Communications Manager, Sound United

HARMAN International; Carlsbad (CA); Hybrid; USD 84,750 - 124,300; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellness benefits

401K Retirement Savings

Flexible work schedule

Professional development via HARMAN U

Tuition Reimbursement

Employee discounts

Job summary

HARMAN Lifestyle in Carlsbad, CA seeks a Communications Manager, Sound United, to lead integrated communications across the Americas, focusing on PR, influencer programs, and regional activations to boost brand awareness and earned media.

You will partner with Global Communications, Local Marketing, Commercial and Corporate teams to localize strategies, ensure market relevance, and drive cross-functional execution with vendors.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of PR, influencer, and integrated comms in global org.
• Strong understanding of the consumer electronics/home audio industry.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional teams.
• Data-driven with ability to measure media ROI.

Responsibilities

• Execute integrated communications strategies across the Americas.
• Plan regional PR initiatives, media outreach, product launches, trade shows, and events.
• Develop influencer and creator programs with partnerships and campaigns.
• Localize global campaigns for regional relevance while maintaining brand consistency.
• Manage regional agencies and external vendors with budgets and quality control.

Skills

PR strategy

Influencer programs

Integrated campaigns

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

Data-driven

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Introduction: A Career at HARMAN Lifestyle

We’re a global, multi-disciplinary team that’s putting the innovative power of technology to work and transforming tomorrow. As a member of HARMAN Lifestyle, you connect consumers with the power of superior sound.

• Contribute your talents to high-end, esteemed brands like JBL, Mark Levinson, Revel, Denon, and Bowers & Wilkins.
• Unite your passion for audio innovation with high-tech product development.
• Create pitch-perfect, cutting-edge technology that elevates the listening experience.

About The Role

As the Communications Manager, Sound United, you will lead the development and execution of integrated communications across the Americas region, with a focus on public relations, influencer engagement, and regional activations that drive brand awareness, cultural relevance, product visibility, and earned media in support of Sound United's commercial objectives.

You will partner closely with Global Communications, Regional Marketing, Commercial, and Corporate Communications teams to localize and execute global strategies, ensuring communications are market-relevant, aligned with business priorities, and consistently executed across the Americas.

You will report to the Director, Global Communications, Sound United, and will serve as the regional communications lead, translating global strategy into high-impact regional execution while maintaining brand consistency across internal stakeholders, external partners, and communications channels.

What You Will Do

Regional Communications Strategy & Execution

• Execute integrated communications strategies across the Americas in alignment with global messaging, brand standards, and business objectives.
• Partner with Regional Marketing and Commercial teams to align communications with product launches, go-to-market strategies, sales priorities, and regional campaigns.
• Plan and execute regional PR initiatives, including media outreach, press releases, product launches, trade shows, and media/influencer events.
• Develop and manage influencer and creator programs, including relationship management, partnerships, and campaigns that strengthen brand awareness and storytelling.
• Localize global campaigns and messaging to ensure cultural relevance while maintaining consistency with global brand positioning.
• Manage regional communications agencies and external vendors, ensuring high-quality execution, budget accountability, and brand compliance.
• Monitor media coverage, influencer performance, and campaign effectiveness, providing reporting and insights to optimize future communications.

Integrated Communications & Stakeholder Alignment

• Serve as the primary communications liaison between Global Communications and Americas stakeholders to ensure alignment and seamless execution.
• Translate and implement global communications frameworks, messaging, and campaign strategies across regional initiatives.
• Support internal communications by sharing updates on campaigns, product launches, timelines, and key business initiatives with regional stakeholders.
• Identify regional media, influencer, partnership, and event opportunities that enhance and extend global communications programs.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with media, agencies, influencers, and strategic partners to strengthen Sound United's presence across the Americas.

What You Need To Be Successful

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience executing PR, influencer, and integrated communications programs within a global organization.
• Strong understanding of the consumer electronics, home audio, or personal audio industry.
• Experience developing integrated campaigns across earned media, influencers, creators, and events.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional marketing, commercial (sales), and corporate communications teams.
• Strong stakeholder management, project management, and communication skills with the ability to balance global strategy and regional execution.
• Data-driven mindset with experience measuring media performance, campaign effectiveness, engagement, and ROI.

