Public Relations Specialist (Remote position based in Florida)Reports To: Public Relations Manager

Firehouse Subs Headquarters, supporting more than 1,200 Firehouse Subs restaurants in 45 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada, is seeking a Public Relations Specialist to join our team. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, Firehouse Subs® is one of the nation’s leading fast-casual restaurant chains with a commitment to and passion for hearty and flavorful food, heartfelt service, and public safety. The person in the position has the opportunity to join an exciting, fast-paced, and high-energy environment, working in the hub of the public relations network for our organization.As a member of the Firehouse Subs Public Affairs Team and reporting directly to the Manager of Public Relations, the Public Relations Specialist is a full-time position responsible for a variety of functions including creation of publicity reports and recaps, managing media lists, media relations/social influencer relations support and more.Essential functions:

Work with and support the field public relations team comprised of multiple Managers of Public Relations to communicate and implement the brand’s annual public relations strategy on the local level

Create and oversee media lists for assigned areas

Coordinate and attend media interviews and provide spokesperson media training, as needed

Proactively and continuously generate media leads and creative ideas through research and competitive analysis for new PR opportunities

Monitor media coverage and assemble media highlights reports

Work with the Managers of Public Relations to assemble publicity reports for internal stakeholders of assigned territories that showcase publicity highlights and media wins, as well as complete analysis on the established goals for each campaign

Plays a key role in the PR team’s publicity reporting

Support the field team to proactively pitch media on brand vision, storylines, integrated campaigns and assigned key business priorities, as needed

Media pitching to include social influencer relations, restaurant and market-wide events, menu news, brand initiatives, new restaurant openings, news hijacking opportunities, and more, as needed

Serve as a contributor to the PR team’s big ideas, media leads, and national brand public relations initiatives. Proactively identify public relations initiatives to increase brand awareness through traditional earned media channels

Support the greater PR team, as needed

Build trust, respect and positive collaboration among teams, partners, departments and supervisor

Collaborate with the PR team on development of annual and quarterly PR plans

Competencies

Able to effectively multi-task and manage competing priorities while meeting assigned deadlines

Attention to detail is a must

Able to communicate in both written and verbal form with conviction and credibility, adapting message to suit level of audience

Able to work independently and with teams

Flexibility, a positive attitude, enthusiasm and excellent problem-solving skills required

Collaboration and relationship building

Results-driven

Self-starter

Innovation and creativity

Proficient in AP style

Strong critical and analytic thinking skills in order to integrate with a vibrant and passionate brand and PR team

Strong public speaking skills; must be able to present to large groups

Adaptability and flexibility

Creative

Integrity

Diplomacy

Bold personality

Interpersonal communication

Teamwork

Problem solving and decision making

Organization

Required education and experience:

Bachelor’s Degree in communications, public relations, journalism or a related field

Minimum of two years public relations, corporate communications or journalism work experience

Public relations agency background in account service

Must have examples of secured local and national media coverage

Must have media relations writing examples

Impeccable writing and editing skills

Proficient in AP style

Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously; thrives under pressure

Eager and motivated to grow with the Firehouse Subs brand

Must possess a valid driver’s license

Preferred education and experience:

Restaurant industry and/or franchising industry experience is a plus

Experience with graphic design and/or publishing software is a plus

Experience with photography and video production is a plus

Position type and expected hours of work: Full time, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET, 40 hours a week, and based in Jacksonville, Fl. On-call nights and weekends, as needed.