Communications Specialist, PR

Location: Hybrid; office located in Greenbelt, MD.
Position Type: Full time

About Us:

We are a dynamic and innovative creative marketing agency based in Greenbelt, MD, focused on cutting-edge communications strategies, design solutions, and digital content creation. Our team is driven by creativity, collaboration, and a passion for pushing boundaries in the ever-evolving landscape of digital media. 

Our PR team specializes in shaping the branding, public image, and communications of our clients. We secure high-profile media coverage for our clients, assist them with navigating communications crises, and generate and execute communications campaigns that set their work apart from competitors.

Position Overview:

We’re seeking a highly motivated Communications Specialist to join our fast-paced, collaborative PR team and help deliver strategic, creative, and impactful communications for clients across the food and beverage, real estate, and nonprofit sectors. The ideal candidate is a strong writer and critical thinker with a passion for storytelling, media relations, and translating complex ideas into compelling narratives; we’d also like a candidate with interest in growing into an account lead position. This role will work closely with account leads and creative teams to develop and execute communications strategies, craft high-quality content, and drive earned media results that elevate our clients’ brands and advance their missions.

Responsibilities:

• Draft, edit, and pitch press releases, op-eds, and media advisories to relevant national, regional, and trade outlets. 

• Develop compelling storylines and talking points that highlight client impact and thought leadership. 

• Monitor media coverage and identify opportunities for proactive and reactive engagement. 

• Maintain and grow relationships with journalists across multiple sectors.

• Create a wide range of written materials including blog posts, op-eds, newsletters, fact sheets, and social media copy.

• Develop creative concepts, taglines, and ad copy for paid social content, digital campaigns, and ads. 

• Generate creative, outside-the-box communications strategies and campaigns for clients, aligning actions with client goals and target audiences.

• Support reputation management, issues response, and crisis communications when necessary.

• Collaborate with account leads and creative teams to ensure messaging consistency across platforms and materials, assisting with coordinating workflows across design, digital, and strategy teams.

• Develop content calendars and cross-platform amplification plans for key announcements and op-eds.

Qualifications:

• 2-4 years of experience in a marketing, public relations, or communications role.

• Exceptionally strong written communication skills, with an ability to adapt tone and voice for different audiences and formats; writing samples required. 

• Strong understanding and interest in the media landscape, and ability to identify compelling story angles.

• Understanding of how to connect communications tactics to broader strategy objectives. 

• Excellent organizational and time management skills; detail-oriented and proactive communicator. 

• Ability to support multiple clients or projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment. 

• Familiarity with media database tools (Muckrack, Cision, Meltwater) a plus. 

Merrick Creative is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.