Account Director, Earned Media Strategy

We are seeking an Account Director to join our Media Relations team within our Health Practice. As a Director, you will be responsible for leading all aspects of media relations as a key member of integrated client teams. You’ll shape communications strategies, craft earned media approaches, and organize best-in-class media outreach that drive results and positive impact. You’ll bring experience working in the health industry with a proven track record of managing branded and unbranded campaigns with media and third parties.A critical role in our client teams and in our health practice, you’ll be a go-to client contact and supervise large workstreams, junior team members and work to connect dots across business. Other responsibilities include shaping earned-first creative concepts, recommending programs and activities, coordinating with clients’ goals, effectively delegating projects, offering counsel to team members, and allocating agency resources to match client budgets.Beyond client work, you’ll also engage in our business development process and support activities that support the development of our health media relations function.The following is a general outline of primary responsibilities.Additional responsibilities include but are not limited to:Day-to-day client support and counselLeading media relations efforts for team including managing junior staffDriving communications support around campaignsWorking across internal and external specialists including media, digital, creative and agency partnersProviding earned media recommendations across traditional print/online media, newer forms of media, and editorial partnershipsWhat We Are Looking ForStrong sense of accountability and ownershipAbility to mobilize and motivate teamsFlexibility in having impact as part of a team and as an individual contributorExcellent oral and written business communication skillsStrong judgment when working with team members, client contacts and vendorsCommitment and dedication to the agency’s success as well as individual careerCan anticipate client and team needsAttention to detail and qualityInstills confidence with clients and colleaguesQualificationsAt least 7 years’ healthcare public relations/communications experience, including an interest in working with the mediaBA or BS in Communications or in a related fieldThe Weber Shandwick Collective recognizes that your health and wellbeing are a priority. This is why we offer a full suite of benefits including:MedicalVision401k (with employer match)Tuition ReimbursementJuice Money – $60 monthly reimbursement to be used towards purchases that nourish your health, mind, body, and soulShort-Term DisabilityPaid Employee Family LeaveFamily Building BenefitNYC Salary range: $109,000 – $130,000Where an employee or prospective employee is paid within this range will depend on, among other factors, actual ranges for current/former employees in the subject position; market considerations; budgetary considerations; tenure and standing with the company (applicable to current employees); as well as the employee’s/applicant’s background, pertinent experience, and qualifications.Weber Shandwick is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Weber Shandwick recruits qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, ethnic or national origin, protected veteran status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or citizenship status.#LI-JR1We make our careers website accessible to any and all users. If you need an accommodation to participate in the application process, please contact us at . This email address is not for general employment inquiries or vendors; rather it is strictly for applicants who require special assistance accessing our employment website. Due to volume, messages sent to this email address that are not related to an accommodation cannot be answered.The Weber Shandwick team is seeking an Account Director, Earned Media Strategy with exceptional earned strategy and media relations prowess to support CPG, Retail and Food & Beverage clients. This role offers the opportunity to work on top-tier brands across multiple consumer categories, helping them earn meaningful attention in culture.About you:You live for a great pitch and have the media relationships to back it up. With deep knowledge of top-tier lifestyle, entertainment, sports, broadcast, food & beverage, and business outlets, you know how to get stories placed — and noticed. You move seamlessly between traditional media and emerging platforms like Substack, podcasts, and content creators. Fluent in internet culture and always ahead of the trends, you know what’s buzzy, what’s next, and how to help brands break through.You’re a strategic thinker who thrives in fast-paced environments and knows how to manage multi-faceted, integrated campaigns without missing a beat. You bring structure to chaos, all while juggling deadlines, media moments, and client needs with calm confidence. You’re immersed in pop culture and entertainment and know how to turn cultural insight into earned impact. A creative storyteller and collaborative partner, you bring curiosity, originality, and hustle to everything you do. Ready to make waves with a team of leading earned strategists? Let’s talk.Responsibilities:Build and maintain excellent relationships with top-tier media across business, national/local broadcast, and lifestyle verticals — including men’s/women’s interest, fitness, food & beverage, wellness, sports, entertainment, and commerceMaintain a strong understanding of the media and cultural landscape, as well as emerging issues that may impact clients directly or indirectlyApproaches client work with curiosity — always seeking to understand the brand, its competitors, and the broader industry contextProactively and reactively crafts compelling, newsworthy stories that drive earned coverageLead the development and execution of earned and integrated media programs from start to finishLead and develop comprehensive earned media strategiesDraft high-quality internal and external facing media materials, including briefing documents, Q + A, pitches, press releases, and messaging documentsDeliver consistently high-caliber work with a client-first mindset and sharp attention to detailCounsel and interact effectively with clients and leaders at client organizationsCollaborates effectively with agency and inter-agency partners, serving as a key contributor across teams to drive alignment and deliver cohesive, large-scale campaign workMentors and develops junior team members through hands-on guidance, feedback, and professional developmentCultivates