Senior PR Manager

Title: Senior PR Manager

Department: Marketing and Communications

Key Areas: Media Relations, Marketing Communications

Direct Report: Head of Marketing and Communications

Terms of Employment: Full Time

Employee Category: Exempt

Locations: New York City, NY

ABOUT DKMS

DKMS is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the fight against blood cancer and blood disorders by creating awareness, recruiting stem cell donors to provide a second chance at life, raising funds to match donor registrations costs, and supporting the improvement of blood cancer therapies by our own research.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior PR Manager at DKMS will focus on external communications and media storytelling, with a special emphasis on developing compelling narratives that highlight donor impact and engage key audiences. This role will act as the point of contact for our external PR agency. This role is ideal for a communications professional with PR experience who is ready to take the next step in their career, working collaboratively within a structured team environment.

RESPONSIBILITES

• Building relationships with the media, creating media lists, dealing with press inquiries, logging requests and escalating as appropriate to the Head of Department.
• Acting as a spokesperson and preparing others for media interviews
• Proactively monitoring news to shape media opportunities and protect reputation
• Oversee and manage responsibilities and work of PR Team/External agency
• Work directly with external PR Agency in pitching media stories, connecting with interviewees, ensuring all DKMS representation is correct, and coordinate monthly reporting.
• Develop media pitches with a focus on human-interest stories, especially donor journey and patient outcomes.
• Pro-actively handling follow-up with key journalists/publications.
• Play a key role in supporting DKMS’ marketing and communications activities such as World Blood Cancer Day, Blood Cancer Awareness Month, and helping to develop and deliver regional and national PR activities.
• Development of integrated content strategies across channels
• Responsible for tone, quality, and consistency of social media messaging
• Develop content to raise awareness and encourage registrations.
• Lead storytelling efforts by interviewing donors, patients, and fundraisers to craft compelling stories for media, donor communications, and digital channels.
• Working closely with digital marketing colleagues to provide content for social media and the DKMS website.
• Compliance with all Federal, State, and HIPAA regulations
• Coordinate and distribute monthly coverage reports provided by the PR agency.
• Help draft and deliver key publications such as a cross-organization annual report, including close liaison with an agency for realization
• Occasionally contribute internal updates for the DKMS intranet, while prioritizing external donor-facing stories and outreach.
• Engage with internal communications activities for international projects/milestones
• Support the local incidence management and crisis resolution program in close collaboration with the global team.
• Support with communications guidelines for various topics in different areas of the organization
• Ensure invoices related to the role are processed promptly and pass on information and invoices to the Finance Department.
• Work on ad hoc projects and any other duties as required by the Country Managers, subject to capacity.

REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, experience and expertise

• Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience
• Minimum of five years of demonstrated expertise in communications, PR, or journalism
• In-depth knowledge of US media landscape and media operations
• Experience of audience targeting across B2C and B2B sectors
• Strong portfolio of varied content creation, including human interest, medical, and campaign work
• Experience in managing suppliers and agencies (desirable)
• Exposure to healthcare, patient engagement, or voluntary sector work (desirable)
• Background or experience in working in TV (desirable)

Skills and abilities

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Skilled relationship-builder with adaptability and diplomatic flair
• Highly organised, able to manage multiple projects and deadlines
• Strong creative judgment with an eye for detail
• Technically confident with Microsoft Office and media monitoring tools
• Strategic thinker with an understanding of brand voice and audience needs

To Apply: Please send resumes and cover letters to dkmsrecruiting@dkms.org and place “Senior PR Manager” in the subject line.