Senior Public Relations Specialist

Who we are

At CarGurus (NASDAQ: CARG), our mission is to give people the power to reach their destination. We started as a small team of developers determined to bring trust and transparency to car shopping. Since then, our history of innovation and go-to-market acceleration has driven industry-leading growth. In fact, we’re the largest and fastest-growing automotive marketplace, and we’ve been profitable for over 15 years.

What we do

The market is evolving, and we are too, moving the entire automotive journey online and guiding our customers through every step. That includes everything from the sale of an old car to the financing, purchase, and delivery of a new one. Today, tens of millions of consumers visit CarGurus.com each month, and ~30,000 dealerships use our products. But they're not the only ones who love CarGurus—our employees do, too. We have a people-first culture that fosters kindness, collaboration, and innovation, and empowers our Gurus with tools to fuel their career growth. Disrupting a trillion-dollar industry requires fresh and diverse perspectives. Come join us for the ride!

Role overview

CarGurus is looking for a strategic, proactive Senior Public Relations Specialist to help shape how consumers, dealers, and the media understand our business, products, and point of view. This role will support PR programs across the US, Canada, and UK, taking ownership of priority workstreams as business needs evolve. That may include market-specific campaigns in Canada and the UK, as well as turning US data, consumer research, and market trends into clear, compelling insights for media and customers.

Reporting to the Director of External Communications & PR, you will work closely with Brand, Product Marketing, Market Research, Investor Relations, Editorial, and International teams. You will bring strong news judgment, a clear point of view, and the ability to turn complex information into stories that earn attention and deliver value to the audiences we want to reach.

What you’ll do

Work with the PR Director to shape and execute PR plans and campaigns that advance CarGurus’ business priorities, brand platform, and reputation.

Support priority launches and campaigns across our markets, with the flexibility to lead end-to-end workstreams where needed. Responsibilities may include messaging development, press materials, media outreach, briefing development, spokesperson preparation, launch-day coordination, and measurement.

Lead coordination of priority PR workstreams, managing timelines, approvals, deliverables, and communications with internal stakeholders and external agency partners.

Build trusted relationships with reporters and editors across automotive, consumer, business, technology, lifestyle, and personal finance media.

Identify timely news angles that bring CarGurus’ products, market perspective, research, and expertise to life.

Turn complex data, market research, and automotive trends into clear, accurate, media-ready and customer-ready insights.

Write and edit high-quality press releases, media pitches, briefing documents, spokesperson talking points, FAQs, reactive statements, award submissions, and other external communications.

Identify and execute opportunities to elevate CarGurus subject-matter experts through media interviews, contributed articles, podcasts, panels, awards, and speaking opportunities.

Support PR Director with crisis/issues management and reactive communications, including fact gathering, holding statements, FAQs, Q&A preparation, internal coordination, and timely media response. Escalate significant reputational risks to the Director.

Track and report on share of voice, coverage quality, message pull-through, sentiment, and other agreed indicators of PR impact. Use results and insights to improve future campaigns and recommendations.

Maintain consistency in CarGurus’ external messaging across press materials, subject-matter expert communications, brand campaigns, and other public-facing content.

Leverage AI as a force multiplier, using the latest technology to enhance the efficiency and impact of the PR team.

What you’ll bring

5+ years of experience in public relations, communications, journalism, or a related field, ideally including experience at a PR agency.

Exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to produce clear, concise, compelling copy for different audiences and formats.

Demonstrated ability to turn complex data, research, or technical information into accessible stories and useful insights for media and customers.

A track record of developing and executing media relations programs with results in top-tier national media, ideally with international experience.

Comfort working with data and research, including the ability to interpret findings accurately and identify the strongest communications angles.

Sound judgment, discretion, and composure when handling sensitive or fast-moving issues.

A proactive, organized, and collaborative working style, with the ability to move important work forward without heavy oversight.

Curiosity about the automotive industry, consumer behavior, technology, and lifestyle trends.

A roll-up-your-sleeves approach and a willingness to stay close to both strategy and execution.

The displayed range represents the expected annual base salary / On-Target Earnings (OTE) for this position. On-Target Earnings (OTE) is inclusive of base salary and on-target commission earnings, which applies exclusively to sales roles.Individual pay within this range is determined by work location and other factors such as job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.This annual base salary forms part of a comprehensive Total Rewards Package. In addition to benefits, this role may qualify for discretionary bonuses/incentives and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs).

Position Pay Range$85,000—$107,000 USD

Working at CarGurus

We reward our Gurus’ curiosity and passion with best-in-class benefits and compensation, including equity for all employees, both when they start and as they continue to grow with us. Our career development and corporate giving programs, as well as our employee resource groups (ERGs) and communities, help people build connections while making an impact in personally meaningful ways. A flexible hybrid model and robust time off policies encourage work-life balance and individual well-being. Thoughtful perks like daily free lunch, a new car discount, meditation and fitness apps, commuting cost coverage, and more help our people create space for what matters most in their personal and professional lives.CarGurus may require in-person interviews as part of our hiring process, particularly for positions based in our Boston and Dublin offices. Candidates selected for an in-person interview will be notified in advance. Please be aware that travel expenses are the responsibility of the candidate.

We welcome all

CarGurus strives to be a place to which people can bring the ultimate expression of themselves and their potential—starting with our hiring process. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identity, or sexual orientation. We foster an inclusive environment that values people for their skills, experiences, and unique perspectives. That’s why we hope you’ll apply even if you don’t check every box listed in the job description. We also encourage you to tell your recruiter if you require accommodations to participate in our hiring process due to a disability so we can provide the appropriate support. We want to know what only you can bring to CarGurus. #LI-Hybrid