and participates in new business opportunities and pitchesSpotting and executing quick turn and client relevant culture tapping earned storytelling opportunitiesBusiness Acumen– align talent strategies to drive business goalsClient Service– client focus and ability to build trust and rapport across all levelsProactivity– exhibit relentless pursuit for new and innovative talent strategiesCollaboration– build strong relationships at all levels across the organizationCritical Thinking– ask probing questions; anticipate and address critical talent gaps and needsConflict Resolution– possess sound judgment and savvy in navigating and resolving complex talent and organizational issuesBasic Qualifications:6-8 years of experience.Experience leading projects from start to finish, working with integrated teams across various disciplines.Earned strategy and media relations experienceThe Weber Shandwick Collective recognizes that your health and wellbeing are a priority. This is why we offer a full suite of benefits including:MedicalVision401k (with employer match)Tuition ReimbursementJuice Money – $60 monthly reimbursement to be used towards purchases that nourish your health, mind, body, and soulShort-Term DisabilityPaid Employee Family LeaveFamily Building BenefitSalary range: $100,000 – $130,000Where an employee or prospective employee is paid within this range will depend on, among other factors, actual ranges for current/former employees in the subject position; market considerations; budgetary considerations; tenure and standing with the company (applicable to current employees); as well as the employee’s/applicant’s background, pertinent experience, and qualifications.Weber Shandwick is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Weber Shandwick recruits qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, ethnic or national origin, protected veteran status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or citizenship status.#LI-JP1We make our careers website accessible to any and all users. If you need an accommodation to participate in the application process, please contact us at . This email address is not for general employment inquiries or vendors; rather it is strictly for applicants who require special assistance accessing our employment website. Due to volume, messages sent to this email address that are not related to an accommodation cannot be answered.Weber Shandwick is looking for a Manager, Media Relations to join our growing Technology practice and support several major clients in the AI sector.We are seeking a Manager who has a strong interest in media-related work with a foundation of media relations skills pitching tech (with a focus on enterprise/commercial, AI and cybersecurity), top-tier, consumer and vertical press. The ideal candidate is someone who has some previous project and team management experience, strong writer, loves the thrill of the pitch, can help manage the clients and teams, brings existing media relationships, keeps a close pulse on both the evolving media landscape and tech industry developments, and is constantly seeking opportunities to leverage cultural engagement.ResponsibilitiesWhat You Will Be DoingProvide day-to-day leadership and client engagementOversee other team member’s media work, to foster excellence and successSupport and assist team members with client-related projectsSource earned media results on behalf of the client – this includes identifying appropriate contacts, writing pitches, drafting media lists, making follow up calls, etc.Develop a strong understanding of the client’s business and target audienceStay current on new and existing media coverageAssist with ongoing reporting, research and monitoring projects for the clientMonitor media outlets to understand industry issues that directly and indirectly affect the clientAnalyze and distill meaningful insights from media coverageSupport creative ideation on a consistent basis and provide thoughtful recommendationsAssist with drafting and managing media projectsPartner with leads to write and develop strategic media strategiesExcellent oral and written communicationStrong research skills stemming from a media focused curiosityAbility to build trust and rapport with the client and team across all levelsDemonstrate a proactive and forward thinking mindsetIntegrated skill set that combines media relations, content creation and digital expertiseExcellent collaboration and team building skillsStrong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple jobs in a dayIntuitive thinker who asks probing questions and anticipates and addresses needsSound business and professional ethicsQualificationsYears Experience: 4-6 years of experience in similar industryEducation: BA or BS degree in Communications or a related disciplineJob Type: Permanent, Full-TimeThe Weber Shandwick Collective recognizes that your health and wellbeing are a priority. This is why we offer a full suite of benefits including:MedicalVision401k (with employer match)Tuition ReimbursementJuice Money – $60 monthly reimbursement to be used towards purchases that nourish your health, mind, body, and soulShort-Term DisabilityPaid Employee Family LeaveFamily Building BenefitCalifornia Salary range: $78,000 – $88,000Where an employee or prospective employee is paid within this range will depend on, among other factors, actual ranges for current/former employees in the subject position; market considerations; budgetary considerations; tenure and standing with the company (applicable to current employees); as well as the employee’s/applicant’s background, pertinent experience, and qualifications.Weber Shandwick is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Weber Shandwick recruits qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, ethnic or national origin, protected veteran status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or citizenship status.