Associate Public Relations Manager

twentysix; Kansas City (MO); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Competitive salary

Equal opportunity employer

Job summary

VML, a WPP agency, is seeking an Associate Public Relations Manager to support day-to-day PR tactics for global animal health accounts. You will help build media lists, monitor coverage, and draft baseline messaging under supervision.

Based in the United States with a hybrid schedule, you’ll work with global stakeholders, gain hands-on experience in earned media, and contribute to strategic campaigns across veterinary and consumer media.

Qualifications

• 1+ years of PR experience in agency or in-house setting.
• Experience with media databases and monitoring tools.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Interest in animal health/science is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Build, update, and manage global veterinary media databases.
• Monitor monthly/quarterly PR coverage and report findings.
• Draft baseline messaging documents and related materials.
• Provide PR writing support such as alerts, pitches, bios.
• Maintain PR status grid and share status updates with clients.
• Coordinate assets and assist with global PR campaigns.

Skills

Communication skills

Written and verbal

Earned media experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Communications

Job description

Who We Are

VML, part of WPP, is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected brands to drive growth. VML is celebrated for its innovative and human first, award-winning work for blue chip client partners including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendy's. The agency is recognized by the Forrester Wave™ Reports, as a Leader among Marketing Creative and Content Service Providers, Commerce Services, Global Digital Experience Services, Global Marketing Services and, most recently, Marketing Measurement & Optimization. In addition, VML’s specialist health network, VML Health, is one of the world’s largest and most awarded health agencies. VML’s global network is powered by 26,000 talented people across 55+ markets, with principal offices in Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney.

About WPP

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.

**Position Overview:****The Associate Public Relations Manager: This position is responsible for providing foundational support, organizing, and executing day-to-day PR tactics for our global animal health accounts. This role is highly focused on establishing the operational backbone of our communications, specifically building and maintaining veterinary and consumer media databases, managing monthly/quarterly monitoring and reporting, and developing baseline research and messaging.

Key Responsibilities

• Media Database Management:** Build, update, maintain highly targeted global veterinary trade, pet and pet food industry trade media lists, and additional consumer or niche media lists as needed.
• Monitoring & Global Reporting: Manage the process for monthly and quarterly PR coverage tracking, analyzing metrics, and generating comprehensive impact reports for global stakeholders.
• Research & Baseline Messaging: Conduct pet health industry research to draft baseline messaging documents, and other derivative materials on PR client key areas of focus.
• PR Writing Support: Draft foundational PR materials, including media alerts, pitch angles, media briefs and bios, responses to media inquiries and other materials as needed.
• Administrative & Account Support: Maintain PR status grid, take detailed meeting notes, and share clear, actionable status updates with clients and internal teams.
• Vendor & Asset Coordination: Assist with asset management, research potential vendors, and support the execution of global PR campaigns and product launch toolkits.

Requirements

• Experience: 1+ years of relevant experience in a PR agency or in-house communications department (highly relevant internships considered), with a strong focus on earned media experience.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing or a related field.
• A Passion for Animal Health/Science: Strong interest in pet health, companion animal health, veterinary science, etc. Background, education and/or experience in agriculture and large animal health (especially equine) is also of interest.
• Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills; high attention to detail in data gathering and reporting, excellent listening skills and a desire to learn are essential.
• Work Style: A fast, proactive learner who takes direction well and can work independently in a fast-paced global agency environment.

The base salary range for this position at the time of this posting is indicated below. Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications.

_$40—$100,000 USDWe believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we've adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

VML is a WPP agency (NYSE: WPP). For more information,please visit www.vml.com, andfollowalong on Instagram,LinkedIn, and X.