Public Relations Communications Specialist

Public Relations Communications Specialist

Location: Melville, Long Island, NY

Schedule: Full-Time, In-Office

Benefits: Generous PTO; health insurance and retirement benefits are not currently offered

About the Firm

A well-respected, Long Island-based boutique public relations firm is seeking an experienced Public Relations Communications Specialist to join our five-person team in our Melville office.

Our firm represents a diverse portfolio of clients, including trade associations, corporations, nonprofit organizations, and community-based organizations. We provide strategic public relations, media relations, communications, and event support, and our small team environment allows each employee to play a meaningful role in client relationships and account strategy.

This is a fully in-office position. Remote or hybrid work is not available.

Position Overview

The Public Relations Communications Specialist will be a highly visible, client-facing member of our team, responsible for managing day-to-day public relations activities across multiple client accounts. The ideal candidate is an experienced communications professional who is an excellent writer, comfortable interacting directly with clients and media, and able to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.

This role requires someone who is proactive, personable, organized, and confident taking initiative. You will work directly with clients to develop stories and communications opportunities, pitch the media, cultivate relationships with reporters and editors, assist with social media strategy and content development, and coordinate client events.

Because we are a boutique firm, this is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys variety, responsibility, and having a direct impact on client work.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute public relations strategies and communications initiatives for a diverse group of clients.
• Write, distribute, and follow up on press releases, media advisories, pitches, and other communications materials.
• Identify newsworthy opportunities and proactively pitch stories to local, regional, and national media.
• Develop and maintain strong professional relationships with reporters, editors, producers, and other media contacts.
• Serve as a day-to-day point of contact for clients and maintain strong, professional client relationships.
• Coordinate with clients to gather information, quotes, data, announcements, and other materials needed for media opportunities and content development.
• Draft newsletter content, articles, website copy, social media content, and other written communications.
• Assist with developing and maintaining social media content calendars and messaging.
• Monitor media coverage and identify opportunities for clients to gain additional exposure.
• Coordinate and support client events, including planning, logistics, invitations, media outreach, and on-site assistance.
• Attend client meetings, networking opportunities, community events, and other functions as needed.
• Manage multiple client accounts, projects, and deadlines simultaneously while maintaining a high standard of quality.
• Track project timelines and follow up with clients and internal team members to ensure deadlines are met.
• Stay informed about relevant news, industry developments, community issues, and media trends that may create opportunities for clients.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three to five years of professional experience in public relations, communications, marketing, journalism, or a closely related field.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
• Demonstrated experience writing press releases, media pitches, newsletters, social media content, and other communications materials.
• Strong understanding of the media relations process and experience pitching stories to reporters and editors.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Comfortable communicating directly with clients and representing the firm professionally.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple clients, priorities, and deadlines at once.
• Self-motivated and proactive, with the ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with a small team.
• Professional, outgoing personality and confidence networking, attending meetings, speaking with media, and developing new relationships.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to produce polished, accurate work under deadline.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment when communicating on behalf of clients.
• Proficiency with social media platforms and familiarity with social media content development.
• Strong computer skills and familiarity with standard office and communications software.
• A bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, journalism, marketing, or a related field is preferred.

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate is someone who enjoys public relations and genuinely enjoys working with people. You should be comfortable picking up the phone, introducing yourself to a reporter, presenting an idea to a client, attending a community event, and taking ownership of a project from start to finish.

This is not a behind-the-scenes role. The Public Relations Communications Specialist will be an important representative of both our firm and our clients and should be comfortable building relationships and being actively involved in the community and media landscape.

Schedule & Compensation

• Full-time, salaried position. Range DOE $60,000 to $67,500
• Monday–Friday, in-office position in Melville, Long Island
• No remote or hybrid work
• Generous paid time off
• Occasional evening and weekend work is required based on client events, meetings, and other client needs
• Health insurance and retirement benefits are not currently offered

How to Apply

Candidates should submit a resume along with professional writing samples demonstrating experience in public relations, media relations, communications, journalism, marketing, or related work.

Please include writing samples that demonstrate your ability to write clearly, concisely, and for different audiences.