Sr. Manager, Contents and Communications in Irving, Texas at Promotional Products Assoc International

Job Title: Senior Manager, Content & Communications

Location: Irving, TX or Remote

Reports To: Senior Director, Media, Research & Public Affairs

Job Summary

The Senior Manager, Content & Communications, is the operating leader for PPAI’s external storytelling engine, with primary responsibility for a key content marketing initiative in support of our industry. Responsibilities include content development, industry advocacy and reputation management, and driving earned media. This function encompasses public relations, broadcast and multimedia products, and key industry awards programs, leading global campaign storytelling to PPAI members as well as external decision makers to enhance industry perceptions and outcomes. The role combines strong editorial judgment, hands-on writing and execution, people leadership and cross-functional coordination to ensure PPAI communicates consistently, credibly and at a high level on behalf of our industry across external audiences.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Media, Research & Public Affairs, this leader serves as the primary editor for external marketing campaign content, directs day-to-day PR activity, guides scripting and editorial direction for broadcast initiatives, and manages internal and external content resources. The role works closely with Marketing, Creative Services, Business Development and senior leadership to translate strategy, research and organizational priorities into compelling communications that strengthen awareness of branded merchandise and advance the reputation of the medium and of PPAI.

This is a player-coach role. The Senior Manager is expected to set direction and manage resources while also writing, editing, pitching and producing work directly when needed. Success requires consistent follow-through, high editorial standards, strong external instincts and the ability to move multiple programs forward without routine senior-leader intervention.

Key Responsibilities

Editorial & Content Leadership – 35%

• Serve as lead editor for external marketing campaign content, owning the day-to-day editorial calendar, story pipeline, assignments, publishing cadence and quality standards for the platform.
• Write and edit content for marketers, agencies and brand leaders, contributing directly to the platform while ensuring all work is useful, credible, engaging and aligned to the campaign strategy.
• Manage a full-time contract content specialist and other freelance writers, creators and vendors, setting clear assignments, deadlines, expectations and editorial standards.
• Oversee the visual expression of campaign content in partnership with Marketing and Creative Services, ensuring articles, research, video, social assets, newsletters and other executions maintain a consistent and compelling brand experience.
• Identify opportunities to turn PPAI research, member expertise, case studies and industry proof points into high-value content for the broader marketing community.
• Coordinate with Marketing on audience acquisition, social distribution, influencer activity and campaign support, and with Business Development on sponsorable or revenue-generating opportunities that protect audience trust.

Public Relations & Reputation – 35%

• Strategize and execute PPAI’s day-to-day public relations program, building a consistent cadence of proactive outreach and visible external wins.
• Develop and pitch story ideas, experts, research findings and industry perspectives to trade, business, marketing and mainstream media outlets.
• Write and edit press releases, paid-media articles, executive bylines, contributed content, talking points and other external communications.
• Build, maintain and segment media and influencer lists; organize contacts, outreach history, placements and supporting data so activity is repeatable and measurable.
• Track and organize PR performance data, including share of voice, quality of coverage, sentiment and other agreed measures, and provide regular reporting and recommendations.
• Support issues management, executive visibility and crisis communications in partnership with the Senior Director, CMO and executive leadership.
• Develop relationships with journalists, creators, professional organizations and other external voices that can expand PPAI’s credibility and reach.
• Collaborate with leadership to support and strengthen PPAI internal communications (staff, volunteers and members).

Broadcast & Multimedia – 15%

• Lead editorial direction, scripting and content development for PPAI broadcast initiatives, including podcasts, video series, interviews and other multimedia programming.
• Collaborate with the Senior Director, various department leaders and other stakeholders on multimedia strategy, format development, audience priorities and opportunities to extend content across channels.
• Manage the Broadcast Manager as a direct report, setting priorities, programming expectations, deadlines and quality standards while supporting professional development.
• Ensure broadcast work is planned as part of the broader communications calendar and contributes to member media, campaign goals, social distribution and revenue opportunities where appropriate.

Awards, Recognition & External Representation – 10%

• Manage assigned PPAI awards and recognition programs that identify and celebrate the branded merchandise industry at its best.
• Own program calendars, communications, editorial support and cross-functional coordination to ensure awards are credible, well executed and aligned with PPAI’s broader industry narrative.
• Represent and speak on behalf of PPAI and the global campaign on occasion at industry events, partner meetings, interviews, panels or other external opportunities.
• Help identify members, case studies, campaigns and industry voices that can serve as proof points for branded merchandise and strengthen PPAI storytelling.

Team, Vendor & Performance Management – 5%

• Manage assigned staff, contractors, agencies and freelance vendors with clear scopes, priorities, deadlines, quality expectations and accountability.
• Build dependable workflows and operating rhythms across content, PR, broadcast and awards so execution does not depend on repeated senior-level prompting.
• Set and monitor practical KPIs across the campaign, PR, broadcast and awards, using performance data to improve content, distribution and communications decisions.
• Provide regular updates to the Senior Director on performance, risks, opportunities, resource needs and recommended adjustments.
• Contribute to budget planning and manage assigned expenses and vendor relationships to ensure resources support measurable organizational value.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with the range to produce audience-facing editorial content, executive bylines, media materials, scripts and concise strategic communications.
• Strong editorial judgment and the ability to identify stories, angles, data positioning and proof points that will resonate with marketers, media and other external audiences.
• Demonstrated public relations capability, including pitching, media relations, list management, contributed content and performance tracking.
• Ability to lead a digital content platform with a consistent publishing cadence, multiple contributors and clear audience goals.
• Experience developing scripts and providing editorial direction for podcasts, video or other multimedia formats.
• Strong people and vendor management skills, including the ability to influence or lead employees, contractors, freelancers and agency partners simultaneously.
• Excellent project management and organizational discipline, with a track record of moving multiple workstreams forward without sacrificing quality or deadlines.
• Strong relationship-building skills and comfort working across Marketing, Creative Services, Business Development, executive leadership and outside partners.
• Comfort using audience, media and performance data to judge effectiveness, identify opportunities and improve execution.
• Confidence representing a brand externally and communicating with professional audiences when called upon.

Job Status

• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Compensation: Salary
• Job Status: Full-Time
• Daily Schedule: Flexible
• Work Location: Hybrid Remote Work Model (preferred to work from HQ location, but Remote considered equally)

Physical Activity

• Sitting
• Standing
• Lifting
• Pushing/Pulling
• Bending/Stooping
• Extended work hours, extended weeks (endurance requirement)

Work Environment

• Office environment
• Trade show floor or event venues
• Temperature controlled environment
• Travel: Must be able to travel (approximately 10%)

PPAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)

• At least 8-10 years of experience in communications, journalism, public relations, content marketing, media or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience as an editor, writer or content lead with responsibility for publishing quality and contributor management.
• Hands-on public relations experience, including pitching, media relations, executive or contributed writing and performance measurement.
• Experience managing at least one direct report as well as contractors, freelancers, agencies or other external partners.
• Experience with multimedia programming, podcasting, video production or broadcast content development strongly preferred.
• Experience working with a non-profit, association, media organization, marketing organization or member-driven environment a plus.
• Experience in or strong familiarity with the branded merchandise, promotional products, advertising specialty or related marketing services industries is highly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing or a related field; equivalent professional experience considered.
• Relevant communications, PR, content marketing or leadership certifications a plus.