Senior Communications Manager & PR Lead

Course Hero is scaling, and we are looking for a seasoned Senior Communications Manager & PR Lead to join our uber-talented Brand & Communications team! The successful candidate will be a curious, detail-oriented writer with a keen ability to develop powerful, engaging stories and a passion for media relations and brand building. 

You will join Course Hero at a time when there is unprecedented interest regarding the impact of technological advancements on higher education and digital pedagogy. This makes it more important than ever to ensure we are effectively communicating the company’s mission and vision to our target audiences and driving communication strategies that are aligned with our business objectives. This is a dynamic role that will keep you on your toes! It requires you to work with partners from the brand, marketing, product, and executive teams, whether you are making newsworthy pitches, talking to members of the media, supporting corporate announcements, or managing our brand’s reputation. 

While we are a high-growth tech company, we are also mission-driven and strive to create a workplace that enables our team members to thrive inside and outside of work. If you are looking for a new challenge and are excited about what you’ve read so far, we hope to hear from you!

Here are some ways you’ll make an impact:

• Develop and drive newsworthy stories to create a consistent cadence of reputation-building media coverage 
• Keenly follow industry trends, business, tech and education news, to ensure timely and relevant information informs proactive media outreach
• Cultivate meaningful relationships with key journalists to position Course Hero as a relevant and reliable source for commentary and thought leadership
• Research and create all media relations materials including briefing documents, press releases, media alerts, pitches, communications plans, award submissions, speaking proposals and media lists
• Pursue and respond to reporter queries in a timely, thoughtful and thorough manner
• Organize and manage media briefings and training, as well as media interviews and speaking engagements 
• Actively monitor, track and manage company and industry news coverage and collaborate with social media team to manage social media reputation
• Manage and enhance external comms department processes and procedures  
• Manage and collaborate with PR agencies and consultants on communications priorities and pitch plans  
• Build out a thought leadership program and speaking bureau and develop byline content, keynote talks, scripts and award submissions
• Collaborate with HR, events, social and marketing teams on special projects, events and partnerships

Are you our Senior Communications Manager & PR Lead?

• A relevant blend of education and experience with demonstrated and repeated success leading and growing comprehensive consumer-facing and corporate communications strategies, PR campaigns, and programs
• Inspiring communications leader who has a successful track record of consistently securing meaningful media coverage and has established relationships with reporters across business, tech and mainstream media
• Exceptionally strong written, verbal, and visual communication skills, with the ability to present ideas and information clearly and a sharp intellect for communicating with diverse audiences
• Someone who is extremely detail-oriented and thorough, and who can prioritize urgent and important initiatives appropriately and effectively
• A proven ability to analyze and measure communications performance, synthesizing coverage and conversations to inform and make recommendations to executives and partners
• A self-starter with a team player attitude and an ability to embrace change and adapt strategies on the fly
• Strong bias towards action - can proactively problem solve and remove roadblocks, and has exceptional organizational and project management skills, particularly in ambiguous and high-stakes situations
• Known to be an excellent cross-functional partner who can synthesize needs, gain alignment, and drive work forward in a highly collaborative environment
• A critical thinker with a deep passion for experimentation and creativity and curiosity for education and technology
• Subscribes to an “always learning” mentality for themselves and others - gives and receives feedback respectfully, fails forward, and seeks out opportunities for ongoing development 

Bonus Points:

• A combination of in-house and agency experience
• Previous experience leading and developing robust research studies and/or large-scale PR projects or campaigns
• Can provide creative direction and supervis