Vice President, Earned Media

Zeno Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 115,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Be Kind to Your Mind program

401(k) plan

Headspace subscription

Paid time off

Job summary

Zeno Group, a global independent communications agency, seeks a Vice President, Earned Media in Chicago. Lead client storytelling through earned media, secure top-tier coverage, and guide account teams with media strategy and strong relationships.

Demonstrated editorial excellence and a track record in securing executive interviews are essential. You will influence agency-wide earned media practices, monitor media trends, and identify opportunities across diverse industries.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience at an agency or in-house with business media focus.
• Robust portfolio of secured coverage across national/local/broadcast/print/online.
• Ability to conceptualize mediable stories from ideas and brainstorms.
• Excellent writing and editorial skills; strong client presentations.
• Proven multi-tasking and prioritization for multiple client projects.

Responsibilities

• Media strategy development and execution for client storytelling in earned media.
• Pitching and delivering results across media; strengthen media savviness of teams.
• Maintain a roster of top-tier media contacts and build new relationships.
• Lead and educate colleagues on earned media best practices and news cycles.
• Stay informed on daily media landscape and uncover opportunities for clients.

Skills

Media relations

Storytelling

Editing/Writing

Multi-tasking

Networking

Strategic thinking

Job description

Zeno Group is the fiercely independent and global, integrated communications agency, born from PR. We bring together the boldest and brightest talent to help clients across industries and sectors unleash the power of strategic communications. Guided by our \"Fearless Pursuit of the Unexpected\", we push the boundaries to achieve real business value and societal impact for clients. Winner of the industry’s most coveted awards including the 2024 PRWeek U.S. Outstanding Large Agency of the Year, 2023 PRWeek Purpose Agency of the Year, 2022 PRWeek Global Agency of the Year, 2022 PRovoke Best Large Agency to Work For in North America and a three-time winner of PRWeek’s Best Places to Work. Zeno has also been previously recognized by the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Zeno is a DJE Holdings Company.

Job Description

Are you the friend who’s always first to share breaking news alerts? Do you wake up each morning scrolling through your newsfeed on your phone? Do you send placements you secure to your family… and they (still) do not know what you do for living?

As a Vice President, Earned Media at Zeno, you will have a proven track record of delivering top-tier coverage, an impressive sense of storytelling and a brag-worthy contact list of business media. You are a strategic and creative thinker who applies an earned media mindset to all client work. You have a strong roster of top media contacts across business, financial and mainstream media. Additionally, you have an entrepreneurial spirit and ability to manage multiple, simultaneous assignments while balancing internal (Zeno) and external (client) expectations.

About The Role

• Media Strategy Development and Execution - Support the development and execution of client storytelling in earned media.
• Pitch and Deliver Results – Work in the trenches with media and expected to deliver results across the board, securing media coverage while also helping strengthen media savviness of account teams and clients.
• Strong Media Contacts – Bring a strong roster of top-tier and cross-category media contacts to Zeno and builds new relationships where needed.
• Leading Member of Zeno’s Media Network – High visibility role across the agency, educating colleagues across the agency on earned media best practices, the changing media landscape and POVs for navigating the news cycle.
• Deep Knowledge of the Media Landscape – Have a pulse on the daily media landscape, insider knowledge and ability to unearth media opportunities for our clients across the board.

About You

• At least 10+ years of experience at an agency or in-house, with primary expertise in business media, securing interviews for executives and the ability to help clients of all businesses.
• A robust portfolio of secured recent media coverage across national, local, broadcast, print, and online mediums.
• An ability to conceptualize media-worthy stories from initial ideas and brainstorms – and the ability to weigh in quickly on what is considered “mediable”.
• Demonstrated excellent writing and editorial skills as well as the proven ability to make clear, convincing presentations to clients and senior leaders.
• An innate and natural ability to multi-task and juggle different client projects and internal Zeno priorities.
• A leading-edge knowledge of how media works today – and a point of view on the future of earned media as a tool within the communicator’s toolkit.
• Solution-oriented, collaborative, go-getter mentality.

Pay Range

Pay Range: $115,000-$135,000 USD/yr.

Level 08

An employee’s pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, travel requirements, revenue-based metrics, any contractual agreements, and business or organizational needs. The range listed is just one component of DJEH’s total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, a Paid Time Off policy, and region-specific benefits.

About Our Benefits

Healthy, happy employees make Zeno better, so we have programs that support physical, mental and financial wellness. Our culture and benefits are designed to promote flexibility, celebrate diversity and support work/life balance. We offer a variety of medical, dental and vision insurance with prescription plans, as well as short and long-term disability. Our Be Kind to Your Mind program focuses on mental health, providing a paid subscription to Headspace and access to mental health providers and other services through a best-in-class employee assistance program. Employees are encouraged to bring their authentic self to Zeno and participate in our employee resource groups which build communities for sharing and support. And while we love our work, we believe in the restorative power of time off with generous vacation, paid holidays and self-care time. Employees are supported in their pursuit of financial wellness with a 401(k) plan, pretax flexible spending accounts, tuition assistance, life insurance and free access to a certified financial coach. And our unique ZenoFit program provides a monthly allowance to fund activities in your personal life that bring you joy and keep you healthy. These and other benefits are available to non-temporary employees in the US.

Zeno Group, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees. Employment decisions are made on the basis of job-related criteria without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, genetic information, national origin, disability, military, or veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law. We invite all applicants to voluntarily self-identify their race, ethnicity, and gender. Submission of the information on this form is strictly voluntary and refusal to provide it will not subject you to any adverse treatment. Information obtained will be retained in a confidential file and separate from personnel records. This information may only be used in accordance with the provision of applicable federal laws, executive orders, and regulations. If you want more information about any of the sections, please check with a company representative.