Media Relations Manager

Position Overview

This is an exciting time to join International as we accelerate the impact of sustainable mobility across North America and globally with our TRATON GROUP colleagues. We are transforming from a supplier of trucks and buses to a provider of complete and sustainable transport solutions. We have a great opportunity for a Media Relations Manager to join our team. This role sits within the Communications & Brand team and will support building an earned media function. As the company transforms into a digitally enabled, solutions-led organization, we need someone who can tell that story to folks who can help amplify it and don’t yet have International on their radar. The ideal candidate will be able to act as both a player and a coach. They will manage our PR agency relationship and also be in the trenches: building journalist relationships, pitching stories and landing national, regional and trade coverage on behalf of International. They will have thrived in a fast-paced agency or corporate environment and be adept at building collaborative relationships across functional areas. They will be an excellent listener and communicator who has meticulous writing skills and a creative, optimistic mindset. This is a full-time position based in Lisle, Illinois. 

Responsibilities

• Execute a proactive media relations strategy
• Establish International as a credible voice in conversations about commercial transportation’s digital and sustainable future
• Actively pitch and place stories, while building and maintaining direct relationships with journalists and influencers
• Develop thought leadership bylines and placements
• Write and edit press releases, media advisories, pitches, and messaging and briefing documents
• Manage the announcement calendar and coordinate with the broader Communications & Brand team
• Own the day-to-day management of the external PR agency
• Set the agency’s priorities, review their work, and hold them accountable to coverage outcomes
• Integrate agency work with the internal communications plan and content calendar
• Serve as the internal expert on media landscape, journalist / influencer relationships and earned media strategy
• Prepare spokespeople for media interactions – interview prep, messaging, Q&A development

• Lead reactive media response, advise on and escalate red flag topics per protocol

   

• Report monthly on coverage quality, message pull-through, and earned media contribution to business objectives

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and at least 5 years of communications experience
• At least 1 years of lead experience

OR

• Master's degree and at least 3 years of communications experience
• At least 1 years of lead experience

OR

• At least 8 years of communications experience
• At least 1 years of lead experience

Additional Requirements

• Qualified candidates, excluding current employees, must be legally authorized on an unrestricted basis (US Citizen, Legal Permanent Resident, Refugee or Asylee) to be employed in the United States. We do not anticipate providing employment related work sponsorship for this position (e.g., H-1B status)

Desired Skills

• Demonstrated ability to think in narratives and understand what makes a story and how to connect company news to what journalists actually care about
• Comfortable with ambiguity
• Experience as both a strategic partner and a doer
• Understanding that media relations is relationship-building
• Ability to work at multiple speeds
• Demonstrated track record of placements in outlets like WSJ, Bloomberg, Fast Company, CNBC, or comparable business press
• Experience in complex B2B companies or agencies serving them: manufacturing, technology, industrial, logistics, or adjacent sectors
• Experience managing agency partners: setting direction, reviewing work, managing to outcomes
• Understanding of LLM search and AI-era PR strategy
• Comfortable operating at the executive level: prepping spokespeople, building relationships with senior leaders, presenting outcomes to leadership
• Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Journalism, or related field
• 7-10 years of media relations experience, with at least 3 years in a role focused on business, technology, or B2B press
• Agency side experience
• Strong writing skills

Benefits and Compensation

This position offers competitive market-based compensation, along with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee wellbeing. You can learn more about the benefits offered for this position by visiting https://careers.international.com/#benefits.The expected salary offered for this position will fall within the stated range, with the final offer based on the candidates' applicable skills, knowledge, and experience.

EEO Statement

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to access the online application system or participate in the interview process due to your disability, please email HUB@International.com to request assistance. Kindly specify Job Requisition Number / Job Title and Location in response. Otherwise, your request may not be considered.

Salary : $104,800 - $157,200