PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER

Responsibilities

• 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

Requirements

• 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 License required.

Benefits

• WHEDA employees 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.