Assistant Director, Consumer PR

At Northwestern Mutual, we believe relationships are built on trust. That our lives and our work matter. These beliefs launched our company more than 165 years ago. Today, they're just a few of the reasons why people choose to build careers at Northwestern Mutual.

We're strong and growing. In a company with such a long and storied history, this may be the most exciting and important time to be a part of Northwestern Mutual. We're strong, innovative and growing.

We invest in our people. We provide opportunities for employees to grow themselves, their career and in turn, our business.

We care. We make a positive difference in our communities. Nationally, thousands have benefitted from our support of research and programs to fight childhood cancer. Each year, our Foundation, employees and financial representatives donate time, talent and financial support to causes they're passionate about.

We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law

What's the role?

The Assistant Director, Consumer PR will support Northwestern Mutual's marketing initiatives, including integrated and broad-scale campaigns, brand partnerships/sponsorships including its multi-year partnership with the Milwaukee Brewers and sustainability and social impact efforts. This team member will be expected to:

Leadership and Administration

• Serve as a lead strategist and executioner for communications and PR driven programming to business partners across Marketing, Enterprise Sustainability and Social Impact teams
• Manage external PR agency partners
• Manage key relationships with external stakeholders/business partners
• Manage initiative and program budgets, from forecasting to actuals
• Partner with Assistant Directors across the Strategic Communications function to develop team efficiencies and processes
• Lead and mentor junior team members to support growth and advancement of the department

Media and Campaign

• Develop and support activation of insight-driven ideas to garner positive media coverage (print, broadcast, digital); must have a strong consumer background
• Write detailed media strategies outlining core approach, messaging, tactics and desired results; have the ability to flex strategies in real time to meet core objectives and generate greatest opportunity for success
• Build and strengthen media relationships with key reporters nationally and in Milwaukee; must be comfortable managing media inquiries and pitching feature story ideas
• Write and/or oversee corporate blog development for PR announcements and initiatives
• Manage ongoing consumer news bureau efforts and identify advisors to serve as spokespeople and subject matter experts
• Oversee creative direction and development of PR campaign content creation (still/video/infographics)
• Create influencer briefs and partner with social marketing team to determine strategic approach for consumer focused campaigns
• Develop briefing materials and message train spokespeople (internal, talent, influencer) in advance of media opportunities
• Attend and participate in strategy meetings to align brand mission with long-term growth strategy
• Manage compliance submissions for external media materials

Measurement and Success

• Contribute to Strategic Communications quarterly and annual measurement reports
• Develop programmatic recaps that show value of PR in relation to larger campaign; should be comfortable with reporting on more than impressions/reach
• Draft updates to company leaders showcasing PR efforts in support of annual roadmap
• Draft and lead quarterly business reviews with key stakeholders

All geographical locations will be considered for this role, with preference given to talent near our Milwaukee or New York City offices. If remote, the candidate must be comfortable traveling to either of the two offices monthly for organizational meetings and events.

Does the following sound like you? If so, click apply:

• You earned a bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing or a related field is required.
• You have a minimum of 8 years of experience in public relations and at least 3 years in a supervisory role; agency experience preferred.
• You look at marketing and communications campaigns through an integrated lens and have worked cross functionally during the planning process.
• You have a passion for media relations and building brands.
• You create plans based on insights.
• You love pop culture.
• You are a strong, concise writer.
• You are confident in counseling senior business partners.
• You have a knack building relationships and earning the trust of cross-functional peers.
• You have an entrepreneurial mindset, enjoy problem solving and are process oriented.
• You can work both autonomously and in a team setting.
• You enjoy mentoring junior team members.

Northwestern Mutual pays on a geographic-specific salary structure and placement in the salary range for this position will be determined by a number of factors including the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; the scope, complexity as well as the cost of labor in the market; and other conditions of employment. At Northwestern Mutual, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. Please note that the salary range listed in the posting is the standard pay structure. Positions in certain locations (such as California) may provide an increase on the standard pay structure based on the location. Please c lick here for additional information relating to location-based pay structures.

We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you work or would be working in California, Colorado, New York City, Washington or outside of a Corporate location, please click here for information pertaining to compensation and benefits.

We're excited about the potential people bring to Northwestern Mutual. You can grow your career here while enjoying first-class perks, benefits, and commitment to diversity and inclusion.

• Flexible work schedules
• Concierge service
• Comprehensive benefits
• Employee resource groups