadership as needed

Requirements

• 5-7 years of experience in public relations, analyst relations, or corporate communications, ideally within a B2B technology, SaaS, or supply chain environment
• Demonstrated experience building and managing relationships with industry analysts including Gartner, Forrester, and IDC, and coordinating briefings, inquiries, and report submissions
• Established media relationships and a track record of securing earned media coverage in trade, business, or technology press
• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills with the ability to translate complex or technical topics into clear, compelling narratives for media and analyst audiences
• Experience managing external PR and AR agencies, including budget oversight and quality control of deliverables
• Sound judgment in navigating sensitive topics, reactive media situations, and time-critical issues with the ability to remain calm and clear under pressure
• Proven ability to influence senior executives and stakeholders with messaging and content, and experience presenting to senior audiences
• Proficiency with media monitoring and analytics tools, with the ability to translate coverage and sentiment data into actionable insights
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders simultaneously
• Experience partnering with executives to prepare for interviews, briefings, and speaking opportunities

Benefits

• SPS Commerce offers a comprehensive package of benefits including health, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, paid time-off, 401(k), health and flexible spending accounts, stock purchase plan and more.
• Commitment to our Employees: At SPS we power connections that drive the world of commerce forward, and our success depends on making strong decisions, fostering innovation, delivering unparalleled customer solutions, and driving outstanding business performance. We achieve this by creating an environment where every employee feels a true sense of belonging. We embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring everyone feels accepted, valued, and empowered to make a meaningful impact.