Job Title: Communications Manager

Department: Consumer Marketing

Reports to: CEO

Hours Available: M-F 8:30am-5:30pm (1-hour lunch break)

FLSA Class: Exempt

Salary Range: $76,000 - $128,000 (Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law)

Why Work @ BEDGEAR?

If you’re looking for a career and not just a job, BEDGEAR provides a work environment that accelerates growth for all its team members. Keeping up with the everyday challenges of a fast-growing consumer goods company demands a team of all-in players, who are focused on continuous improvement, collaboration, leadership, and have a growth-mindset. If you want to elevate yourself personally and professionally, surrounding yourself with others that share the same values, beliefs, and behaviors will provide the support and extra push to reach new heights and smash new goals. At BEDGEAR you can expect to find successful teammates who exemplify our core values of being:

HUNGRY - HUMBLE - CURIOUS - CLEVER - COMMITTED - HUMANITARIAN

About BEDGEAR® PERFORMANCE®

Launched in 2009, BEDGEAR® is the brand of Performance® that provides innovative bedding by focusing on an active lifestyle and well-being. BEDGEAR’s sleep solutions are engineered with Performance fabrics that are temperature neutral and instant cooling and maximizes airflow to allow the body to naturally regulate its temperature. With a core belief of One Size Does Not Fit All™, BEDGEAR has redefined the way people view sleep by developing interactive in-store experiences and breathable bedding products that are personally fit to a consumer based on specific factors, including body type, sleep position and temperature. BEDGEAR is dedicated to integrating environmental responsibility into product development to ensure less returned goods are being sent to landfills. BEDGEAR is essential to the rest and recovery routines of professional athletes and active people who need to maximize their sleep. A proud manufacturer in the USA, BEDGEAR offers mattresses, pillows, sheets, blankets, pet beds as well as travel, kids and baby products that often feature removable and washable covers to maintain a clean and healthy sleep environment. BEDGEAR is represented in more than 4,000 retail stores across the globe and has earned more than 220 U.S. and worldwide patents, trademark registrations and pending applications. Sleep Fuels Everything®!

Learn more at bedgear.com.

Summary: The Communications Manager will be responsible for building visibility and preference to the BEDGEAR performance lifestyle brand through PR initiatives. This role includes managing internal and external communications, coordinating media relations, and planning and executing press events.

Essential Functions (include but not limited to):

• Develop our direct to consumer and industry PR strategies aligning with the priorities of Bedgear’s business goals and target audiences.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key members of industry and business press including journalists, editors, and influencers.
• Generate relevant product and brand coverage across multiple outlet types through both innovative pitching and relationships within the lifestyle, health/fitness, home, sports and gear outlets for consumer press and industry publications and awards for business press.
• Write, edit, and distribute press releases, media alerts and pitch letters targeted for business and industry media.
• Arrange interviews, speaking events, awards with business and industry press.
• Manage our PR agency to strategize consumer press focus each month including timing and topics for monthly pitches and press releases.
• Implement approved media strategies to support brand awareness and increase positive public exposure.   
• Plan and execute PR events, product launches, and press conferences to generate media coverage and promote Bedgear’s brand and products.
• Manage LinkedIn content and posting with goals including increased followers and engagement.  
• Monitor media coverage and PR performance, providing regular reports and insights to the leadership team.
• Manage the PR budget effectively, allocating resources for maximum impact.
• Manage key brand partnerships, such as Bedgear’s Dallas Mavericks relationship and brand ambassadors.
• Research and generate short-lead national and regional editor contacts (weekly magazines, newspapers, online outlets, blogs).
• Daily interaction with various media outlets to discuss upcoming story ideas and pitch the BEDGEAR brand/products.
• Work collaboratively with team members to develop and implement successful PR campaigns.
• Attend and facilitate media interviews; network with reporters and editors.
• Responsible for agendas, recaps, activity reports and product sampling for regional retail programs.
• Able to lead, encourage, mentor, and develop junior staff members.
• Proven ability to work well under pressure with tight deadlines.

This job description is intended as a general guideline and should not be considered an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The Communications Manager may be required to perform additional duties, as well as be tasked with special projects as needed.

MUST HAVE:

Ability to prioritize effectively and operate efficiently; use sound judgment to make rational decisions; ability to recognize opportunities and evoke change where applicable; must be objective v. subjective; strong follow up skills; intrapersonal skills; excellent communication skills; attention to detail and process orientation; problem solving skills; coaching and mentoring skills; must have thorough understanding of company’s confidentiality agreement.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• HS Diploma or GED
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States and have IDs needed to verify.
• English proficient (reading, writing, speaking, comprehension)
• Computer savvy; proficient with Microsoft Office, Cision, Meltwater, Photoshop
• Travel offsite to various events, up to 10% of the time.

Sensory Requirements: Should have working use of hearing and vision with or without the use of corrective lenses/hearing aids to be able to read paperwork, work on a computer screen for an extended period of time, and frequently speak on the phone.

Environmental: N/A - indoor office environment

Education/Experience/License Requirements:

• 3-5 years of relevant PR agency or corporate communications experience.

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably with a focus on Public Relations, Marketing, English Journalism, or related field.
• Has exceptional interpersonal, networking, verbal, and written communications skills
• Proficient in: Microsoft Office Suite, Cision Monitoring, Meltwater and Photoshop
• Is actively engaged with online influencers and stays up to date on trend stories in active lifestyle, gear, sports, and fitness.
• Possesses strong press and influencer contacts in a wide range of areas such as fitness, home décor, gear, men’s lifestyle, outdoor & lifestyle.
• Experience crafting and pitching stories.
• Highly organized, strong attention to detail, self-directed, ability to multi-task and reprioritize quickly in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience working with key influencers.
• Ideal candidate will have a network of editor and key influencer contacts.

Language Skills: English proficiency required (reading, writing, speaking, comprehension). Knowledge of an additional language(s) is a plus!

Mathematical Skills: Basic arithmetic and algebra

Reasoning Ability: Solid understanding of branding and marketing communications strategies and tactics; excellent planning and problem-solving skills with limited resources; ability to effectively prioritize and project manage multiple assignments at any given time. Ability to use judgement to make important decisions.

Work Environment:  Indoor office environment most times; may require field work at media events that may be indoor or outdoor. Must be comfortable in a large social setting and with public speaking.

Physical Demands:

Key:

N-Never

O-Occasional; 1-33% of time

F-Frequent; 34-66% of time

C-Constant; 67-100% of time

BEDGEAR® is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer that participates in the E-Verify program!