Account Director, Earned Media Strategy

Circa - IPG DXTRA•New York, NY

6h•Onsite

About The Position

Weber Shandwick is an engagement agency working at the forefront of the new media landscape, focusing on storytelling, content creation, and engaging people in the story. They emphasize client service, creativity, and collaboration to build brands and reputations. This role is for a Director, Earned Media with deep beauty expertise to join the Integrated Media team in New York. The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of culture, beauty, and haircare, and how these categories are represented in media, social platforms, and real life.

Requirements

6-8 years of PR or communications experience, agency or in-house.
Bachelor’s Degree (preferably in Communications, Marketing, Journalism or related field).
Proven media relationships across beauty, lifestyle, entertainment, and culture verticals.
Experience developing and executing integrated campaigns that incorporate influencer, content, and social extensions.
Ability to counsel clients on media relations activities and present plans convincingly.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong organizational and presentation skills; able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Familiarity with measurement and analytics tools (Muck Rack, Meltwater, Cision, etc.).
Working knowledge of and comfort executing new media forms (e.g. podcasts, Substack, etc.).

Nice To Haves

A media connector with a strong network of beauty and lifestyle editors, writers, and creators.
A strategic storyteller who can connect brand goals to cultural moments authentically.
A beauty enthusiast genuinely excited about product innovation, artistry, and culture.
A social-first thinker who can identify storytelling opportunities from social content.
A collaborator who thrives in integrated environments.
A doer and a mentor who can lead media efforts and develop junior teammates with clarity and empathy.

Responsibilities

Lead proactive and reactive media outreach to secure high-impact coverage across top-tier beauty, lifestyle, consumer, social-first and trade publications.
Translate brand strategies into compelling earned storylines that resonate with press, consumers, and social audiences.
Serve as a key day-to-day client contact for earned media, presenting strategies, updates, counsel, and recommendations.
Cultivate strong relationships with editors, writers, producers, influencers, and emerging media voices across traditional and non-traditional platforms.
Collaborate with integrated media teams and external agencies to ensure earned media is integrated into broader campaign plans.
Develop and manage media strategies for major brand moments including product launches, press trips, fashion weeks, and seasonal storytelling.
Stay informed about emerging beauty, wellness, social, and pop culture trends to identify real-time opportunities for clients.
Draft and edit media materials such as press releases, pitches, messaging documents, and executive talking points.
Mentor junior staff on pitching, relationship-building, newsjacking, and account management.
Analyze earned media impact, distill key learnings, and optimize future strategies and KPIs.