Public Relations Manager

JOB SUMMARY: The Public Relations Manager is responsible for leading the organization's earned media, community outreach, and crisis response and reputation management efforts. This position serves as the company's primary spokesperson and official point of contact for media inquiries, building and maintaining relationships with local and regional media outlets as well as gaming trade and industry publications, and must be comfortable appearing on air and participating in live interviews on behalf of the company. As a key member of the crisis response function, the Public Relations Manager will develop and execute crisis communication protocols, serve as the designated liaison with law enforcement agencies including Quapaw Nation Marshals and local police during critical incidents, and provides executive training to leadership — including onboarding, periodic refreshers, and pre-incident preparation. The ideal candidate brings a strong public relations foundation paired with experience in crisis communications, media relations, and community engagement within a regulated industry.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Earned Media

Draft and execute a comprehensive earned media strategy.

Serve as the company's primary spokesperson and official point of contact for media inquiries.

Build and maintain relationships with local and regional media outlets, journalists, and reporters.

Build and maintain relationships with gaming trade and industry publications.

Draft press releases, media statements, pitch materials, and talking points on behalf of the company.

Leverage existing news-worthy assets, including company announcements, executive thought leadership, data/research, and customer stories.

Monitor media coverage and public sentiment to proactively address emerging narratives.

Coordinate media interviews and manage media requests in a timely manner.

Reputation Management & Crisis Response

Proactively build and protect the company's public reputation through positive narrative development and thought leadership.

Reactively manage reputation threats, including monitoring and addressing misinformation or inaccurate reporting.

Build crisis communication protocols and procedures, establishing the framework for both PR/media crises and operational incidents.

Act as the designated liaison between the company and law enforcement agencies during critical incidents.

Lead crisis communications strategy, ensuring timely, accurate, and coordinated messaging across all channels.

Communicate crisis processes and protocols to executive leadership and provide executive training, including onboarding for new leaders, periodic refreshers, and pre-incident preparation.

Community Outreach

Plan, coordinate, and execute participation in off-site community activities.

Take ownership of established community engagements and further develop the organization's community presence.

Build relationships with local community leaders, civic organizations, and nonprofit groups.

Serve as a visible, trusted representative of the company at community events and functions.

Ensure community outreach activities align with and support the company's broader reputation and earned media objectives.

Perform other duties as assigned.
 

The Downstream Casino Resort Adheres to all applicable Resolutions of the Quapaw Nation. Native American Preference policy does apply. 

Under Downstream Casino Resort employment, the duties described in this job description will also be performed for other Quapaw Nation owned business enterprises as needed, including, but not limited to, LLC enterprises, Quapaw Casino, and the Quapaw Nation business office.