Summary of the PR & Communications Manager (East Coast Remote) job at Iris

About IRIS

IRIS Software Group is one of the UK's largest privately held software companies, trusted by 100,000+ businesses, schools and accountancy firms to keep their operations running. Our software pays 1 in 6 UK employees, supports over 12,000 schools, and is relied on by 91 of the top 100 UK accountancy firms.

We're a Great Place to Work® certified employer, recognised for our commitment to well-being, inclusion and development - and we're growing fast.

The United States is one of IRIS' most important growth markets, and we're looking for a PR & Communications Manager to help shape how we're seen, heard and understood across the region.


📍 Location: Remote – US Remote (Eastern Time Zone)

👤 Reports to: Director of Global Communications & Brand

🏢 IRIS Software Group

About The Role

This is an exciting opportunity to shape how IRIS is seen and understood in the US.

We’re looking for an experienced PR & Communications Manager to lead our US media agenda and build visibility across the accounting, payroll and HR sectors. It’s a hands-on role combining strategy and execution, from building relationships with priority journalists to turning our expertise, customer evidence and innovation into earned coverage, executive visibility and credible industry commentary.

You’ll work closely with Communications, Product Marketing, Demand Generation, sector leaders and US agency partners at a pivotal moment of growth, helping build a truly standout voice in the market.


What you’ll be doing 🚀

• US PR and media relations: Lead the US PR programme and build relationships with priority business, technology and trade media across accounting, payroll and HR. Create a strong pipeline of proactive stories, data-led angles and reactive commentary that grows IRIS’ visibility and share of voice, while spotting global stories that can be amplified in other markets.
  

• AI visibility: Align PR activity with IRIS’ AEO and AI visibility strategy, so our stories, expertise and proof points strengthen how IRIS appears across traditional media, search and AI-powered discovery.
  

• Sector and stakeholder engagement: Partner with Accounting, Payroll and HR leaders to uncover newsworthy stories across our products, customers and markets, acting as a trusted adviser who helps stakeholders raise IRIS’ profile.
  

• Executive visibility and thought leadership: Build the US profile of IRIS leaders and experts through bylines, commentary, speaking opportunities, awards and media interviews. Prepare spokespeople with briefings, messaging and coaching so they are confident and on-message.
  

• Crisis and issues management: Support crisis communications as needed, including monitoring, rapid-response planning, holding statements and reactive media handling. Work with Communications, legal, security and sector leaders to protect IRIS’ reputation and respond quickly and consistently.
  

• Narrative and message consistency: Keep US earned media and stakeholder communications aligned to the IRIS brand narrative, messaging framework and tone of voice, so IRIS tells one consistent story across markets and sectors.
  

• Agency and partner management: Manage US PR agency partners day to day, setting priorities, briefing work, reviewing outputs and holding them to a clear quality bar so their effort delivers results that matter to the business.
  

• Analyst and influencer awareness: Support relationships with industry analysts, associations and influential voices across accounting, payroll and HR, coordinating with the wider team to keep IRIS represented consistently.
  

• Measurement and reporting: Track and report on PR impact, including coverage volume and quality, share of voice, message pull-through and spokesperson visibility, using those insights to steer where effort is invested.
  
  What we’re looking for ⭐
  

• 5+ years in PR, media relations or corporate communications, ideally in-house or agency-side supporting B2B technology, SaaS or professional services.

• Strong knowledge of the US media landscape, with proven relationships (or the ability to quickly build them) with trade, business and technology journalists.

• Demonstrable experience securing high-quality earned coverage and growing share of voice, from developing the angle to landing the story.

• Ability to turn complex or technical subjects, including AI, into clear, credible, jargon-free stories that resonate with buyers and the media. Experience communicating an AI or emerging-technology narrative is a strong advantage.

• Experience supporting crisis and issues communications, with the judgement and composure to handle sensitive situations calmly and quickly.

• Excellent writing and editing skills, with the judgement to set a quality bar for agencies and partners.

• Familiarity with the accounting, payroll and/or HR sectors, or a track record of getting up to speed quickly in specialist B2B markets.

• Experience managing PR agencies or external partners, from briefing work to holding them accountable for results.

• Strong cross-functional and stakeholder skills, leading through relationships, influence and clear standards rather than direct reports.

• Comfort with PR measurement, media monitoring and reporting tools, and the ability to connect activity to business outcomes.

• Experience in a PE-backed, high-growth or fast-moving B2B environment is an advantage.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• Impact: Your work will influence millions globally.

• Growth: Continuous learning and career development opportunities.

• Belonging: A culture that celebrates diversity and empowers every individual.
  

Ready to Apply?

Click Apply - we’re excited to learn about your unique perspective and experience. If you need adjustments during the process, let us know. We’re committed to making this opportunity accessible to everyone.

What to expect from our hiring process

Our process is designed to be fair, transparent and straightforward. Stages vary depending on the role — more senior positions may involve additional steps, and some areas include role-specific assessments such as a technical test or case study — but typically you can expect:

1. Application review — we assess your experience and potential

2. Initial call — a short conversation to learn about you and share more about the role

3. Skills assessment — tailored to the position, e.g. case study, coding challenge or portfolio review

4. Final interview — meet the team and explore how you'll make an IMPACT at IRIS

We'll always walk you through the specific stages at the start of the process so you can prepare with confidence.

If you need any adjustments or accommodations during the process, let us know, we’re committed to making this experience accessible for everyone.