Bonus Points if You Have

• Experience supporting premium consumer, luxury, lifestyle, or enthusiast brands with strong storytelling and reputation-building requirements.
• Experience managing external PR, influencer, or integrated communications agencies across multiple markets.
• Knowledge of influencer management platforms, media monitoring tools, and communications measurement methodologies.
• Experience supporting trade shows, product launches, media events, and integrated go-to-market campaigns.
• Familiarity with retail, channel, or dealer-focused communications programs within the consumer electronics industry.

What Makes You Eligible

• Willingness to travel up to 20% across North America.
• Be open to working in the Carlsbad, CA office in a hybrid model.
• Due to the nature of global infrastructure, you understand that flexibility in working hours is required.
• Successfully complete a background investigation and drug screen as a condition of employment (post-offer).

What We Offer

• Competitive wellness benefits and 401K Retirement Savings plan.
• An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages career development opportunities.
• Flexible work schedule with a culture encouraging work-life integration and collaboration in a global environment.
• Professional development opportunities through HARMAN University’s business and leadership academies and extensive course catalog.
• Tuition Reimbursement.
• Access to employee discounts on world‑class HARMAN products (JBL, Harman/Kardon, Denon, and Bowers & Wilkins).
• Be Brilliant employee recognition and rewards program.

Pay Transparency

$ 84,750 - $ 124,300

Dependent on the position offered, other forms of compensation are also available, such as bonuses or commission.

Pay is based on a wide range of factors, including, without limitation, skill set, experience, training, location, and business need. While the above range is a reasonable estimate of the wage range for this position, please note the disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographical differential associated with the location where the position may be filled.

Benefits

HARMAN is interested in the health and wellbeing of you and your family and offers a range of benefits designed to support your needs for holistic wellbeing. Benefits and perks may vary depending on the nature of your employment with HARMAN, and may include paid vacation and holidays, paid sick leave, volunteer leave, and paid bonding and care giver leave. Employees may also be eligible to participate in comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, fertility support and adoption assistance, Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts, retirement savings plan with employer match, short and long term disability coverage, life insurance, and more.

You Belong Here

HARMAN is committed to making every employee feel welcomed, valued, and empowered. No matter what role you play, we encourage you to share your ideas, voice your distinct perspective, and bring your whole self with you – all within a support-minded culture that celebrates what makes each of us unique. We also recognize that learning is a lifelong pursuit and want you to flourish. We proudly offer added opportunities for training, development, and continuing education, further empowering you to live the career you want.

About HARMAN: Where Innovation Unleashes Next-Level Technology

Ever since the 1920s, we’ve been amplifying the sense of sound. Today, that legacy endures, with integrated technology platforms that make the world smarter, safer, and more connected.

Across automotive, lifestyle, and digital transformation solutions, we create innovative technologies that turn ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences. Our renowned automotive and lifestyle solutions can be found everywhere, from the music we play in our cars and homes to venues that feature today’s most sought-after performers, while our digital transformation solutions serve humanity by addressing the world’s ever‑evolving needs and demands. Marketing our award‑winning portfolio under 16 iconic brands, such as JBL, Mark Levinson, and Revel, we set ourselves apart by exceeding the highest engineering and design standards for our customers, our partners and each other.

Important Notice: Recruitment Scams

Please be aware that HARMAN recruiters will always communicate with you from an '@harman.com', ‘@careers.harman.com’ or ‘harmanglobal.avature.net’ email address. We will never ask for payments, banking, credit card, personal financial information or access to your LinkedIn/email account during the screening, interview, or recruitment process. If you are asked for such information or receive communication from an email address not ending in one of the above email domains about a job with HARMAN, please cease communication immediately and report the incident to us through: [e-mail].

HARMAN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. HARMAN strives to hire the best qualified candidates and is committed to building a workforce representative of the diverse marketplaces and communities of our global colleagues and customers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. HARMAN attracts, hires, and develops employees based on merit, qualifications and job‑related performance.(www.harman.com)