Communications Manager

Summary

Niche is a school search platform that helps students and families research and enroll in schools while helping schools recruit students. The Communications Manager will lead day-to-day public relations and media relations, execute communications campaigns, translate data and research into compelling stories, and support awards and speaking opportunities. The role collaborates with Data, Social Media, Marketing, and Content teams to strengthen Niche’s credibility, brand, and reach.

Responsibilities

• Drive Niche's earned media execution across trade, consumer, and business press, as well as the newsletters, Substacks, podcasts, and other platforms where our B2B and B2C audiences pay attention
• Manage inbound media requests with speed and sound judgment, protecting Niche's reputation, seeing around corners, and keeping messaging on brand
• Own the go-to-market strategy and execution of our three annual rankings releases, with clear direction and strong collaboration
• Write and edit a range of external materials (press releases, media pitches, talking points, FAQs, etc.) with sharp attention to detail
• Help prepare executives for interviews and speaking opportunities: talk tracks, Q&A prep, briefing docs, etc
• Partner with the Content and Social Media teams to integrate communications wins into broader campaigns and to amplify across channels
• Translate data and research, from our economist work to Niche's proprietary data, into compelling, defensible story angles for earned and owned media
• Proactively track and report performance via media monitoring and AI tools, using insights to inform decision-making and recommendations
• Use AI tools to accelerate research, inspire concepts, interpret data, create assets, and more — paired with strong judgment, fact-checking, and brand standards
• Test and build Projects, Skills, and automations to streamline workflows, scale productivity, and improve communication
• Build and manage a pipeline of awards submissions and speaking opportunities that grow Niche's credibility and executive visibility
• Identify the conferences worth pursuing and own the submission process throughout

Skills

• 4–6 years of PR/communications experience, ideally in-house at a fast-moving tech company
• A proven media relations operator: you know how to build and maintain relationships
• Track record of data storytelling and translating research into earned media and thought leadership
• Sharp writer and editor across formats
• Familiar with how earned, owned, and shared media work together, and how to extend a good story across channels
• Experienced and comfortable using AI tools such as Claude to accelerate things like research, messaging, and reporting
• Awareness of how PR and earned media influences LLM-powered search and brand discoverability
• Extremely organized, accountable, and able to manage up to keep projects moving
• Niche will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future for this opening
• We are currently hiring in states where we currently have employees: AZ, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MO, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, DC, WV
• Candidates only. No recruiters or agencies, please. Sorry, we do not offer relocation assistance
• Experience across B2B and B2C preferred; bonus if for a marketplace/platform

Qualifications

Must Haves

• 4–6 years of PR/communications experience, ideally in-house at a fast-moving tech company
• A proven media relations operator: you know how to build and maintain relationships
• Track record of data storytelling and translating research into earned media and thought leadership
• Sharp writer and editor across formats
• Familiar with how earned, owned, and shared media work together, and how to extend a good story across channels
• Experienced and comfortable using AI tools such as Claude to accelerate things like research, messaging, and reporting
• Awareness of how PR and earned media influences LLM-powered search and brand discoverability
• Extremely organized, accountable, and able to manage up to keep projects moving
• Niche will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future for this opening
• We are currently hiring in states where we currently have employees: AZ, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MO, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, DC, WV
• Candidates only. No recruiters or agencies, please. Sorry, we do not offer relocation assistance

Nice to Haves

• Experience across B2B and B2C preferred; bonus if for a marketplace/platform

Benefits

• Participation in the Annual Bonus and Stock Option Program
• Fully flexible workforce empowering employees to choose to work remotely, in the Pittsburgh office or whatever combination suits them
• Best-in-class 100% paid employee health plan, including vision and dental and supplemental coverage
• Flexible Paid Time Off Policy
• Stipend that allows you to build your work from home office in a style and function that suits your personal preferences
• Parental leave for all employees (12 weeks fully paid) in addition to short term disability for birthing parents
• Meaningful 401(k) with employer match
• Your ideas and work will make an immediate impact on our company and millions of users
• You will join a team that cares about you, our mission, our work - and celebrates our wins together!