Description

Overview

The Public Relations Lead, Association & Membership promotes and elevates the visibility of more than 30,000 PGA Golf Professionals and the Association's work. This role oversees media relations and strategic communications to tell the story of PGA Members, highlight major Association initiatives, and build awareness of key programs; including Governance, Career Services, Education, Coaching & Player Development, and the PGA of America REACH Foundation. The position serves as a connector between internal teams, external media, and the broader community, ensuring consistent and engaging communications that support the organization's strategic priorities.

Experience Required

Bachelor's Degree (B.A.) in Journalism, Communications, English, Public Relations or related field or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Five years experience in public relations, journalism, or corporate communications.

Portfolio demonstrating published writing experience required.

Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with close attention to grammar, clarity, and AP style.

Proven ability to write for multiple formats and audiences (press releases, social copy, executive messaging, long-form articles).

Experience working with media outlets and building relationships with reporters and editors.

Familiarity with the golf industry is preferred.

Essential Responsibilities

Write, edit, and proofread press releases, media pitches, scripts, executive talking points, and Q&A documents that clearly and accurately represent the approved strategy.

Develop and maintain a consistent editorial voice across all earned media materials, ensuring adherence to Associated Press style and PGA of America brand guidelines.

Prepare and update media kits, fact sheets, bios, and backgrounders to support both proactive outreach and respond to media inquiries.

Develop and nurture relationships with traditional, new, and non-traditional media outlets, including local, regional, national, and diverse publications, by pitching relevant stories and customizing messaging for each audience and platform.

Collaborate with teams across the PGA, such as Membership, Governance, Career Services, Education, PGA Sections and REACH Foundation, to identify newsworthy stories and ensure messaging accuracy.

Manage editorial calendars and deadlines to ensure timely, high-quality content delivery.

Serve as the primary liaison for internal teams, PGA Sections, and PR agencies-collaborating on strategic plans, generating awareness, securing media coverage, and overseeing the PR hub and calendar for internal news release coordination.

Collaborate with agencies on monthly and quarterly media coverage reporting, including editing and distributing reports to leadership.

Partner with Digital and Marketing teams to distribute content, generate awareness, and track engagement across digital platforms.

Support and coordinate media interviews and speaking opportunities for senior management and leadership.

Maintain a strong understanding of the PGA of America's strategic plan, golf industry issues, and external opportunities to inform and prioritize PR planning.

Coordinate interview tracking and Association fact sheets, and support media monitoring and daily distribution of industry headlines to keep stakeholders informed.

Use wire services, MailChimp, and other PR technologies for distribution and reporting metrics.

Job Knowledge/Technology: Must have knowledge of national, regional, and local media, gained through experience in public relations or a related field. Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with cross-functional teams, providing valuable insight into project timelines and communication needs. Proven track record of building and sustaining media contacts. Strong project management skills with the ability to handle multiple writing assignments and deadlines simultaneously. Proficiency with Gmail, Google Drive, Google Sheets, and Google Docs required. Basic fluency in artificial intelligence (AI) tools and concepts is also expected, including the ability to use AI to enhance business operations and drive innovation, supporting our mission to better serve Members and stakeholders.