Head of External Communications & Media Strategy

Dentsu International Americas; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 113,000 - 148,000; Full time

Job summary

Merkle is seeking a strategic, hands‑on Director of External Communications to lead our public relations and earned media strategy across the Americas, strengthening Merkle's reputation as a leader in business transformation.

The ideal candidate will shape strategy, develop narratives, advise executives, and personally execute high‑impact communications across business transformation, technology, and customer experience.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in public relations or external communications, preferably within B2B technology, consulting, or professional services.
• Proven ability to develop and execute proactive PR strategies, supported by established media relationships across business, technology, and marketing publications.
• Exceptional editorial judgment, writing, and ghostwriting capabilities, including executive bylines, opinion pieces, and contributed content.
• Experience advising senior executives and translating complex business and technology topics into compelling external narratives.
• Strong executive presence and ability to lead initiatives, manage competing priorities, and collaborate across matrixed organizations.

Responsibilities

• Own and execute Merkle's Americas external communications strategy, developing a proactive PR agenda aligned to business priorities, market positioning, and the broader dentsu communications framework.
• Identify and prioritize external communications opportunities across Merkle's solutions, industries, clients, and partnerships, collaborating with marketing and business leaders to bring them to market.
• Coordinate with dentsu Communications on messaging, approvals, and reputation management, and collaborate with global communications and Analyst Relations teams to maintain alignment.
• Build and leverage relationships with influential journalists, editors, and publications covering customer experience, digital transformation, enterprise technology, AI, and related industries.
• Develop and pitch timely stories, executive perspectives, and company announcements to secure meaningful earned media coverage.
• Lead media engagement for company news, launches, and client successes, including press materials, interview coordination, and spokesperson preparation.
• Shape external narratives from Merkle's research, expertise, and business priorities in partnership with Thought Leadership and Content Strategy teams.
• Author and ghostwrite executive bylines, opinion pieces, contributed articles, and commentary, translating complex topics into compelling perspectives for business audiences.
• Build executive visibility through media interviews, speaking opportunities, and thought leadership placements.
• Manage the day‑to‑day PR program, coordinating editorial resources, and prioritizing initiatives and investments.
• Measure effectiveness through quality of earned coverage, share of voice, message pull‑through, and executive visibility, using insights to refine the program.

Skills

Public relations

Media relations

Executive ghostwriting

Strategic communications

C-suite advisory

Job description

Merkle is seeking a strategic, hands‑on Director of External Communications to lead our public relations and earned media strategy across the Americas, strengthening Merkle's reputation as a leader in business transformation.

The ideal candidate will shape strategy, develop narratives, advise executives, and personally execute high‑impact communications across business transformation, technology, and customer experience.