Public & Government Relations Consultant

A career at The Auto Club Group (ACG) can be satisfying, exciting and rewarding. By aligning your professional development with our business objectives, ACG can help you attain your career goals — and make a difference. Get started by choosing the career that’s right for you.

Aurora, IL

The Auto Club Group

AAA was founded over 100 years ago for the purpose of lobbying for driver and passenger rights, fair laws and safer vehicles — all to better promote the love of the open road and the adventure of driving. Since then, AAA has grown to over 50 million members strong, while providing valuable membership services such as roadside assistance. Additionally, AAA has broadened its horizons to include all types of travel-related services, as well as offer a variety of insurance and financial products and services. Today’s AAA is a national federation comprised of more than 50 individual clubs throughout the United States and Canada. Whether you’re traveling around the world or to the corner grocery store, planning a honeymoon or weekend road trip, learning to drive or in need of a battery boost, the best way to begin your journey is with AAA. http://michigan.aaa.com/

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Full-Time

Competitive Compensation and Benefits Package

Overview: <p>The Auto Club Group (ACG) provides membership, travel, insurance and financial services offerings to approximately 9 million members and customers across 11 states and 2 U.S. territories through the AAA, Meemic and Fremont brands. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation and is the second largest AAA club in North America.</p> <p><strong><u>Work Environment:</u></strong></p> <p>Work in a temperature-controlled office environment.&nbsp;Requires travel within assigned region and working irregular hours when necessary.</p> <p><strong><br /> <u>Compensation</u></strong><br /> The Auto Club Group offers a competitive compensation and benefits packages including a base salary with performance-based incentives; medical/dental/vision insurance, pension, 401(k), generous time off, a complimentary AAA Membership and much more!</p>
Responsibilities: <p>Work independently, with guidance only in the most complex situations, to develop, plan, implement and evaluate an integrated strategic communications plan to advance the company&rsquo;s brand identity and broaden awareness of ACG&rsquo;s programs and priorities. Create and maintain a favorable public image of the organization through strategic communication across various media platforms (radio, television, newspaper, new media, etc.). Design media releases and other forms of communication to: inform the public of various corporate initiatives, advocacy and public policy initiatives, respond to critical situations and increase awareness of ACG&rsquo;s mission. Provide media support to individual business lines as needed.</p> <p>Serve as the PR liaison for internal and external business partners. Develop lines of communication with media contacts and other external audiences. Maintain and expand upon strong, positive relationships with members of the news media, continually positioning ACG as an expert source for information relevant to our advocacy efforts and community involvement. Identify new media-oriented opportunities and initiate programs and campaigns to support corporate goals.</p> <p>Lead PR projects and project teams tasked with conducting project analysis, developing and using various mediums to execute PR strategies/plans. Identify and utilize the appropriate resources to complete projects. Forecast and communicate potential project outcomes to senior leaders. Work with management to develop "branding" opportunities. Develop a matrix for measuring PR success and areas of needed improvement.</p> <p>When the Legislature is in session in assigned states, work with the Government Relations department to: analyze and monitor legislative developments and perform lobbying activities when directed to do so. When necessary, provide written and oral testimony before legislative bodies. Participate with inter-industry organizations and serve on various committees when appropriate. Represent ACG at political and community function as necessary.</p> <p>Interpret issues and foresee any problems. Take a broad perspective to identify, analyze and recommend innovative approaches to address and resolve highly complex problems. Make recommendations for improvements to PR methods, processes and procedures. Act as a resource to less experienced staff.</p>
Requirements: <p><strong>Required Qualifications:</strong></p> <p><strong>Education:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Bachelor&rsquo;s Degree in Mass Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience.</li> <li>Successful completion of Company media training.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Experience:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Extensive experience in public relations account management.</li> <li>Developing strong relationships with the media and external audiences.</li> <li>Five years of experience writing and editing communications and working on video/print production for publications (press releases, sound bites, announcements, articles, stories).</li> <li>Developing and executing public relations and communication strategies, plans, and programs</li> <li>Web and graphics design.</li> <li>Working with Adobe Creative Suite.</li> <li>Interacting with and providing public relations and communication counsel to upper management.</li> <li>Social media and blogging.</li> <li>Interviewing subject matter experts.</li> <li>Developing branding on projects.</li> <li>Analyzing impact of legislation/regulation on company activity.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Knowledge / Skills:</strong></p> <p><strong>Knowledge of:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Public relations project management techniques.</li> <li>Media relations techniques.</li> <li>Script writing techniques.</li> <li>Current and emerging communication techniques (i.e., social media, blogging, video, mobile and Infographics).</li> <li>The legislative process.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Ability to:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills (a writing sample may be required at time of application or screening).</li> <li>Communicate effectively with politicians, government agencies, internal business partners, industry partners, management and the public.</li> <li>Demonstrate strong public speaking voice.</li> <li>Work independently and handle several projects simultaneously.</li> <li>Demonstrate solid project management skills.</li> <li>Demonstrate strong analytical skills with an aptitude for creative solutions.</li> <li>Provide counsel to all levels of management on public relations processes/issues.</li> <li>Handle special assignments and confidential reports as requested.</li> <li>Design graphics to accompany communications.</li> <li>Develop a communication strategy as it relates to various communication mediums.</li> <li>Develop "branding" as necessary for projects.</li> </ul>