Public Relations Manager - CDW

Position Title: Manager Public Relations – Markets and Technologies - CDW

Department: Marketing

Purpose of the Position:

Responsible for using Public Relations to raise awareness and consideration of CDW and CDW-G in commercial customer segments, public sector verticals, and in coordination with partners.

Essential Functions:

Work is strategic as well as tactical in nature.

• Sets PR vision, direction, priorities and objectives for individual CDW customer segments and some programs that span segments
• Defines success measures and metrics for his/her overall efforts and for individual programs
• Develops annual strategic and tactical PR plans that position the company as a thought leader in its target markets, including schedules and cost data
• Oversees implementation of plans by assigning tactical objectives to agency and staff, managing workloads, ensuring quality and timeliness of performance and adherence to budget
• Collaborates closely with internal customers in sales and segment marketing to ensure PR programs are thoroughly integrated with segment business objectives, marketing plans, and selling requirements
• Helps ensure alignment and coordination with corporate PR programs
• Functions as a PR subject matter expert; counsels directors and executives
• Writes and edits complex communications and a variety of documents for external publication
• Maintains good relations with the media and cultivates these relationships by phone, at trade shows and on media tours
• Identifies and implements process improvements
• Establishes PR policies
• Speaks on behalf of and represents the company
• Cultivates advocacy of PR programs and their value to the business; draws connection between PR programs and business results
• Changes thinking of, or gains acceptance of, others in sensitive situations
• Has superior project management and people skills to ensure effectiveness of high-functioning internal team and external agency
• Manages budget

Additional Responsibilities:

Negotiates fees and terms with agency, research companies and freelancers. Trains and manages company spokespeople. Oversees online newsrooms. Oversees company Fact Matrix of company information approved for external use. Helps maximize the company’s presence at trade shows. Oversees dissemination of news releases and the conducting of PR research programs. Develops and manages PR events. Selects appropriate award opportunities. Seeks opportunities to partner with vendors and/or other organizations to raise the stature of the company.

Organizational Relationships:

Position reports to CDW’s Senior Manager of Corporate Communications and is part of the Communications and Brand Management team in the company’s Marketing department. This position has two direct reports. The position provides communications advice and counsel to directors and executives and also works closely with Marketing segment leaders, Sales and the magazine staff.

Qualifications:

• Senior-level communicator with more than 10 years PR experience, preferably with a corporation
• Must have deep knowledge of public sector PR, preferably in the IT industry and preferably including knowledge of the IT marketplace and the media who cover the Federal government, state & local government, public safety, higher education, K-12 education and healthcare
• This person should also have B2B experience and an understanding of the needs of medium/large commercial businesses, associations, and small businesses
• The ideal candidate is creative, assertive and influential
• Must have experience managing an outside agency, working with senior-level executives and be comfortable working with partners and customers
• Ability to manage projects where information may be complex, incomplete or conflicting
• Excellent writer/editor with superior communications skills including ability to craft speeches and presentations for senior management
• Must be comfortable multi-tasking and handling a high volume of work
• Must make decisions quickly, be deadline driven and adhere to performance metrics
• The ideal candidate will be very flexible in thinking and approach the work with a sense of urgency

Work Environment:

Fast-paced, collaborative environment. Position works during normal business hours but may include evening and/or weekend work and ability to be reached 24/7. Position is in Vernon Hills and Woodland Falls office (Mettawa, Ill.) Requires about 20% travel.

When taking into consideration the CDW Circle of Service, how does this position directly or indirectly impact the internal or external CDW customer?

Position has two main customers: external media and internal Sales and Segment Marketing management. Position builds relationships with key reporters and positions the company as a thought leader in IT. By managing the quality of external communications, position enhances the reputation of the company and positions the firm appropriately with the media, partners and customers. Position works closely with Marketing on branding and dissemination of messages.

The information contained in this job description is intended to convey information about the essential functions and requirements of the position. It is not an exhaustive list of the skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the opportunity.

CUSTOMER FOCUS AND QUALITY MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

Each CDW coworker is responsible for maintaining customer focus and conforms to the CDW quality management system.

Specific responsibilities include:

1. Periodic reviews of CDW Circle of Service Philosophy and the Quality Policy to understand CDW’s commitment to excellent client service and continual improvement and to conform to these policies and philosophies at all times
2. During your orientation period, review with your supervisor as needed the quality procedures and operating instructions listed at CDWHOME/ISO9001 intranet site that apply to your specific assignment(s) within the scope of this job position
3. And after the orientation period to conform to these procedures and instructions, including any reporting (and/or record keeping) responsibilities
4. Report any client problem, or any service outage that may cause potential client problems to your supervisor
5. Communicate improvement ideas that you have regarding CDW service quality or client satisfaction per established means