Vice President, Earned Media Strategist

Edelman is a voice synonymous with trust, reimagining a future where the currency of communication is action. Our culture thrives on three promises: boldness is possibility, empathy is progress, and curiosity is momentum. 

We are in relentless pursuit of an equitable and inspiring workplace that is respectful of all, reflects and represents the world in which we live, and fosters trust, collaboration and belonging.

Edelman has helped evolve, promote and protect some of the world’s most iconic and celebrated brands, and we are looking for a Vice President, Earned Media Strategist to join our team! This is an opportunity for a team player who has experience leading media relations campaigns, is driven by the promise of delivering powerful stories, and has an audience-centric mindset. As part of our dynamic team, you’ll contribute to the success of several major accounts across a variety of sectors. 

Responsibilities:

• Formulate media strategies that will not only help clients find the right reporter for their story at the right time, but strategies that are newsworthy from the onset and can help advance clients’ businesses 
• Support product launches, executive visibility programs, issues-related media events, desk-side briefings, etc. 
• Serve as external clients’ lead media contact, address client issues thoughtfully and effectively, act as day-to-day contact when appropriate 
• Provide sound, level-appropriate media counsel with internal client contacts 
• Draft complex client correspondence and strategies/program recommendations    
• Retain high-level media contacts among a variety of reporters, editors, producers, and bloggers 
• Financial management, including negotiating contracts, supervising and forecasting account budgets, and managing invoicing and billing 
• Delegate work effectively while overseeing a large volume of short-term and longer-term/complex assignments on your accounts 
• Talent development for colleagues whom you manage directly or indirectly; mentor, motivate, coach, consistently provide feedback, hold them accountable and conduct their performance reviews 
• Drive business development, including new business, organic growth with existing clients, prospecting, and developing new service offerings that expand the solutions we bring to clients 

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum of 8 years of professional experience in earned media and media relations 
• Bachelors Degree in a related field or equivalent work experience 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience in a communications agency  
• Ability to travel as needed and flexibility to work on-site, embedded with clients as needed. Should be able to work on-site with client in Chicago on Thanksgiving Day. 
• Have an exceptional understanding of the consumer, lifestyle and preferably food/bev media landscape and the top stories in the news 
• Have established relationships with reporters across a variety of verticals and media outlets 
• Have successful track record of securing impactful media from top-tier outlets within print, online, broadcast and other formats such as podcasts, video, and social content   
• Ability to create integrated earned media strategies that will resonate across platforms and diverse media channels 
• Strong client counsel skills with proven ability to help influence and educate clients up to the Executive level on the role earned media plays within their communications and marketing efforts 
• Have experience functioning as a daily client contact 
• Master of AP style and grammar, spelling and punctuation 
• Proven ability to manage large projects (including budgets) and small teams simultaneously 
• Are an empathetic people manager, with the confidence, professionalism and entrepreneurial spirit necessary to manage a team 

#LI-MB

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.

Edelman offers a wide range of benefits: medical and dental insurance, vision, 401K, life insurance, disability insurance, paid time off, travel assistance and wellness programing. 

Edelman is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage racially and ethnically diverse people, members of the LGBTQ community, veterans, parents, individuals with disabilities and members of any and all protected classes to apply.