About The Role

Optimal (formerly Effective Spend) is looking for an experienced Public Relations Manager to join our innovative SEO + Digital PR team. We are looking for a PR expert with a proven track record of developing creative pitch campaigns and executing them to secure high-quality press coverage. 

At Optimal, we are actively looking to scale standout candidates – those who are ready for significant opportunities and hungry to take on meaningful responsibilities that drive real business results for our clients. New employees that grow the fastest at our company are strategic problem solvers who are proactively looking to improve with innovative ideas but are also relentless at following through. 

As a Digital PR Manager for Optimal, you will also have the opportunity to grow your knowledge, skills, and experience within Search Engine Optimization.

Who Are We?

Optimal is a performance marketing agency on a mission, bringing together the best data, technology, and people to achieve our clients’ marketing goals. Brand, campaign, or cause: we maximize performance at every moment. 

We are not only digital media strategists – we’re award-winning industry leaders, with deep knowledge spanning all things digital: from advertising and paid media, to marketing and communications, to audience data and analytics, we deliver for our clients.

Everyone at Optimal has the opportunity to learn, grow, and progress. From our staff-led DEI initiatives to our proprietary training program, we provide our team with the personal and professional development they need to achieve real career advancement. 

We’re always looking for exceptional people to join our team. If this sounds like you, please apply!

Essential Functions, Duties, and Responsibilities:

• Research media contacts at leading digital publications, pitch content, and create meaningful media relationships to secure high-quality press coverage with authority referral links
• Collaborate with Optimal’s SEO content team to create high-quality content for use on client websites, public relations outreach, and link building efforts
• Monitor and respond to journalist queries on platforms like HARO
• Collaborate with the larger SEO team to develop 4-month client roadmaps that include measurable KPIs and innovative PR and link building strategies designed to meet client goals
• Analyze clients’ web analytics performance (using tools like Google Search Console, Google Analytics 4, and Ahrefs), create performance analysis reports, and present reports to clients and internal teams
• Manage client communications across all owned accounts, including email communication, monthly and ad hoc reporting, ad hoc presentations, and recurring client calls 
• Conduct Digital PR and link building audits or competitive analyses for new    and  existing clients
• Opportunity to manage and assist with training of junior PR specialists and strategists 

Minimum Qualifications & Skill Requirements:

• 3 or more years of full-time, professional PR experience.
• Experience and proven success in pitching and securing press placements with a variety of top and mid-tier publications.
• Excellent writing skills, applicable to both long and short-form content.
• Strong interpersonal skills – able to effectively build and manage relationships with clients, media, and colleagues.
• Excellent time management, organizational skills, and a high attention to detail.
• Familiar with Google Analytics 4 or other website reporting tools and the ability to extract meaningful insights from data analysis.
• 4-year Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Public Relations, Writing or a related field is strongly preferred.
• Agency experience is strongly preferred.
• Proficient with PR platforms (e.g. MuckRack, Cision, Meltwater) is a plus, but not required.
• SEO experience is a plus, but not required.
• Familiarity with SEO platforms (e.g. MOZ, Ahrefs, SEM Rush), is a plus but not required.

Optimal is proud to offer the following:

• The base salary ranges from $73,000 to $83,000 annually depending upon factors including, but not limited to, experience, skill level, education and location.
• Open leave (paid time off)
• Paid Leave for new parents
• Health insurance (including dental and vision)
• Flex Spending Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401K with company matching
• Student Loan Repayment Program
• Professional development opportunities
• Rewards and recognition programs
• Mobile phone & internet reimbursement and much more

Office Hours

This role is based out of our Austin office. We work on a hybrid basis at our office location, with three days per week working in the office and two days per week working from home. Work hours are consistently 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday - Friday, with the expectation that evening and weekend work will be required as necessary.