Director, Media Relations (Sports)

Praytell•New York, NY

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Praytell is a creative communications agency seeking a New York-based Director, Media Relations to lead earned media strategy and execution for its Sports & Entertainment practice, with support for other groups as needed. The ideal candidate is a natural storyteller with strong press relationships and a knack for integrating brands into cultural conversations across various platforms, from top-tier outlets to emerging digital spaces. This role involves collaborating with influencer, social, creative, and analytics teams to deliver integrated campaigns, mentoring junior staff, and serving as a trusted client partner. The position requires a blend of strategy, connection, and leadership, with a focus on creativity, hustle, and results. Candidates should have 8+ years of PR and media relations experience, a proven track record in sports and lifestyle campaigns, experience in new business pitches, and confidence in advising senior clients. Strong media relationships, particularly in sports and sports business, are essential, as is a willingness to leverage AI tools for modern storytelling approaches. This role requires candidates to be based in New York or the greater metropolitan area.

Requirements

8+ years of PR and media relations experience
Developed and executed standout campaigns in sports and lifestyle
Pitched and won new business
Advised senior-level clients with confidence
Strong media relationships across channels, especially in sports and sports business outlets
Eagerness to harness AI tools for research, workflow optimization, ideation and creative development
Candidates must be based in New York or the greater metropolitan area.

Responsibilities

Develop and drive innovative media strategies for sports, entertainment and lifestyle clients, owning all aspects of execution alongside account teams.
Ensure clients are part of culturally relevant media conversations across sports, entertainment, lifestyle, music, fashion, wellness and business.
Create compelling angles, pitches and storytelling opportunities that secure coverage across traditional outlets (print, online, broadcast) and emerging platforms (podcasts, Substacks, digital video, newsletters, social).
Bring a strong roster of sports, entertainment and lifestyle media contacts while continually expanding your network through pitching, press meetings and IRL/virtual connections.
Partner with creative teams to ensure ideas will be press worthy.
Staff and support client events, athlete/celebrity activations, press days, red carpets and experiential opportunities. Media-train spokespeople and staff interviews to ensure polished execution.
Serve as the go-to expert on media trends, emerging platforms and target outlets on client calls and in campaign planning. Create forward-looking POVs that translate industry shifts into actionable strategies.
Manage proactive and reactive media relations while mentoring junior staff in pitching, strategy and client service. Lead staff development programs and contribute to broader culture initiatives.
Work closely with Influence (Media, Influencer, Corporate) and integrated teams (creative, social, analytics) to deliver smart connected work. Contribute to agency-wide media POVs and share learnings from press interactions.
Partner with account leads to co-develop KPIs, oversee reporting and monitoring and make recommendations to optimize performance.
Participate in new business opportunities, occasionally travel for client/press needs and help build the future of Praytell’s Sports, Entertainment and Lifestyle practice.

Benefits

Salary: $105,000 - $125,000
Comprehensive health care (Medical, Dental, Vision)
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) with annual shares of Project Worldwide, our parent company
Traditional and Roth 401(k) options with an annual employer contribution based on company performance
Flexible Time Off (FTO), company holidays and mental health days
Flexible work locations within the US - remote is a-ok!
Physical hubs and offices in LA, SF, Austin, Chicago, Minneapolis and New York
Flex Fridays, designed to keep Fridays meeting-free for focused work and to give you space to support your personal wellbeing while delivering great client service
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with mental health, family, career, legal and financial support
Paid parental leave and fertility support
Training and team-building programs
Camp Praytell, our company offsite (eligibility based on start date)
Employee Resource Groups (BEACON, Compañeros, elevAsian, Herizon and Prism)