Public Relations Strategist

PUBLIC RELATIONS STRATEGIST

About the Role

Georgia Association of REALTORS® (GAR) has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Public Relations Strategist to join our dynamic team. This position is an in-office, full-time, exempt position.

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Schedule: Monday through Friday (some weekends).  Travel required for meetings and Conferences, several times a year. Own transportation is required.

Position Description:

The Public Relations Strategist will build and maintain trusted relationships with journalists and industry stakeholders to ensure the association’s present actions and storied history are communicated effectively to the public. This position crafts statewide media relations, and external communication initiatives that demonstrate the association’s positive impact for the industry, protection of the public interest, and the value of membership.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop a comprehensive public relations and media strategy that reinforces the association’s unique opportunity to positively impact the real estate industry and the public interest.
• Demonstrate, protect, and advance the external reputation of the association to the industry stakeholders as well as the public interest.
• Translate the strategic plan of GAR into an actionable list that advances reputation and delivers measurable impact.
• Serve as the media point of contact for the association, ensuring clarity and accuracy in all external communications by directing all aspects of media relations — including proactive pitching, reactive response, press briefings, and executive media engagements.
• Craft high-level messaging, press releases, op-eds, speeches, and public statements that reflect the strategic plan, vision, and ongoing initiatives of the associations throughout the state (for use by volunteer leadership and senior staff).
• Advise staff and volunteer leadership on communications strategy, reputation management, and public positioning.
• Support the CEO and senior communications staff with crisis communications planning and execution, serving as lead coordinator for external responses during critical events.
• Cultivate and sustain long-term relationships with local, state, and national media outlets.
• Partner with all staff departments to align external/public messaging for consistency and credibility.
• Oversee media monitoring, analytics, and reporting to measure effectiveness of public relations initiatives and guide strategic adjustments.
• Manage PR vendors, consultants, software, and budget needs, to ensure efficiency and alignment with strategic goals.
• Other duties as assigned by the CEO

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will bring:

• Significant experience in public relations, media relations, or strategic communications that can be readily identified and clearly defined.
• Demonstrate success leading external communications and media engagement.
• Outstanding verbal, written, and presentation skills, with the ability to represent the organization with professionalism and credibility.
• Proven experience handling high-stakes communications and/or crisis management.
• Deep understanding of Georgia’s media ecosystem, public affairs environment, and community networks.

Preferred Attributes

• Experience serving as a senior media advisor for an association, corporation, or elected official.
• Strong media acumen and understanding of association impact within industries, and an ability to balance organizational messaging.
• Advanced degree or 5+ years, or identified experience, directly related to the duties and responsibilities assigned.
• Strength in problem solving (foresight for potential wins and losses for the association).
• Willingness to self-identify opportunities to increase efficiency while working across multiple departments and volunteer groups.
• Existing relationships with industry leaders, public affairs professionals, government media staff, economic development specialists, and other significant stakeholders at the local, regional, and state level.
• Ability to build new relationships with the above depending on needs.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Journalism, Political Science, or related discipline.

Compensation: Commensurate with experience

GAR offers a competitive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, ensuring a supportive work environment for our team members.