Job Summary:

BJ’s is looking for a motivated, energetic and strategic Senior Specialist of External Communications to join our corporate communications team. The senior specialist will  concentrate on public relations, community events and activations and cross-functional team support and will have proven experience securing earned media coverage and brand visibility within the retail industry. The senior specialist will have significant experience working for a corporation or large retailer, developing  engaging communications strategies with ownership of projects through execution, identifying opportunities to secure media coverage and ideating strong engagement and storytelling to create brand loyalty and drive the support of sales.  Experience with press release writing, pitching, media relations, agency management and brand activations is a must.

Major tasks, responsibilities and key accountabilities:

• Oversee day-to-day media relations operations including monitoring, flagging and summarizing coverage and fielding inbound media requests while working with agency partners
• Support key business priorities and consumer-facing initiatives  through brand-building in traditional public relations strategies while ensuring timelines and deadlines are met
• Monitor and adapt communications plans and strategies to respond to market trends, stakeholder expectations and any emerging requests
• Draft, review and distribute press releases, media kits, talking points, prep materials and other communication materials
• Ensure all external communications are clear, accurate and aligned with the company’s brand and messaging
• Develop and execute seasonal and category specific media relations campaigns
• Collaborate with partners in merchandising, marketing, membership, real estate and development and digital marketing to deliver external communications programming aligned with business priorities
• Oversee analytics using data-driven insights to refine and elevate communications strategies and improve outreach effortsIdentify trends  that can help deliver against strategic objectives
• Keep a strong pulse on emerging technology and platforms, including AI tools
• Support overall corporate communications team and objectives in various areas including social media, public relations, community affairs, internal communications and crisis communications

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing or related field required
• 5 - 10 years of professional experience in public relations, external or corporate communications. Experience in social media and influencer marketing is a plus.
• Familiarity with Cision, Business Wire and other PR tools
• Strong analytical mindset with experience measuring PR performance and translating insights into actionable recommendations
• Proficient experience in crisis communications, corporate affairs, public relations writing and communications strategy development
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Proven storyteller and effective communicator
• Highly collaborative with internal and external partners
• Excellent writing skills and public speaking capabilities
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Proactive, resourceful and solution-oriented

Job Conditions:

• Available to travel throughout BJ’s current and future club locations ( 30% travel)
• Hybrid in-office three days a week

This is a hybrid role. Tuesday through Thursday are in-office days at BJ's Club Support Center in Marlborough, MA and Monday and Friday are remote days.