Minnesota Nurses Association
345 Randolph Avenue #200, St. Paul, MN  55102
Fax: 651-695-7000  Web: www.mnnurses.org
 

Public Relations Specialist

Based out of St. Paul, MN
(position may be eligible for a hybrid work schedule upon passage of probation)

 

POSITION TITLE: Public Relations Specialist
DATE: July 14, 2025
ACCOUNTABLE TO: Director of Governmental and Community Relations
AVAILABLE: Immediately

RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position will work to promote and achieve the goals and priorities of the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) by providing professional and technical guidance and strategic recommendations in developing effective media and external communications to MNA members and the public. The Public Relations Specialist will focus on earned and paid external communications including media and public relations, and marketing.

Primary Job Duties:

• Establish and maintain relationships with members of the media and journalists
• Write press releases and shepherd through approval process
• Draft position statements and respond to requests by media and others
• Identify opportunities to proactively pitch stories to local and national media
• Find and prepare nurse advocates to speak to the media 
• Write member remarks for public speaking opportunities
• Update and maintain accurate lists of media contacts
• Develop, review and provide direction on brand strategy and visual identity across all channels to ensure accuracy, consistency and relevance 
• Oversee the creation, production, and distribution of materials for marketing initiatives
• Introduce and oversee tools, processes, and systems to manage, measure, and track effectiveness of efforts, analyze results, and guide actions based on insights
• Create and provide reports on MNA’s earned and paid media regularly
• Develop MNA’s external communications strategy and messaging plan
• Work with applicable external communications consultants on projects related to member and public polling, message and theme development, and paid media
• Act as the external voice of MNA, working in collaboration with others to determine tone and content of MNA communications
• Coordinate with all MNA departments and necessary structural bodies to develop and maintain an overall MNA public relations campaign as well as campaigns around contract negotiation, new organizing, legislative and electoral work, and healthcare delivery and policy initiatives
• Create external content for MNA’s publicly targeted communications channels
• Provide media training for MNA members and elected leaders 

Secondary Job Duties:

• Participate in and collaborate with MNA’s Statweide Events Committee to plan external events
• Serve as backup for others in the Communications Department, including; Digital Communications Specialist, Internal Communications Specialist, and Production and Graphics Specialist
• Develop ideas for and writing of campaign themes, articles, interviews, and presentations
• Collaborate and execute external communications campaigns with the Minnesota AFL-CIO and other partners
• Act as liaison between MNA external communication consultants and the organization, as appropriate
• Take photographs and videos of MNA events 
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications or other relevant areas of study;
• 5-10 years of experience in public or media relations, journalism, or external facing communications;
• Successful completion of at least one electoral, public policy, labor or similar campaign in which you operated in an external communications role;
• Proven record of strong external communication skills
• Ability to work flexible hours when needed

OR 

• a combination of education and experience that demonstrates an applicant’s knowledge of team leadership and external communications

AND a combination of the following.

• Knowledge of unions, the labor movement, and their mission 
• Knowledge of union organizing, political, and advocacy campaigns
• Knowledge of healthcare and nursing issues
• Ability to educate and train members and diverse audiences to understand issues and translate their experiences into content 
• Strong relationships with members of media
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Efficient writing and editing skills
• Excellent organizational and time management skills 
• Excellent communication skills and ability to develop constructive relationships
• Ability to accept feedback and move ideas you disagree with
• Capacity to prioritize tasks, work independently and be part of a team 

Work/life balance is prioritized, but as with many media relations positions weekends, evenings and travel to MNA facilities will be required. Reliable transportation required.

SALARY: MNASO Local 1, Unit 2 Contract Agreement. A salary range of $87,194 – $160,742, dependent on experience, with generous benefits including defined benefit pension, 401K matching, 100% employer-paid single and low-cost family health insurance coverage, 20 vacation days, 12 sick days, and 3 personal days, along with 12 paid holidays annually.

MNA is an EEO/AA Employer.

This position may be eligible for a hybrid work schedule (2 days at home/3 days in the office) upon successful completion of the probationary period. 

Contact:
Send letter of application, résumé, references and salary requirements to Brenda Woodall, HR Manager at: Brenda.Woodall@mnnurses.org.