Public Affairs Specialist

About the Indiana Public Retirement System (INPRS) :

The Indiana Public Retirement System (INPRS’) is among the largest 100 pension systems in the United States. INPRS serves the needs of approximately 473,000 members and retirees representing approximately 1,244 employers, including public universities, school corporations, public safety, municipalities, and state agencies.

The Indiana Public Retirement System is a public pension fund that manages approximately $40 billion in assets, making it one of the largest in the United States.

We are located in the heart of the city, in downtown Indianapolis, near the circle & across the street from our monumental state house.

This position will allow a flexible (hybrid) work arrangement, but will require Indiana state residency. This position is not eligible for H-1B or any other kind of temporary or permanent sponsorship for work authorization by the Indiana Public Retirement System.

Therefore, if you will require sponsorship from us for work authorization now or in the future, we cannot consider your application at this time.

Why Join Our Team?

INPRS believes that people are the foundation of our success. It takes people with different backgrounds, ideas, and strengths to be successful.

Balance in life is important. We strive to have a flexible and supportive environment while not sacrificing service to our members.

We pride ourselves on modeling a collaborative, diverse, and inclusive environment for our employees. Our mission. As fiduciaries, educate stakeholders, collect necessary contributions, and prudently manage member assets to deliver promised defined benefit and defined contribution benefits and services."

For more information about our organization, please visit our INPRS Careers Page : https : / / www.in.gov / inprs / careers.htm.

Salary :

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $55,000 - $65,500 per year, depending on years of experience.

Role Overview :

Serve as a key member of the communications team focused on external-facing communications across media relations, APRA, stakeholder relations, and owned channels to support the organization while blending strategic and compliance-based deliverables.

Under the guidance of the Strategic Communications Manager, this role has exposure to the organization’s leadership team and requires a high level of professionalism and discretion while expressing the utmost care for our members' and employers’ experience.

This individual should have an interest in financial and investment matters, legislative topics, current events, and industry issues.

This person must have the ability to relate complex matters and issues to a general audience using strategic communication methods and science to achieve stated goals.

A Day in the Life :

The essential functions of this role are :

• Monitors, tracks, models, and analyzes external narratives and reports on findings to communications leadership. Escalates emerging issues in real time to help the organization provide quality service.
• Coordinates APRA responses, monitors requests, and collaborates with staff to fulfill inquiries.
• Identifies storytelling opportunities for external publication across channels and mediums that help build the INPRS brand, and educate, inform, and engage external audiences.
• Develops communications reference materials and tools- including standby documents, FAQs, and strategic plans.
• Devises communications and marketing strategies in support of the organization’s strategic plan
• Serves as front-line media intake and coordinates responses to media inquiries, working with strategic communications leadership and subject matter experts to draft responses.
• Identifies legislatively driven communications opportunities and establishes project plans and teams.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee.

Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

What You'll Need for Success :

Experience and Qualifications :

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, marketing, public relations, public affairs, or related field.
• 3-8 years of experience in public communication or policy
• Driven and personal responsibility for vetting urgent public information requests and issues.
• Ability and willingness to strictly adhere to standard processes.
• Excellent research skills regarding public dialogue and rapid quantification scope and risk of emerging issues.

Core Competencies :

• Demonstrated drive and personal responsibility regarding both assigned work and unassigned opportunities.
• Proven ability and commitment to use both communication science and creativity in daily work.
• Confidence and personal commitment to lead organization officers to understanding and good decisions.
• Confidence in questioning the status quo and then doing something about it.
• Proven excellent public speaking skills, including both extemporaneous and well-planned opportunities.
• Experience and understanding of social media channels, storytelling formats, and norms regarding engagement and risk management.
• Proven excellent written communication skills, both planned and urgent / unplanned.
• Solid understanding of and experience with news media of all types.
• Strong confidence and competence in computer use, including the ability to self-learn new applications and processes.
• Proven ability to analyze both quantitative and qualitative information in making timely recommendations regarding current and emerging issues.
• Demonstrated commitment to learn, grow, and achieve.

Supervisory Responsibilities / Direct Reports :

This role may be utilized in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.

Benefits of Employment with INPRS :

• Competitive compensation
• Some remote flexibility (must reside in Indiana and surrounding Indianapolis locations)
• Healthcare coverage (medical, dental, and vision)
• Health savings account with employer contribution
• Prescription coverage
• Employer-funded retirement plan (pension plan)
• Deferred compensation plan (employer and / or employee contribution plan)
• Flexible spending account
• Work / life balance (37.5 hours weekly)
• 12 paid holidays; 14 during an election year
• Paid leave (personal, sick, vacation)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Group life insurance
• Employer-paid downtown parking

Equal Employment Opportunity :

The Indiana Public Retirement System (INPRS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruit, select, develop, and promote employees based on individual ability and job performance.

Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunity to all people in all aspects of employer-employee relations without discrimination because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or veteran status.

We will comply with the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable state and federal laws.

Indiana Public Retirement System has established a culture that welcomes equity, inclusion, and opportunity for all employees and applicants.

We encourage you to apply if you feel you have the transferrable skills to be successful in this position and we look forward to reviewing your application