Public Relations Director (Animal Health)

VML; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage

401k Match

Paid Time Off

Training Opportunities

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking agency as a Public Relations Director, where you'll lead innovative PR initiatives for a key client in the animal health sector. This role emphasizes strategic planning, building strong client relationships, and managing a talented team. You'll engage in creative brainstorming sessions, develop impactful PR materials, and stay ahead of industry trends to ensure client visibility. With a commitment to inclusive culture and professional growth, this dynamic workplace offers a competitive salary and benefits package. If you're passionate about PR and ready to make a difference, this opportunity is for you.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in PR with a focus on agency work.
• Strong skills in communication, project management, and relationship building.

Responsibilities

• Lead key PR programs and manage client relationships effectively.
• Develop strategic PR plans and oversee communication campaigns.

Skills

Strategic Thinking

Project Management

Written Communication

Verbal Communication

Interpersonal Skills

Problem Solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Communications or related field

Tools

Social Media Platforms

PR Software

Job description

Who We Are:

At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.

Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences. Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work.

Who we are looking for:

The Public Relations Director is responsible for leading key PR programs and teams for a key client. This includes leading projects, building client relationships, managing team members and working with integrated teams. This position will primarily focus on animal health communications, overseeing both veterinary media outreach and global public relations initiatives for a pet-related client. Prior experience in the animal health sector is preferred, along with a background in corporate communications and familiarity with global markets. Additionally, experience in issues management and training is also highly desired.

What you'll do:

1. Actively seek out, partner, and build relationships with colleagues across teams (Client Engagement, Strategy, Creative, Paid Media, Discoverability, etc.)
2. Build and maintain strong client relationships, serving as a client resource and providing client counsel both responsively and proactively
3. Participate in strategic planning to identify PR "jobs to be done" and to make sure PR is included/represented
4. Join Creative briefing and ideation sessions to provide recommendations for enhancing campaigns/activations with earned media and develop integrated go-to-market tactics
5. Lead strategic PR plan and communications campaign development, creating actionable PR objectives, strategies and tactics
6. Develop high-level PR materials, including integrated programs, content strategy, executive communications, stakeholder materials, etc.
7. Create and manage brand building and protection programs, including thought leadership, executive visibility, issues management and more
8. Cultivate and maintain relationships with key reporters, editors and producers at print, digital and broadcast media outlets in both consumer and trade spaces
9. Stay on top of and assess industry trends to identify opportunities to inject clients into news cycles and drive story idea development
10. Support client teams at major trade shows, conferences and virtual events, as directed, and coordinate activities in partnership with other team members
11. Develop and manage client budgets and support budget development, tracking and communications
12. Demonstrate ability to provide feedback on key written materials, including client communications, media materials and strategic plans
13. Manage and assign projects to team members, providing support, feedback and regular check ins on progress
14. Manage team members, serving as a resource and mentor to help develop team members and increase their knowledge/abilities
15. Be at the forefront of industry issues and provide client counsel for effective issues management
16. Develop relationships and coordinate correspondence with external audiences: third-party organizations, industry professionals, etc.
17. Lead new business opportunities, including PR-focused efforts as well as integrated proposals

Who you are:

1. Skilled strategic thinker who can anticipate issues and trends, while translating those insights into actionable ideas
2. Strong project manager and editor with ability to direct the creation of PR materials and plans
3. Collaborative team member and leader with experience managing people, preferably in an agency setting
4. Problem solver focused on managing multiple projects, team members and deadlines

What you'll need:

1. 10+ years of relevant experience in agency or PR-related field with proven track record of success
2. Strong written and verbal communication skills
3. Solid interpersonal skills and ability to build strong client relationships
4. Ability to work collaboratively within PR team and cross agency department teams
5. Familiarity with PR, influencers, and social media trends
6. Animal Health experience highly preferred

What we offer:

1. Passionate, driven people | We champion a culture of people that do extraordinary work.
2. Consciously cultivated culture | We aim to embody the behaviors to build an inclusive community that is in it together, bringing both positivity and active listening into the workplace as we simultaneously strive to empower creative bravery.
3. Competitive benefits | What we offer full time hires ranges from the full spectrum of group health coverage options (medical, dental, vision) to a generous 401k match (100% dollar-for-dollar match, up to 5% of salary contribution), and a variety of paid time off offerings that reflect our investment in all aspects of your overall life balance and wellness.
4. Growth-minded opportunities | We aim to nurture a culture of real-time feedback, growth-oriented mindset, and plenty of training opportunities through VML and WPP, so you can continue to grow personally and professionally.

VML is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, military/veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or other protected group status. We believe in creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion and strives to recruit a diverse slate of candidates to help us achieve that goal.

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. We offer a competitive benefits package.

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$60,000-$140,000 USD

At VML, we are committed to fostering an all-inclusive work environment that is both rewarding and career-forward. Our Inclusion, Equity & Belonging initiatives, alongside the VML Foundation, reflect our dedication to giving back and making a positive impact in our communities and beyond. Our people are the heartbeat of our organization-creators, doers, innovators, makers, and thinkers-who drive not just marketing, but meaningful experiences that resonate in every action and interaction.

VML is a WPP Agency. For more information, please visit our website, and follow VML on our social channels via Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.