Public Relations Specialist

American Association of Critical Care Nurses • Aliso Viejo, CA

19h • Remote

About The Position

The Public Relations Specialist independently evaluates, develops, and manages public relations, media relations, and external communications initiatives that support AACN’s strategic priorities, advocacy efforts, products, programs, and member engagement. As a subject matter expert within Integrated Marketing, this position applies specialized knowledge in public relations, storytelling, messaging, and reputation management to assess communication needs, recommend approaches, and determine appropriate tactics. The role exercises independent judgment in managing complex assignments, evaluating opportunities and risks, and advising stakeholders while working within established organizational strategy.

The Specialist partners with the Integrated Marketing Director, organizational leaders, marketing teams, product owners, clinical leaders, subject matter experts, and external partners to develop and deliver communications that strengthen AACN’s visibility, reputation, and connection with key audiences. The position advises AACN leadership—including the President, President-elect, and Board of Directors—on media engagement and supports executive, crisis, advocacy, and other high-priority communications. This is a remote position; some travel may be required.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience independently managing and executing public relations, media relations, and communications initiatives aligned with organizational priorities and established strategies.
• Advanced understanding of media relations, including outreach, relationship management, story development, press materials, interview coordination, and media engagement processes.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, including experience producing press releases, executive communications, talking points, FAQs, media advisories, and other public-facing content.
• Ability to translate organizational priorities, products, advocacy initiatives, and clinical topics into compelling stories and audience-focused materials.
• Strong understanding of integrated marketing and communications principles and public relations’ role in broader campaigns and audience engagement.
• Experience supporting crisis, issues management, and advocacy communications through messaging coordination, material development, and execution of approved multichannel plans.
• Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills with executives, volunteer leaders, media contacts, business partners, and cross-functional teams.
• Experience using media monitoring, social listening, analytics, and audience insights to evaluate effectiveness, identify opportunities, and recommend improvements.
• Strong project management, organization, and prioritization skills, including independently managing multiple initiatives and deadlines.
• Excellent judgment, discretion, communication, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to manage sensitive, high-visibility communications and determine appropriate next steps.
• Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Marketing, English, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in public relations, media relations, corporate communications, or a related field, including independently managing complex initiatives with limited supervision.
• Experience developing and managing public relations and communications strategies that support organizational priorities, brand awareness, stakeholder engagement, and business objectives.
• Experience managing media relationships and evaluating media opportunities, including developing executive communications, messaging, talking points, and briefing materials.
• Experience managing crisis communications, advocacy communications, or issues management, including assessing communication needs and risks and managing initiatives within established organizational direction.
• Experience exercising independent judgment, prioritizing competing demands, advising cross-functional stakeholders, and evaluating communications through monitoring, audience insights, engagement metrics, and other measurement tools.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision, analyze complex communication needs, synthesize information, and manage multiple projects and sensitive communications.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute public relations and media relations initiatives aligned with organizational priorities and communication strategies.
• Translate organizational priorities into communication plans, messaging recommendations, media opportunities, and storytelling approaches in partnership with the Integrated Marketing Director and stakeholders.
• Provide expertise and recommendations on public relations opportunities, media engagement, audience considerations, messaging, and communication tactics.
• Collaborate with business partners, product owners, marketing strategists, clinical leaders, and subject matter experts to amplify organizational initiatives, programs, products, and thought leadership.
• Maintain knowledge of AACN’s mission, strategic priorities, governance, advocacy initiatives, healthcare environment, and industry trends to inform communications.
• Manage assigned media relations activities, including identifying opportunities, determining outreach approaches, responding to media inquiries, and developing relationships with journalists, media outlets, and external partners.
• Develop and oversee press releases, media advisories, key messages, executive talking points, briefing documents, FAQs, and other public relations materials.
• Monitor media coverage, industry trends, public conversations, and emerging issues; assess communication needs and provide recommendations.
• Analyze media coverage, audience engagement, visibility, and other performance indicators; assess effectiveness, identify opportunities and risks, and recommend adjustments.
• Maintain relationships with external public relations partners, vendors, communication resources, internal stakeholders, and media contacts.
• Support high-visibility communications for executive leadership, crisis response, advocacy efforts, and organizational priorities.
• Advise the President, President-elect, and Board of Directors on media engagement, messaging, interview approaches, and briefing materials.
• Support onboarding and communications planning for incoming Presidents and Presidents-elect, including timelines, messaging materials, and media considerations.
• Partner with the Director of Integrated Marketing and senior leaders on media inquiries, emerging issues, and public-facing communication needs.
• Assess communication needs and risks for crisis and advocacy matters, recommend approaches and priorities, develop materials, and manage assigned workstreams within established organizational direction.
• Collaborate across teams to ensure communications are audience-focused and aligned with organizational priorities; recommend tactics for crisis, advocacy, and high-priority communications.
• Partner with the social media team to monitor conversations, audience sentiment, emerging issues, and relevant discussions, and use insights to inform recommendations and proactive engagement.
• Work with marketing leaders and channel specialists to recommend communications tactics and support timelines and channel execution.
• Uphold the organization’s talent philosophy and values, and perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off
• Low-cost health plans for medical and mental health services
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Company-paid life insurance
• Company-paid short-term disability insurance
• Retirement savings program with employer matching and additional company contribution
• Alternative and flexible work arrangements to support work/life balance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior