SOFT's client, located in Newark, NJ is looking for a communications consultant for a long term contract assignment. This is a hybrid position, requiring on-site in NJ two to three days per week.

This position supports a business group, providing strategic communications to achieve the group's business objectives by collaborating with internal teams to develop creative, thoughtful, and impactful communications for internal and external audiences.

Seeking a candidate who can effectively collaborate with team members and demonstrate ownership of their projects. Responsibilities include drafting and preparing communications materials – articles, press releases, statements, briefing documents, internal communications, presentations and more. Supporting leaders at events and during media interviews. Pitching and securing media opportunities and responding to media inquiries. Preparing external and internal presentations for speakers. The successful candidate will be expected to build relationships with clients, including senior executives and technical staff, and leverage those relationships to ensure effective delivery of communications products; and partner with web and creative services staff and outside marketing agencies.

Required Skills, Competencies, Education or Experience:

• Bachelor's degree; prefer major in Communications, English, Journalism, or Business; and 6 – 8 years of experience in public relations and communications.
• Excellent writing and editing skills, with a demonstrated ability to tell stories with a journalistic approach that grabs attention and engages our target audiences.
• Media relations experience, including responding to media queries, developing storylines and pitching reporters, producing press releases, talking points, op-eds, etc.
• Demonstrated skill at taking story ideas from concept to launch – creating themes that resonate through media relations, social media, thought leadership initiatives, marketing, and internal messaging.
• Proficient in Microsoft Suite, especially PowerPoint.
• Experience in developing and managing internal communications, including employee newsletters and other communication channels.
• Understanding of social media and its application to business communications.
• Experience/ability to learn how to post information to company website and Intranet.
• Project management skills
• Strategic thinking with the ability to understand organizational goals and aid in developing communications strategies that align with business goals.
• Capacity to quickly adapt to changing priorities, projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• The ideal candidate will be collaborative and thrive in a team environment while also possessing the initiative and understanding to navigate projects and deadlines and take decisive action.
• Experience working with clients, customers, partners and outside vendors and agencies.
• Analytical skills as well as proven ability to be innovative and creative.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team-oriented, matrixed organization
• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously and meeting tight deadlines.
• Familiarity with creative processes (layout, photography, print production) and design capabilities to produce visually appealing and engaging communications assets (i.e. PPT, newsletters, etc.,)
• Candidate must foster an inclusive work environment and respect all aspects of diversity. The successful candidate must demonstrate and value differences in others' strengths, perspectives, approaches, and personal choices.
• Marketing skills and mindset a plus

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Pay: $40.06 - $48.25 per hour

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Writing skills: 1 year (Preferred)
• creative processes (layout, photography, print production: 5 years (Required)
• developing communications strategies: 5 years (Required)
• Microsoft Suite, especially PowerPoint.: 5 years (Required)

Location:

• Newark, NJ (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Newark, NJ (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Newark, NJ: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Newark, NJ