Public Relations, Social Media & Strategic Partnerships Manager

Make an impact by shaping how Modern Woodmen’s story is shared and experienced. The Public Relations, Social Media & Strategic Partnerships Manager leads creative, integrated strategies that elevate our brand, strengthen our reputation and build meaningful connections with key audiences. From driving media and social engagement to activating sponsorships, navigating high-profile communications and expanding community partnerships, this role brings our mission and values to life.

The ideal candidate is a strategic storyteller, trusted relationship builder and collaborative leader who turns insights into action and inspires a high-performing team.

Modern Woodmen of America is one of the nation’s largest fraternal benefit societies, with over $18 billion assets. Fraternals are unique membership organizations that pair the “member-owned” characteristic of a mutual insurance company with the “social mission” characteristic of a service organization. They unite individuals with common bonds, provide a variety of life insurance and investment products, and form one of the nation’s most effective volunteer networks.

Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement and manage integrated public relations, social media, sponsorship, community engagement and reputation strategies that align with organizational goals and brand standards.
• Promote and protect the organization’s brand by identifying storytelling opportunities, monitoring reputation signals and supporting proactive and responsive communication efforts.
• Lead crisis communications and issues management support, including message development, scenario planning, media monitoring, stakeholder coordination and timely response recommendations.
• Write, edit and coordinate distribution of press releases, media statements, talking points, executive messages, articles, social media content, sponsorship materials and other external communications.
• Build and maintain relationships with media contacts, community organizations, sponsorship partners, influencers, internal leaders and other external stakeholders.
• Lead social media strategy across appropriate platforms, including editorial planning, publishing, community management, engagement monitoring, trend response and performance optimization.
• Manage sponsorship strategy and activation, including evaluation of opportunities, partner alignment, deliverable coordination, budget tracking, on-site or campaign support and post-activation analysis.
• Coordinate public relations, sponsorship and community outreach activities that increase visibility, strengthen relationships and support the organization’s mission and values.
• Serve as a key communications partner between enterprise marketing and field communications, helping translate PR, social media, sponsorship and reputation initiatives into clear, actionable messaging that supports field engagement and aligns with organizational priorities.
• Serve as a key communications partner with field marketing support team, helping translate PR, social media, sponsorship and reputation initiatives into clear, actionable messaging that supports field engagement and aligns with organizational priorities.
• Partner with internal departments and leaders to ensure communications are timely, accurate, audience-appropriate and aligned with broader organizational initiatives.
• Use analytics, social listening, media monitoring, sentiment insights and campaign results to evaluate effectiveness, identify trends and recommend improvements.
• Maintain awareness of public relations, crisis communication, social media, sponsorship, creator/influencer engagement and communication trends, tools and best practices.
• Lead, coach, and develop assigned team members to promote effective service delivery, professional growth, and alignment with department priorities. Foster a positive, professional, and high-performing work environment. 

What we need:

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, marketing, journalism, business or a related field required; equivalent related experience may be considered.
• Minimum of seven years of progressive experience in public relations, communications, social media, sponsorships, marketing, crisis communications or a related field preferred.
• Previous leadership or supervisory experience.
• Connect PR, social media and sponsorship strategies to organizational priorities and measurable outcomes.
• Build strong relationships with leaders, media, community and sponsorship partners and other stakeholders.
• Manage multiple priorities with creativity, attention to detail and follow-through.
• Use communication metrics, media coverage, sentiment and campaign results to guide recommendations.
• Demonstrate discretion, sound judgment and professionalism in sensitive or high-profile matters.
• Excellent writing, editing, presentation and message-development skills.

What we offer:

• Pay: The annual salary range is $105,000-$120,000. The specific rate will depend on the successful candidate’s qualifications and prior experience. Candidates outside of the range are encouraged to apply, and will be considered based on experience, skill and education. 
• Work Arrangements: This is a full-time office focused, salaried position. Office focused positions work on-site due to the nature of the work and have limited remote days.
• Stability: Modern Woodmen has been Modern Since 1883® and exists for our members. We make long-term decisions that provide stability for our employees, financial representatives, and members.
• Respect for personal time: We offer vacation, sick leave and 11 paid holidays. We value your time outside of work and offer careers that blend work and life well.
• Professional growth: Benefit from our commitment to employee development which includes educational offerings to enhance your knowledge of our industry.
• Great culture: We build strong working relationships across our organization through collaborative work and volunteer opportunities.
• A beautiful office: Enjoy a beautiful view! Our home office, located in downtown Rock Island, IL, has a lovely plaza overlooking the Mississippi River.
• On-site Café: Our employees can purchase a variety of breakfast, lunch, and beverage options at Café 1883.
• A thriving local community: Not from the Quad Cities and hesitant to consider relocation? Give it some thought. The Quad Cities offers an idyllic Midwestern lifestyle along the mighty Mississippi and consistently ranks at the top of the list for quality of life and cost of living. It is home to more than our fair share of artists, festivals, and fun in every season.
• Exceptional benefits: Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support your health and financial well-being. Benefits include:
• Company-paid retirement plan
• Matching 401(k) plan
• Medical, Dental and Prescription Drug Insurance. We pay 100% of employees’ health insurance premiums and 50% of employee dependents’ premiums.
• Group term life insurance.
• Long-term and short-term disability.
• Employee Impact Bonus
• Voluntary benefits: vision, flexible savings accounts (FSA), accident insurance

Modern Woodmen is an equal opportunity employer. Modern Woodmen is committed to providing a respectful environment where each person’s diverse opinions, attitudes, attributes, and feelings are respected.