Public Relations Associate Director

EY; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 130,500 - 251,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive compensation and benefits package

Flexible hybrid work model

Flexible vacation policy

Job summary

EY is seeking a Public Relations Associate Director to shape and protect the company's reputation through strategic communication initiatives. This role involves executing PR strategies, managing media relations, and leading social media efforts. The successful candidate will have over 10 years of experience in public relations within a professional services environment, alongside strong leadership and communication skills. The position offers a comprehensive benefits package, flexible work arrangements, and a focus on inclusivity.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in leading public relations.
• Strong leadership skills in a global organization.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Create and manage the PR plan for EY's largest business units.
• Develop proactive PR plans that align with business goals.
• Manage regulatory issues and lead media engagement.

Skills

Public relations leadership

Internal and external messaging expertise

Stakeholder management

Project management

Written and verbal communication

Strategic vision

Cultural competence

Commercial acumen

Job description

Location: Anywhere in Country

Public Relations Associate Director

At EY, you will build a career as unique as your own, leveraged by a global scale, supportive infrastructure, inclusive culture and advanced technology. You will help shape and protect EY’s reputation through strategic communication initiatives and collaborate with the business to deliver inclusive, audience‑centric brand strategies.

Opportunity

The Public Relations Associate Director is responsible for defining and executing public‑relations strategies that align with EY’s purpose and business objectives. The role serves as a key connector across Firm PR, Global PR, Marketing, Communications, Reputation Management, and Public Policy.

Key Responsibilities

• Public Relations Execution: Create and manage the PR plan for one of EY’s largest business units, deploy media‑relations tactics, secure positive coverage, support theory leaders with media training and press briefings, and identify media opportunities that ensure business alignment.
• Strategic Business Partnering: Develop proactive PR plans, align priorities with key business goals, build trusted relationships with leadership, and execute PR elements of priority programs.
• Crisis, Regulatory & Issues Management: Partner with business executives, Public Policy and Firm PR to manage regulatory issues, lead scenario planning, message development, approvals, and media engagement.
• Executive & Thought Leadership Social Strategy: Lead social media strategy for leaders and programs, including governance, risk management, content review, executive positioning, and amplification through a Center of Excellence model.
• Measurement & Insights: Evaluate and report on PR outcomes and impact, continuously refine local planning, strategy, and activation.
• Agency & Budget Leadership: Own day‑to‑day relationships with PR, social, and research agencies; manage scopes of work, budgets, invoices and performance, ensuring compliance with EY standards and approval processes.

Skills and Attributes for Success

• Extensive experience (10+ years) in leading public relations within a professional services environment, with 7‑10+ years at a Big Four, and expertise in internal and external messaging.
• Strong leadership skills to inspire and manage teams within a highly matrixed global organization.
• Stakeholder management and influencing skills: clearly convey ideas and influence senior stakeholders.
• Project management skills: think strategically and manage complex global projects to completion.
• Commercial acumen: analyze market trends to guide strategic decisions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills: convey complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Agility and adaptability: manage ambiguity in a high‑paced, dynamic environment.
• Strategic vision: support development and implementation of strategies, demonstrating creative problem‑solving skills.
• Cultural competence: embrace diversity and foster a global and inclusive workplace.

Benefits

• Comprehensive compensation and benefits package with a base salary range of $130,500 to $251,200, and higher ranges for key U.S. metro areas. Additional benefits include medical and dental coverage, pension and 401(k) plans, and extensive paid time off.
• Flexible hybrid work model: most external roles work 40‑60% of the time in person.
• Flexible vacation policy: decide your vacation time based on your personal circumstances, with additional time for designated EY Paid Holidays, breaks, and personal/family leave.

Equal Employment Opportunity

EY provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, genetic information, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other legally protected basis, including arrest and conviction records, in accordance with applicable law.