Media Relations Manager

International Motors, LLC•Lisle, IL

11h•Onsite

About The Position

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.

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
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)

Nice To Haves

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

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