#LI-JP1We make our careers website accessible to any and all users. If you need an accommodation to participate in the application process, please contact us at . This email address is not for general employment inquiries or vendors; rather it is strictly for applicants who require special assistance accessing our employment website. Due to volume, messages sent to this email address that are not related to an accommodation cannot be answered.About the Opportunity:The Weber Shandwick team is seeking a Vice President, Media Relations with deep consumer media expertise to lead earned media strategy and execution for top-tier CPG, Food & Beverage, and Consumer Lifestyle brands. This senior role offers the chance to shape large-scale, integrated campaigns across multiple consumer categories and work closely with influential clients and agency partners.The ideal candidate thrives on the thrill of the pitch, excels at building and nurturing media relationships, and lives and breathes pop culture, trends, and sports. You’ll be a key strategic leader driving brand narratives that break through and resonate culturally.About You:You’re a media powerhouse with deep, trusted relationships across top-tier business, lifestyle, entertainment, news, and sports media — and a proven track record of leading earned media strategies for major consumer brands. You instinctively turn business goals into narratives that spark cultural relevance and deliver results, including elevating executive visibility through smart, high-impact storytelling.Passionate about pop culture, entertainment, and sports — from racing and basketball to soccer, football, and golf — you know where brand and fan conversations intersect. You’ve successfully positioned brands around major cultural moments like the Super Bowl, Ryder Cup, and World Cup, bringing creativity and cultural resonance to the forefront.Fluent in both traditional and emerging platforms like podcasts, Substack, and creator networks, you stay ahead of what’s next. You understand how and where to place top-tier-worthy stories — from thought leadership to breakthrough brand campaigns.A strategic thinker who thrives in high-pressure environments, you bring calm clarity to complex, integrated programs. As a collaborative leader and mentor, you grow talent, build client trust, and inspire teams to deliver standout earned work rooted in insight and cultural impact.Responsibilities:Lead the development and flawless execution of comprehensive earned and integrated media campaigns for large-scale consumer clientsBuild and maintain strong relationships with top-tier media across national, regional, and digital outlets — spanning business, lifestyle, food & beverage, mainstream news, sports, entertainment, and commerce verticalsCraft compelling, culturally relevant narratives that tap into sports and pop culture trends — including racing, basketball, soccer, football, golf — and major events like the Super Bowl, World Cup, and moreOversee earned media campaigns across various formats — from product launches and thought leadership to celebrity partnerships and high-profile brand initiativesMonitor media trends and provide timely insights to clients and teams, identifying earned opportunities grounded in what’s timely, buzzy, and impactfulCounsel senior clients, executives and spokespeople on media strategy, positioning, and media trainingConfidently present strategic plans and campaign results in client meetings, inter-agency collaborations, and new business pitchesPartner with cross-functional teams to ensure earned strategies are aligned with broader marketing and brand goalsManage resources, timelines, and deliverables with precision, ensuring top-tier execution and a client-first mindsetMentor and lead junior team members, fostering growth, ownership, and earned media excellenceBusiness Acumen — Align earned media strategies with client business goals and marketing prioritiesClient Service — Build trust and rapport with senior client stakeholders and agency teamsProactivity — Continuously pursues innovative media opportunities and storytelling approachesCollaboration — Foster strong relationships internally and externally to drive cohesive campaign executionCritical Thinking — Analyze challenges, anticipate media and client needs, and deliver insightful solutionsLeadership — Effectively mentor and guide teams while managing complex projects and expectationsWhat We’re Looking For:8+ years of public relations or communications experience, with increasing responsibility leading earned media for major consumer brandsStrong track record of top-tier media placements and well-established relationships across lifestyle, business, entertainment, sports, and pop culture mediaSubject matter expertise in CPG, food & beverage, men’s lifestyle, and entertainment; bonus points for experience in the beer industry, global media, and social impactDemonstrated success managing earned campaigns featuring Tier A talent, including celebrities, musicians and athletesSkilled in developing and executing thought leadership, product launches, brand campaigns, celebrity partnerships, and sports sponsorships and eventsExperienced in media training and counseling senior clients and executivesAble to integrate earned strategy seamlessly with digital, social, and paid media effortsProven problem-solver with strong judgment under pressure and ability to make decisions with limited informationExcellent client service skills with confidence advising senior stakeholders and working within large, marketing-driven organizationsEffective communicator (written and verbal) with strong presentation skills and experience leading new business effortsCollaborative team leader with a track record of mentoring talent and managing multiple fast-paced projects with clarity and controlThe Weber Shandwick Collective recognizes that your health and wellbeing are a priority. This is why we offer a full suite of benefits including:MedicalVision401k (with employer match)Tuition ReimbursementJuice Money – $60 monthly reimbursement to be used towards purchases that nourish your health, mind, body, and soulShort-Term DisabilityPaid Employee Family LeaveFamily Building BenefitNYC Salary range: $125,000 – $165,000Where an employee or prospective employee is paid within this range will depend on, among other factors, actual ranges for current/former employees in the subject position; market considerations; budgetary considerations; tenure and standing with the company (applicable to current employees); as well as the employee’s/applicant’s background, pertinent experience, and qualifications.Weber Shandwick is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Weber Shandwick recruits qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, ethnic or national origin, protected veteran status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or citizenship status.#LI-SK1We make our careers website accessible to any and all users. If you need an accommodation to participate in the application process, please contact us at . This email address is not for general employment inquiries or vendors; rather it is strictly for applicants who require special assistance accessing our employment website. Due to volume, messages sent to this email address that are not related to an accommodation cannot be answered. #J-18808-Ljbffr

Created: 2025-09-17