Associate Director / Director of Media Relations

Phaedon; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 133,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a passionate Associate Director/Director of Media Relations to lead a dynamic team. This role involves crafting innovative media strategies that resonate with audiences and drive client success. The ideal candidate will possess a robust network of media contacts and a proven track record in managing high-profile campaigns, including Super Bowl initiatives. With a hybrid work model, this position offers the perfect blend of collaboration and flexibility. Join a forward-thinking organization that values creativity, teamwork, and professional growth, and help shape the future of media relations.

Benefits

Medical/Dental/Vision Coverage

Comprehensive Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Paid Parental Leave

Retirement Savings Plans

Qualifications

• 5-7+ years in media relations with leadership experience.
• Strong network of top-tier media contacts across industries.
• Proven track record in executing successful media campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of media relations professionals, providing guidance.
• Develop and execute earned media strategies for clients.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with media contacts.

Skills

Media Relations

Leadership

Crisis Communications

Communication Skills

Client Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Relations

Bachelor's degree in Communications

Bachelor's degree in Journalism

Tools

Muckrack

SEMRush

Critical Mention

Job description

Associate Director / Director of Media Relations

About Phaedon

At Phaedon, we are revolutionizing how companies engage with their audiences and are passionate about sparking participation to drive growth for both our clients and our employees. Phaedon is a data-driven, tech-enabled marketing organization with a breadth of capabilities that go beyond our competitors and redefine traditional industry archetypes. We have a history of delivering game-changing results for notable brands across advanced analytics, loyalty technology and services, marketing communications, and experience transformation to bring intelligent imagination and solve our clients’ biggest business and brand challenges. Every role at Phaedon has an integral part to play in fulfilling this vision.

About the Role:

The Associate Director / Director of Media Relations is a team leader who plays a critical role in delivering action from within Phaedon’s media relations practice. This position is responsible for developing and executing multi-faceted earned media strategies for high-profile accounts, providing strategic oversight, team leadership and day-to-day client counsel. The Associate Director/Director of Media Relations will nurture media relationships on behalf of Phaedon, sharpening the agency’s media prowess and continuing to raise the bar of excellence in execution.

The person in this role is culture obsessed and knows what it takes for brands to break through and earn attention in today’s ever-evolving media landscape.

Top candidates have a deep list of current media contacts across a wide variety of verticals. Experience managing workstreams across major brand portfolios is a must-have and experience with CPG and/or alcohol brands is a bonus.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead a team of 2-3 media relations professionals, providing guidance and mentorship while also fostering the growth and development of direct reports.
• Keep a pulse on the media landscape, monitor industry trends and identify emerging media opportunities.
• Develop regular POVs and proactive recommendations to internal colleagues and external teams (clients, agency partners, etc.).
• Help shape and sharpen the earned media value of creative ideas, operating with a solutions-orientated mindset.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key media contacts across various industries.
• Develop and implement comprehensive earned media strategies aligned with client objectives; confidently shape strategies to support high-profile initiatives like Super Bowl and other cluttered timeframes.
• Provide input to sharpen the earned media value of creative ideas; collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate media relations efforts with broader PR and marketing initiatives.
• Manage execution details and timelines, ensuring deadlines are met and providing ongoing updates to leadership.
• Serve as the day-to-day client contact, building strong, trusting relationships by showcasing an ongoing understanding of their business; deliver clear, concise, and transparent counsel and continually bring value, insights and informed recommendations to the table.
• Provide leadership in an IAT setting, offering ongoing counsel and solutions to champion the earned media channel.
• Write and/or oversee the development of press releases, media strategies and other communications materials; demonstrate strong knowledge of how to sew together a compelling, cohesive, clear and concise narrative that delivers on client communication goals.
• Conduct talent and executive media trainings, knowing how to guide spokespeople to confidently deliver brand messages and navigate interviews.
• Have stellar news judgement and keep tabs on emerging and current issues, having the foresight to know when something may pose a reputation issue for clients and act accordingly.
• Lead program measurement and KPIs development; work with the team to create client updates and recaps.
• Take a leadership role in the agency’s organic and new business growth opportunities.
• Contribute to the agency’s financial health by managing budgets, billing, projections and staffing for direct reports and supporting teams.
• Cultivate a culture that aligns with Phaedon’s values, with support, growth and partnership for people at its core.

Location:

This role is based out of our office in the AMA Plaza building in the heart of downtown Chicago. We embrace a hybrid model with three in-office days per week to ensure a mix of collaboration and flexibility to support our employees' success.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, or related field.
• 5-7+ years of experience in media relations, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership role managing client account work and a team of people; CPG and/or alcohol experience a bonus.
• Proven track record of developing and executing successful media relations campaigns; experience with Super Bowl or high-profile partnerships preferred.
• Strong network of current and active top-tier media contacts across various industries.
• Experience in crisis communications and issues management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; confident presentation skills.
• Strong leadership and team management abilities.
• Proficiency in media sourcing, monitoring and analytics tools, including Muckrack, SEMRush and Critical Mention.

What we Offer:

We value our employees and demonstrate this through our comprehensive benefits offering including medical/dental/vision coverage, comprehensive paid time off, paid holidays, paid parental leave, retirement savings plans, and more.

Pay Range: The pay range for this position is estimated to be: $90,000 - $132,500 per year.

Phaedon is an equal opportunity employer, and all employment decisions shall be made without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.

The statements contained in this job description reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility. It should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences, to equalize peak work periods, or to otherwise balance organizational workload.