Director, Communications

Edelman Smithfield; Northern, New York (KY, NY); Hybrid; USD 68,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

UEG is an award-winning global agency specializing in entertainment, sports and lifestyle marketing. We are seeking a seasoned communications professional to bring strategic thinking, earned media expertise and creative storytelling to two dynamic client businesses in New York.

You will develop earned media strategies, cultivate media relationships, lead product launches and guide executive visibility, while mentoring a high-performing team in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field from an accredited college or university.
• 5-7 years of relevant experience in media relations across entertainment, fashion, sports or fitness.
• Strong relationships with top-tier media and tastemakers; proven earned results.
• Solid understanding of Gen Z consumer trends and evolving media landscape.

Responsibilities

• Develop client-facing earned media strategies to drive coverage and brand moments.
• Identify and develop proactive storylines around consumer behavior and cultural moments.
• Lead outreach, pitch development, and media materials for launches and announcements.
• Manage day-to-day account work including budgeting, reporting and recaps.
• Mentor a high-performing cross-functional team and collaborate across interagency teams.

Skills

Media relations

Storytelling

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

## Director, CommunicationsApply: New York, New York, USA: Full time: Posted Today: JR103318We are in relentless pursuit of an equitable and inspiring workplace that is respectful of all, reflects and represents the world in which we live, and fosters trust, collaboration and belonging. Consistent with this approach, we hire the best qualified candidates for all positions.UEG is an award-winning global agency specializing in entertainment, sports and lifestyle marketing. We create breakthrough marketing by leveraging the people, places and platforms that shape pop culture. Our suite of services includes celebrity/influencer programming, music-film-tv/digital-sports partnerships, communications, branded content and experiential.The team at UEG is a dynamic group, bringing together best-in-class expertise across entertainment, sports and lifestyle, paired with a strong understanding of brand building and effective marketing communications. This is a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment where a genuine passion for culture is paired with the ambition to create business-changing work for our clients.We are in relentless pursuit of an equitable and inspiring workplace that is respectful of all, reflects and represents the world in which we live, and fosters trust, collaboration and belonging. Consistent with this approach, we hire the best qualified candidates for all positions.We are currently looking for a seasoned communications professional to bring strategic thinking, earned media expertise and creative storytelling to two dynamic client businesses. This leader will play a key role on an integrated global account spanning lifestyle, fashion, sport, music, technology and pop culture, while also helping lead communications for an emerging food and beverage brand building its presence across consumer, lifestyle, wellness, sports and industry audiences.Across both businesses, the candidate will help translate brand and business priorities into proactive earned communications strategies, identify culturally relevant storytelling opportunities, and drive programs from strategic recommendation through execution.This person will bring strong earned media savvy, fresh and creative thinking, thoughtful strategy and proactive recommendations, strong organizational skills, and a collaborative approach. This person will also bring excellent written and verbal communication skills, a deep network of media and influencer relationships, strong account management skills, proven media pitching experience and results, and will be poised to help develop talent and empower those around him/her to succeed. The successful candidate will enjoy managing multiple projects, supporting high-profile media activations, and managing multiple fast-moving priorities. .The role will work closely across interagency teams at UEG and within the DJE family of companies. If you are a proactive team player who is ready to join our fast-paced, fast-growing account and practice, we want to hear from you.Responsibilities include but are not limited to:* Develop client-facing earned media strategies that drive coverage, create distinction, and help clients break through with key media and consumers* Generate buzz for product launches, brand announcements, partnership news, retail expansion, tastemakers and executive voices* Identify and develop proactive storylines around consumer behavior, category trends, product innovation, partnerships and cultural moments* Leverage expertise and background to push client into new creative storytelling territories* Cultivate and leverage strong relationships across consumer lifestyle, technology / innovation, wellness, fashion, fitness, sports, food & beverage, business and trade media, as well as relevant creators and tastemakers* Lead targeted product seeding and sampling programs, from audience strategy and media/creator targeting through outreach and follow-up* Develop founder and executive visibility strategies, including thought leadership, profile opportunities, trade media and business storytelling* Play a key role in driving the day-to-day aspects of account work including strategy, messaging development, pitch creation, event execution, measurement, story ideation, product seeding and more* Understand clients’ industry, history, vision, and challenges; anticipate their needs, and capitalize on new opportunities to help create ownable, PR-driven moments that build buzz* Provide input and support on account management elements, including budgeting, client billing, vendor invoicing, reporting, and recapping, etc* Participate in / attend regular client meetings and conference calls, internal meetings, etc.* Help maintain and mentor a high-performing, creative and cross-functional team to provide clients with best-in-class workQualification:* Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field from an accredited college or university* 5-7 years of relevant experience in media relations, including a previous focus on Music/Entertainment, Retail, Fashion, Sports or Fitness, Health/Wellbeing, or Gaming* Additional expertise and relevant experience across the Food and Beverage category* Proven track record contributing to high performing teams and clients* Strong, relevant relationships with top tier media, tastemakers, etc. – and the ability to leverage for earned results* Strong understanding of Gen Z consumers and lifestyle trends across pop culture, as well as a deep understanding of new media and evolving media landscape* Fundamental understanding of Integrated Communications tactics* Strong consumer media instincts with the ability to flex between consumer/lifestyle storytelling and business/trade communications* Experience working with founders, senior executives, talent, athletes and/or creators is a plus* Experience supporting product launches, sampling/seeding programs and experiential activations* Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills (outreach plans, writing, proofreading, pitch development, media materials, strategy documents, decks, etc.)* Strong work ethic and ability to work in a fast-paced environment, while being flexible enough to pivot quickly if needed* Strong and consistent problem-solving and analytical skills* Team player with the ability to project confidence, a positive attitude, good judgement, and a solutions-oriented approach under pressure$68,000 - $96,000 per year