Manager, Public Affairs

We Are LifeLink…

Our Vision is to maximize the gift of life while giving hope to donor families and transplant patients. Our Mission is to honor donors and save lives through organ and tissue donation.

Our Values are: Compassion. Excellence. Legacy. People. Quality.

Why choose LifeLink?   We offer the following:

• Amazing culture since 1982
• Company paid Medical, Dental, Disability & Life Insurance
• Generous company paid Pension Plan for your Retirement
• Paid Vacation, Sick Days & Holidays
• Encouraging career track
• Fitness Membership Reimbursement
  …much more!

Join our team of dedicated professionals who are committed to saving lives.

Summary:

The Manager, Public Affairs plays a critical role in supporting and implementing public affairs activities throughout the designated territory while adhering to established LifeLink Foundation policies, procedures and protocols. This position works with a hands-on management approach to lead staff and coordinate initiatives that positively impact organ/tissue donation through strategic public education with the goal of increased donor registrations. Working under the direction of Public Affairs leadership, this position maintains collaborative relationships with other departments and serves as a valuable resource for public affairs initiatives, contributing directly to the organization's mission of saving lives through organ and tissue donation.

Responsibilities:

• Support the annual strategic planning process, suggest, and manage implementation of strategies and tactics to meet the departmental goals.
• Contribute to annual budget development, monitor expenditures in designated areas throughout the year to remain within approved spending, and suggest cost containment measures.
• In line with the departmental strategic plan, develop and implement public education initiatives, campaigns, observations, and other special projects.
• Participate in crisis communications planning and execution in the event of a crisis communications situation. 
• Manage PA staff as allocated in assigned division or territory including but not limited to screening, hiring, training, evaluating, coaching, and goal setting in close cooperation with departmental leadership.
• Support professional development opportunities for existing staff and assist with training programs for new staff members.
• Monitor, analyze, and report on public education initiative, donor registration, and OPO metrics, using data to inform strategy and continuously improve donor registration, heighten positive brand recognition, increase audience support of donation, and increase donation.
• Maintain documentation, reports, dashboard, and other data on a regular basis, tracking the progress of efforts and reporting results to departmental and OPO leadership.
• Serve as liaison to the public relations agency of record for your assigned division to conceive and execute comprehensive media strategy for positive coverage of LifeLink and organ and tissue donation.
• Serve as the designated media contact, including writing press releases, conducting or coordinating media training for secondary media contacts and other appropriate parties, identifying appropriate subject matter experts/spokespeople, prepping spokespeople in advance of participation in media interviews, coordinating media interviews, serving as a spokesperson as appropriate, and monitoring media for coverage and dissemination via the intranet or to divisional staff.
• Oversee and participate in the establishment and maintenance of positive relationships with external partners to result in reputation and brand management, public education and community presence of LifeLink Foundation, our divisions and LifeLink Legacy Fund, as well as public education opportunities to increase the profile of LifeLink and organ and tissue donation.
• Enhance and strengthen positive visibility of the LifeLink brand through attendance at various local, regional, and national professional events or conferences. Represent LifeLink at appropriate forums when authorized.
• Manage the day-to-day processes, including those of direct reports, within assigned division or territory Contribute to the development of social media and digital content highlighting initiatives and events within assigned division, working collaboratively with the communications team to enhance visibility.
• Participate in other team, departmental, and organizational initiatives and duties as assigned with enthusiasm and commitment to the mission of saving lives through organ and tissue donation.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, marketing, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered. 
• Minimum of five years of experience in communications, community relations, public relations or related field, with at least one year in a supervisory role of staff or project teams. 
• Proven expertise in developing public education initiatives or campaigns, events and relationship building.
• Understanding and evaluation of analytics and data for success.
• Strong project management skills to lead complex initiatives and projects from concept to completion. 
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to provide clear guidance to team members. 
• Demonstrated presentation skills and comfortable speaking in front of groups.
• Creative thinker with a proactive approach to problem-solving and innovation.
• Knowledge of social media platforms and tools such as Canva, as well as software tools generally used in business, such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, Teams, etc.
• Must have personal, reliable vehicle with good driving record and current state/commonwealth license
• Ability to lift and transport up to 40 pounds on a regular basis. Routine confidentiality must be practiced

Working Conditions

Pleasant, team-oriented working environment. Routinely works customary hours although deadlines, special events, presentations, etc. may require extended working hours. Some overnight travel required.