Public Relations and Communications Manager

YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta Open · verified Sep 10, 2026

Atlanta Full-time Manager Public Relations

Mid-level Public Relations role at YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta. Atlanta · full-time.

Role brief

Growth Roles summary, based on the employer's posting.

What you'll do

Build media relationships, pitch journalists, and handle press materials for local and national coverage
Run internal communications and keep website and employee intranet content timely and aligned
Plan media visits and interviews, prepare talking points, and coach staff and partners
Track earned-media results and intranet engagement, then recommend improvements
Coordinate story ideas and content with marketing, communications, branches, and partner teams

What you bring

Bring a communications, marketing, journalism, or public relations degree plus at least four years of related experience
Alternatively, qualify with a high school diploma and at least six years supporting social media and content operations
Write, edit, and proof accurately, with strong AP style knowledge and polished professional communication
Manage multiple projects with careful organization, detail focus, and project management experience
Support stories across channels and work with creative teams, vendors, or agencies

Who this fits

You’ll fit this role if you care about the YMCA’s mission and can work across media, internal communications, and partner teams. The role is hybrid in Atlanta, with required in-person meetings, local branch travel, and occasional scheduled evening or weekend work. You need reliable transportation, U.S. work authorization without current or future sponsorship, and the ability to pass background, drug, motor vehicle, and reference checks.

From the employer

As a thought-leader and best-in-class provider in education, wellness, youth development, and community-building, The YMCA of Metro Atlanta is one of the oldest and most essential non-profits serving in Atlanta. Today, we’re looking for you to join us as we carry out our mission to positively impact lives and communities across the state.

At the Y, we’re an association of like-minded people (staff, volunteers, and members), on the forefront of a movement to ensure that everyone -- especially children -- experience an equal opportunity to reach their full potential. In the course of a year, we provide more than 3,000 children, ages 6 weeks through Pre-K with high-quality literacy and STEAM-infused learning; give 58,000 youth and teens access to sports, aquatics, day and resident camps, teen leadership development programs, and employment opportunities; provide over 200,000 members with programs, services, and facilities to enjoy connection and maintain wellness regardless of age; and engage over 25,000 volunteers and donors from across Atlanta to share in the gift of supporting their communities.

NATURE AND SCOPE:

Reporting directly to the Vice President of Communications, the Public Relations and Communications Manager is responsible for the overall public relations and internal communications for the YMCA of Metro Atlanta.

Responsibilities include developing and implementing the Y’s strategy to build understanding and trust for the association for both internal and external audiences and stakeholders. As Manager, you will contribute to the creation of public relations strategies, forge relationships with local and national media, and manage tactical execution, including pitching journalists. You will also manage internal communications and the Y’s intranet to ensure timely, accurate, and aligned messaging across the association.

The ideal candidate will be equally confident in writing press releases and managing detailed media relations as developing story ideas and coordinating content across the Y’s communication channels.

RESPONSIBILITIES (including, but not limited to):

Media Relations, Public Relations & Crisis Communications

Serve as a point of contact for local and national media
Create & distribute media communications including press releases, media advisories, pitches, etc.
Secure, plan, and facilitate media visits, remaining on-call during visits, and execute post-visit follow up
Secure, prepare, and facilitate media opportunities and interviews
Develop and review talking points and prep staff and partners for media interviews
Day-to-day management & direction of PR agency of record
Support crisis communications planning and execution as directed by Vice President of Communications

Internal Communications & Intranet

Develop and execute internal communications plans aligned with organizational goals
Collaborate with association teams including, but not limited to, HR, Operations, IT, Philanthropy, Social Impact, Early Learning, as well as branches to distribute key updates and resources
Monitor intranet engagement and recommend improvements
Manage content on the Y’s website, including the blog and media room, as well as our employee intranet

Strategy, Content & Collaboration

Collaboration with Content & Communications Specialist, as well as marketing communications team and other internal and external partners, on story ideas and content distribution
Assist with and collaborate on larger, strategic YMCA of Metro Atlanta marketing efforts
Maintain active knowledge of the Y’s offerings and new developments

Reporting, Engagement & Additional Responsibilities

On-going reporting of all earned media, showcasing PR performance with measurement analytics
On-going reporting and optimization recommendations for employee intranet
Represent YMCA of Metro Atlanta at local events and industry functions
Additional administrative duties and special projects as assigned

REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, or a related field and 4+ years of experience in public relations or communications OR High school diploma with 6+ years of experience supporting social media and content operations
Excellent writing, editing, and proofing skills
Strong interpersonal communication skills with the ability to communicate professionally, collaboratively and effectively
Exceptional organizational skills and detail orientation to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Superior interpersonal skills
Expertise in AP style
Experience with project management
Team-oriented work style
Experience supporting storytelling across multiple communication channels
Experience working with creative teams, vendors, or agencies in a management role
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Ability to follow established processes and manage multiple tasks simultaneously
Commitment to the YMCA’s mission and values
Reliable transportation for travel locally in the metro Atlanta area
Ability to pass background and motor vehicle record checks

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, marketing, or related field of study or higher
6+ years of experience in public relations
Agency experience plus

WORK ENVIRONMENT & EXPECTATIONS

Hybrid work schedule with required in-person meetings and occasional travel to YMCA branches.
Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed to support scheduled content activities. This not an on-call position and after hours or weekend work would be scheduled ahead of time.

Employment and Benefits package for this job posting is offered through the YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta, Inc.

Employment Requirement:

Ability to pass a pre-employment background check including Criminal Record check, Drug Screening, motor vehicle record (MVR) and reference check according to company policy.
Must be legally eligible to work in the US without current or future sponsorship.

This job posting is subject to change at any time.

The YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta offers excellent benefits and career opportunities as part of our culture of excellence. The opportunities to serve are vast, and we’re looking for like minded people, who share our values of CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT, and RESPONSIBILITY to join us and do their best work.

The YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by law.

Location:

YMCA Leadership and Learning Center