Director of Public Relations

This role leads the strategy and execution of high-impact public relations, public affairs, and community engagement campaigns for government, nonprofit, and corporate sectors. The position serves as a senior client lead and trusted advisor, helping organizations navigate complex communications challenges, build public trust, and deliver clear, compelling messaging across audiences and channels.

This is a fast-paced, collaborative environment with a strong emphasis on strategic thinking, service, and high-quality execution.

Worksite Location: St. Paul, MN with a hybrid work environment.

Benefits: Includes medical, dental, vision, PTO, 401k match, maternity/paternity leave program, short-term/long-term disability, continued education, and training

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of integrated public relations and community engagement strategies, including messaging, media relations, public affairs, and reputation management
• Serve as a primary client lead across multiple accounts, building trusted relationships and ensuring strong communication, responsiveness, and delivery of high-quality work
• Guide internal account teams and coordinate workstreams across multiple clients, ensuring deadlines, budgets, and deliverables stay on track
• Translate complex policy, technical, and organizational information into clear, compelling messaging for public audiences
• Develop and oversee proactive and reactive media relations strategy, including messaging, pitching, and narrative development
• Prepare spokespeople and provide hands-on support for media interviews, press events, and public engagements
• Support and execute community engagement and public participation initiatives, including public meetings, open houses, and stakeholder engagement efforts
• Ensure inclusive and accessible communication strategies that reach diverse audiences and communities
• Advise clients on crisis and issue communications, including development of messaging, response plans, and real-time communications support

Qualifications:

• Strong background in public relations, public affairs, communications, journalism, or related field
• Proven experience managing client relationships and leading communications initiatives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills across platforms and audiences
• Strong media relations experience, including pitching, responding to inquiries, and managing sensitive or high-visibility issues
• Experience supporting or leading community engagement, public participation, or stakeholder communications efforts
• Ability to balance strategic advisory work with hands-on execution
• Experience working with or alongside government, nonprofit, or corporate clients (agency experience strongly preferred)
• Strong interpersonal skills with a collaborative, professional, and solutions-oriented approach
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously
• Commitment to inclusive communication and building trust across diverse audiences

About Versique

Versique: /ver-seek/ adj. being both versatile and unique; n. a high-performance recruiting firm specializing in executive leadership search, direct hire, and interim hiring solutions.

Versique Executive, Professional, & Interim Recruiting is a locally owned and operated hiring and placement firm based in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. With specialized practice areas across our three divisions, Versique delivers tailored expertise to a wide range of industries. What sets us apart is our team of recruiters—seasoned professionals who have worked in the very fields they now hire for, providing unmatched industry insight and connections.

We believe people are more than just resumes—they are transformative, unlocking the potential for organizational growth and success.

Versique is proud to be award-winning, earning recognition on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies and the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal's Fast 50 list for 2023. We are also consistently recognized as a Star Tribune Top Workplace and were named a Best Place to Work in 2022 by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.

Let's find your people, together.

Versique is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse workforce. We consider all qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status.