Senior Manager, Media Relations Strategist

Who Are We Looking For?

We’re looking for a hands-on Senior Manager of Media Relations Strategist who can bring an established communications strategy to life through disciplined planning, execution, and measurement. This role is ideal for a seasoned communications strategist who loves owning the day-to-day of media relations, content development, and executive visibility programs, and who is energized by close, in-person partnership with the C‑suite.

As a key member of our Brand Team, you will execute and administer the PR roadmap defined in partnership with senior leadership, ensuring our messages are consistently and effectively delivered across audiences and channels.

We are looking for a proactive, detail-oriented team player who is comfortable rolling up their sleeves, taking ownership, and operating with a high degree of accountability and follow-through. If you are a seasoned communications operator who thrives on making strategy real through strong execution, and you’re excited to work side-by-side with an executive team to grow a mission-driven brand, we’d love to hear from you.

The role is based in our New York City headquarters to enable frequent, in-person collaboration with our executive team and cross-functional partners.

What Will You Be Doing?

Strategy execution & planning

• Translate the company’s PR and communications strategy—set by the SVP, Head of Marketing—into clear annual, quarterly, and campaign-level plans that advance brand visibility, thought leadership, and business objectives.

• Own the day-to-day execution of corporate and product PR initiatives across earned, owned, and shared channels, ensuring consistent messaging and strong cross-functional coordination.

• Lead the development of thought leadership programs, including original research, surveys, and insight-driven narratives that increase brand authority, support earned media, and create opportunities for executive visibility.

• Build and manage a leadership speaker strategy, including proactive speaker bureau initiatives, conference opportunities, award submissions, and executive platform development.

• As a key member of our Brand Team, expand and operationalize a broader earned and influence channel strategy across media, podcasts, YouTube, newsletters, and other high-value platforms relevant to our audiences.

• Maintain an integrated communications calendar spanning launches, announcements, awards, executive speaking, research moments, and key industry tentpoles.

Media relations & brand visibility

• Increase brand awareness through targeted, corporate, and product-focused PR programs.
• Build and manage relationships with key media contacts in the financial services, fintech, and retirement industries.
• Proactively identify PR opportunities, develop compelling story angles, and pitch relevant narratives to media.
• Respond to inbound media inquiries, ensuring timely, accurate, and on-message responses.

Content development & storytelling

• Research, write, and edit high-quality communications materials including press releases, media pitches, talking points, bylines, blog posts, FAQs, and Q&As.
• Partner with senior leaders to craft clear, compelling messaging that reflects our brand, positioning, and differentiated value.
• Support the development of thought leadership content (e.g., articles, commentary, reports, speaking points) that elevates our presence with key audiences.

Executive visibility & industry presence

• Manage award submissions from end-to-end, including sourcing opportunities, drafting submissions, and tracking results.
• Identify, evaluate, and coordinate executive speaking opportunities at industry conferences, webinars, and events.
• Prepare executives for external engagements through briefing docs, messaging frameworks, and rehearsal support.

Internal communications

• Support internal communications initiatives that keep employees informed, aligned, and connected to company priorities.
• Draft internal memos, announcements, and leadership communications that translate complex topics into clear, accessible updates.
• Partner closely with HR, Marketing, and the broader leadership team to reinforce company values, culture, and key business initiatives.

Measurement, insights & operations

• Define and track KPIs for PR and communications programs (e.g., share of voice, media coverage quality, message pull-through, engagement).
• Monitor industry trends, competitor activity, and relevant policy or regulatory developments to inform communications plans.
• Synthesize results and insights into regular reporting for senior leadership, recommending adjustments to improve impact.
• Manage relationships with agencies and vendors as needed, ensuring alignment with strategy, brand standards, and timelines.

Requirements
The Necessities

• Experience: 3-5+ years in public relations, corporate communications, or related fields, with meaningful experience in financial services, fintech, retirement, or adjacent industries.
• Functional depth: Demonstrated success executing PR and communications programs—owning planning, content creation, media outreach, and reporting.
• Writing excellence: Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to distill complex financial or technical topics into clear, engaging narratives tailored to professional audiences.
• Media acumen: Proven ability to build and manage media relationships; experience securing coverage in trade and/or business outlets.
• Executive partnership: Experience partnering directly with senior leaders (VP/C‑suite) on messaging, thought leadership, and speaking engagements.
• Project management: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, stakeholders, and deadlines in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.
• Collaboration: Track record of working cross-functionally with Marketing, Product, Sales, Legal/Compliance, and HR to ensure aligned, compliant messaging.
• Tools: Proficiency with common communications and collaboration tools (e.g., media monitoring platforms, newsroom/PR distribution tools, project management and productivity suites).

This role will be based in the New York City office, and will be part of Vestwell's hybrid in-office operation.

The expected base salary range for this position is $120K - $135K base. This position is eligible to participate in the Company Bonus Pool and is eligible to receive new hire equity in the Company. Please note that salary bands are based on NY and other similar metro areas and may differ based on where the role is ultimately hired.