Senior Associate Director, Public Relations

Karsh Hagan + Madden

4d•Remote

About The Position

KH + Madden is an independent marketing agency formed through the strategic partnership of Karsh Hagan and Madden Media. By blending bold creative storytelling with high-performing media, PR, GEO, and data-driven strategy, the agency helps ambitious brands close the gap between how they are seen and how they how they are felt-building genuine connections through moments that move people, brands, and places forward. planners, creating campaigns that don't just reach people-they inspire action. You are a confident representative of KH + Madden in the destination marketing industry-equally comfortable leading a pitch for a multi-million dollar contract as you are pitching a story to a national travel editor. You're an agile thinker who empowers your team to deliver their best work and thrive in a dynamic environment where you own both strategy and results. You're also excited to travel approximately 30% of the time. The Senior Associate Director (SAD), Public Relations is a pivotal leadership role responsible for the strategic health and growth of our regional accounts. Reporting directly to the President of Allied Services, you will act as a bridge between high-level agency strategy and regional execution. This is a "player-coach" role designed for a professional who can lead a team to media success while simultaneously driving the business forward through RFP leadership, client retention, and new business development.

Requirements

Confident representative of KH + Madden in the destination marketing industry
Comfortable leading a pitch for a multi-million dollar contract
Comfortable pitching a story to a national travel editor
Agile thinker who empowers their team
Thrive in a dynamic environment where you own both strategy and results
Travel approximately 30% of the time
Act as a bridge between high-level agency strategy and regional execution
Lead a team to media success
Drive the business forward through RFP leadership, client retention, and new business development
Experience in strategic earned media
Experience in high-level media relations
Experience in crisis communications
Experience in staff mentorship
Experience in collaborative oversight with Creative, Media, and Strategy teams
Experience in performance tracking and reporting PR success using data
Experience in developing buzzworthy activations
Awareness of industry trends and cultural moments

Nice To Haves

Direct line to agency leadership and the ability to shape regional PR strategy
Supportive culture that values intelligence, authenticity, and a willingness to learn
Growth opportunities: training and challenges designed to expand leadership and business development skillset

Responsibilities

Lead the PR strategy for New Business pitches and RFPs, crafting compelling narratives that showcase KH + Madden's unique value proposition.
Identify opportunities for account expansion and new partnerships within your assigned region.
Serve as the senior lead for client relationships, ensuring long-term satisfaction and "moving the needle" on their specific KPIs.
Architect magnetic PR strategies that turn travel stories into headlines, stirring up curiosity across media channels.
Build and nurture relationships with top-tier journalists and influencers; you are the go-to contact for the region's most critical media moments.
Oversee crisis efforts with grace, acting as the calm voice who flips challenges into trust-building moments.
Mentor and inspire the PR team, setting a high bar for creativity, accountability, and professional excellence.
Work closely with Creative, Media, and Strategy teams to ensure regional campaigns are integrated and unified.
Measure and report on PR success using data that matters, helping KH + Madden demonstrate true ROI to our partners.
Ideate media missions and stunts that turn destinations into "must-cover" stories.
Keep a finger on the pulse of industry trends and cultural moments to ensure KH + Madden's PR machine stays ahead of the curve.