Senior PR + Communications Strategist (Carmel)

TITLE: SENIOR PR + COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGIST

LOCATION: Hybrid (Indianapolis/Carmel-based)

PURPOSE: Lead public relations, media relations, and crisis and executive communications strategies that protect reputations, earn meaningful coverage, and deliver measurable results for PMG clients.

MANAGERS: CEO, VP of Operations, Director of Client Success + Director of Public Relations

TYPE: Full-Time, Salaried

SCOPE: Client PR Strategy + Account Leadership, Media Relations + Campaign Execution, Crisis + Executive Communications + Marketing Integration + Strategy

ACCOUNTABILITIES: PR + Communications Strategy Development, Media Relations, Issues + Crisis Counsel, Executive Communications + Spokesperson Preparation, Client Relationship Leadership, Team Mentorship

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS: Client Satisfaction + Retention, Earned Media Quality + Reach, Message Pull-Through, Crisis Response Readiness, Strategic Alignment with Client Goals, Timeliness of Deliverables, Team Collaboration + Utilization Rate

ABOUT PENCE MEDIA GROUP
Pence Media Group (PMG) is a full-service public relations, branding, digital + paid media and marketing consultancy founded by Nicole Pence Becker in 2017. PMG has grown to become a dynamic, award-winning team, collaborating to help clients affirm their brand identity, craft key messages, and deliver them to targeted audiences, with an operating mantra of, “Consider It Done.” PMG is a certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) in the state of Indiana and was honored with several awards in 2026, including a MUSE Creative Gold Award for Best Small Agency of the Year and being named one of PR Daily’s Top Agencies for 2025 . PMG’s client roster includes start-ups, small to medium businesses, public sector and nonprofit organizations, and Fortune 500 companies.

POSITION OVERVIEW
PMG is seeking a Senior PR + Communications Strategist to serve as a trusted counselor to client leaders and lead PR, media relations, and crisis and executive communications across a portfolio of accounts.

This role requires a highly experienced communicator (15+ years) who can walk into a newsroom, a boardroom, or a fast-moving crisis and be the calmest, most strategic person in the room. You’ll translate business and organizational objectives into clear communications strategies, then drive execution with urgency, accountability, and measurable results.
The ideal candidate is both strategic and executional: someone who can deliver candid counsel to executives, shape messaging under pressure, land earned media in top-tier and local outlets, and still write the pitch, statement, or talking points themselves when it matters.

This role operates as a senior strategic partner to PMG clients and an extension of their leadership teams, while also mentoring PMG team members and driving momentum across projects.

Candidates with newsroom, broadcast, public affairs, or in-house corporate communications backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply.

QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or related field
15+ years of experience in public relations, media relations, or strategic communications (agency, newsroom, public affairs, or in-house corporate communications)
Proven track record of securing earned media across local, regional, national, and trade outlets, with clips to show for it
Hands-on issues and crisis communications experience, including drafting statements and advising senior leaders in real time
Experience serving as the primary communications counselor to executives, elected officials, or senior client stakeholders
Exceptional writing and editing across formats, from a two-line pitch to an executive speech or op-ed
Established media relationships, ideally in the Indianapolis and Indiana market
Experience preparing spokespeople and leading media training
Ability to manage multiple clients, campaigns, and priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment
Familiarity with AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) to enhance research, drafting, media monitoring, and workflow efficiency
Highly organized, proactive, and solutions-oriented, with sound judgment and discretion
APR accreditation, broadcast experience, or public sector, education, health care, association, or nonprofit client experience a plus

ROLES + RESPONSIBILITIES
PR STRATEGY + MEDIA RELATIONS
Develop and execute PR strategies aligned with client visibility, reputation, and business goals
Identify and pitch compelling story angles to local, regional, national, and trade media
Draft and edit press releases, media advisories, op-eds, talking points, fact sheets, and messaging frameworks
Build targeted media lists and cultivate strong relationships with reporters, producers, and editors
Staff interviews, press conferences, and media events
Track, analyze, and report on coverage and message pull-through against client goals

ISSUES, CRISIS + EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS
Serve as a lead counselor when clients face sensitive issues, from first call through recovery
Identify reputational, media, and stakeholder risks before they escalate
Draft holding statements, internal and external messaging, and Q&A documents under tight deadlines
Build crisis preparedness plans and protocols for clients
Lead media training and prepare executives and spokespeople for high-stakes interviews
Write speeches, remarks, and thought-leadership content for executives and public officials

ACCOUNT OWNERSHIP + CLIENT LEADERSHIP
Own assigned client accounts from strategy through execution and reporting
Serve as the day-to-day strategic lead and trusted advisor, delivering candid counsel even when it’s not what clients want to hear
Lead client working sessions, planning discussions, and strategic recommendations with executive presence
Drive momentum by proactively identifying priorities, opportunities, and risks
Manage timelines, scope, and budgets across multiple accounts
Identify opportunities to grow client relationships and support new business proposals

TEAM LEADERSHIP + COLLABORATION
Mentor and review the work of PMG team members on PR deliverables
Collaborate with marketing, brand, content, digital, and paid media teams to keep PR cohesive with broader client goals
Ensure internal teams stay aligned, accountable, and on schedule

TOOLS + PLATFORMS
Experience with:
Media databases and monitoring tools (Cision, Muck Rack, Meltwater, or similar)
Google Workspace
Project management tools (e.g., Monday.com)
Social and digital platforms as they support earned media and executive visibility
AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) for research, drafting, media monitoring, and reporting

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Stay ahead of trends in media, public relations, crisis communications, and AI-assisted communications
Continuously build media relationships and explore new approaches that strengthen client outcomes

WHAT WE OFFER
At PMG, we don’t just offer jobs: we invest in our people. Our Total Rewards Compensation model is designed to recognize impact, reward excellence, and support the whole person.
Here’s what full-time team members can expect:
Industry-leading Base Salary aligned with role, experience, and performance
Performance utilization pay-outs based on client impact, billable hours, and contributions
Competitive PTO + Annual Company Holidays (including Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and a summer holiday break)
Flex Days to support community involvement, remote work, or mental reset
Monthly Cell Phone + Gas/Commute Stipend
Flexible Hybrid Work Model with weekly in-person collaboration in Carmel or Indianapolis
Professional Growth Opportunities through stretch assignments, conference access, and continuous upskilling support
Creative Autonomy + Strategic Ownership in a high-performance, values-driven environment
A culture built on accountability, ambition, and action, where “Consider it done” isn’t a slogan, it’s how we operate
Employee philanthropy program

HOW TO APPLY
Serious applicants should apply on LinkedIn AND send the following to Nicole Pence Becker at nicole@pencemediagroup.com for consideration:
Resume
Cover Letter
3–5 writing samples or media placements (PDF or links), including crisis or executive communications work if possible
At least three references

Candidates who show strong alignment will complete a written questionnaire, then move to a virtual interview with PMG leadership, followed by a paid strategy exercise as the final step before offer.