Director, External Communications

dentsu•Little Rock, NY

9d•$113,000 - $148,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Merkle is seeking a strategic, hands-on Director of External Communications to lead its public relations and earned media strategy across the Americas. The role strengthens Merkle’s reputation and positioning as a leader in business transformation. The Director shapes strategy, develops compelling narratives, advises executives, and personally executes high-impact communications, bringing together business transformation, technology, and customer experience topics. The Director reports to the VP, Marketing Strategy and has a dotted-line relationship to the VP, Communications, dentsu Americas. The role is based in New York. Employees within commuting distance of a hub office are expected to work in person three days per week, except employees based in Los Angeles and Detroit, who are expected to work in person two days per week. Employees outside commuting range may be designated remote depending on the role and business needs. Employees are expected to be flexible to attend an office as needed for company and client needs. The annual salary range is $113,000–$148,000, with placement based on factors including relevant experience, knowledge, and skills. The position is also eligible for discretionary incentive compensation. It is full-time and permanent. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis.

Requirements

At least 8 years of experience in public relations or external communications, preferably within B2B technology, consulting, or professional services.
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.

Nice To Haves

Experience developing PR initiatives involving enterprise clients, strategic partnerships, and industry events.
Experience supporting corporate reputation, issues management, or crisis communications in coordination with corporate communications teams.
Experience working across regional and global communications teams and measuring earned media effectiveness.

Responsibilities

Own and execute Merkle’s Americas external communications strategy, developing a proactive PR agenda aligned with business priorities, market positioning, and the broader dentsu communications framework.
Identify and prioritize external communications opportunities across Merkle’s solutions, industries, clients, and partnerships, working 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, coordinate editorial resources, and prioritize 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.