Media & Public Affairs Manager

Freeman Leonard is looking for a Media & Public Affairs Manager for a global manufacturing client. This role is fulltime onsite in DFW or Peoria, IL. Relocation assistance is offered.

We are seeking a Media & Public Affairs Manager with strong writing and strategic communications skills to position the innovation story across earned and paid media, thought leadership, executive platforms and external recognition. This role will focus on shaping and amplifying narratives that demonstrate how the client is solving our customers’ toughest challenges – through customer-driven innovation, strong intellectual property and our talented people.

This new position will go beyond traditional media relations and will partner closely with engineering, technology, HR, legal, segment and communications stakeholders and our government affairs team. This role will be part of the Enterprise Media team.

• Develop a public affairs plan aligned to our corporate narrative that positions advanced technology story to key stakeholder audiences
• Develop content focused on innovation and advanced technology leadership, including op‑eds, contributed articles and for owned channels, including web and social, as well as other materials
• Identify and develop opportunities and stories that highlight the intellectual property, patents and innovation pipeline, as well as highlighting the people behind those stories
• In partnership with legal and our engineering team, lead development of innovation‑focused awards submissions, including researching opportunities, drafting submissions and securing approvals
• Identify speaking and thought leadership opportunities, developing talking points, briefing materials and messaging for executives and subject matter leaders
• Identify and engage with media, influencers and stakeholders to help amplify innovation stories
• Draft proactive and reactive statements and supporting materials as needed
• Serve as a general media contact for a variety of stories and issues as needed, including supporting events and media engagements as needed
• Collaborate with the enterprise media team to ensure innovation narratives are integrated into broader media and communications efforts
• Measure and present results, as well as those of our competitors
• Experience developing public affairs and media strategies across paid, earned and owned channels
• Proven, exceptional writing and editing skills; ability to produce clear, compelling, executive level content
• Experience in crisis communications or issues management; proven ability to remain composed and deliver clear communications under pressure
• Experience in communications, public relations, corporate affairs, journalism, or related discipline
• Direct experience working with national media
• Ability to simplify complex or technical topics into clear, appropriate audience-speakers
• Strong collaboration skills and comfort working across functions and with senior leaders
• Sound judgment and discretion, with the ability to operate effectively in sensitive or high‑visibility situations
• Ability to distill complex topics into easily understandable narratives across formats (op-eds, bylined articles, advertorials, speeches and media statement)
• Ability to navigate a complex, matrixed organization
• Familiarity with content strategy
• The primary locations for this position are Irving, TX, or Peoria, IL
• Domestic relocation assistance is available for those who qualify
• Sponsorship is not available