Communications Manager

About Niche

Niche is the leader in school search. Our mission is to make researching and enrolling in schools easy, transparent, and free. With in-depth profiles on every school and college in America, 140 million reviews and ratings, and powerful search tools, we help millions of people find the right school for them. We also help thousands of schools recruit more best-fit students, by highlighting what makes them great and making it easier to visit and apply.

Niche is all about finding where you belong, and that mission inspires how we operate every day. We want Niche to be a place where people truly enjoy working and can thrive professionally.

About The Role

From where to live to where to learn, Niche helps millions of students and families make some of life's biggest decisions, while modernizing how schools build their future classes. Communications is one of the most important ways we build credibility and trust, shape the narrative around our data and brand, and reach the B2B and B2C audiences who need us most.

As our Communications Manager, you'll lead day-to-day PR and media relations for Niche: pitching our economist's research, translating rankings and platform data into stories reporters want to tell, and securing speaking and awards opportunities. Reporting to the Director of Communications and Content, you'll execute against a broader comms strategy and work cross-functionally with Data, Social Media, Marketing, and Content teams to support campaigns

What You Will Do

Media Relations:

• 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

Content & Materials:

• 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

Data Storytelling:

• 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

AI Use & LLM Visibility:

• 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

Awards & Speaking

• 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

What We Are Looking For

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

Compensation 

Our national target base salary range is $82,400 - $103,000, plus participation in our Annual Bonus and Stock Option Program. Base compensation will be commensurate with experience and skills.

At Niche, our Total Rewards Philosophy is centered around creating a workplace environment that attracts, motivates, and retains top talent by providing a comprehensive and competitive rewards package.  This philosophy is built on the principles of performance-based compensation, best-in-class benefits and work-life balance, and employee well-being.

Interview Process

Candidate experience is a top priority for our talent and hiring teams.  We believe in providing a transparent, authentic and comprehensive interview process where you have the opportunity to learn about us while we get to know you and your experience.  The interview process is outlined here:

• Phone Screen with Talent Acquisition Partner  - 30 Minutes

• Video Interview with Hiring Manager - 45 Minutes

• Portfolio - writing samples such as pitches, ghostwriting, op-eds, etc.

• Team Interview - 60 Minutes 

• Hiring Manager follow-up Interview - 30 Minutes

Why Niche?

• We are a fully flexible workforce empowering our employees to choose to work remotely, in our Pittsburgh office or whatever combination suits you
• Full time, salaried position with competitive compensation in a fast-growing company
• 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!

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.

Niche is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive, innovative environment with the best employees. Therefore, we provide employment opportunities without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry,  marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

All interviews are being held remotely. If there are preparations we can make to help ensure you have a comfortable and positive interview experience, please let us know.