Public Relations Director

Description

The Public Relations Director is a senior communications leader responsible for developing and leading integrated public relations strategies that drive measurable business results for agency clients. This role oversees client relationships, department leadership and the strategic direction of public relations programs while mentoring and developing team members across multiple accounts.

The Public Relations Director is an expert in earned communications strategy and understands how public relations, executive thought leadership, influencer partnerships, content and social media work together to build brand reputation, credibility and audience engagement. This individual identifies opportunities to integrate these disciplines into cohesive communications programs that support client business objectives and deliver measurable outcomes.

Public relations programs may include strategic communications planning, media relations, executive visibility, thought leadership, influencer partnerships, brand storytelling, reputation management, crisis communications, content strategy and integrated communications campaigns.

Requirements

Client Strategy & Leadership

• Lead the strategic development of integrated public relations and influencer marketing programs for assigned clients.
• Serve as the senior communications counselor to clients, providing proactive recommendations and executive-level strategic guidance.
• Develop annual communications strategies aligned with clients' business objectives and measurable outcomes.
• Identify opportunities to integrate earned media, influencer partnerships, content marketing and social media into cohesive communications programs.
• Lead crisis communications planning and response for assigned clients, partnering with agency leadership as needed.
• Ensure programs deliver measurable business impact through analytics, reporting and optimization.

Integrated Communications & Influencer Strategy

• Recommend when influencer partnerships can strengthen communications strategies and support broader business objectives.
• Provide strategic direction for influencer initiatives to ensure they complement earned media, content, and social media programs.
• Guide teams in developing integrated communications programs that leverage multiple channels to maximize credibility, reach and engagement.
• Partner with internal specialists and external resources on influencer identification, creator selection, program development, measurement and best practices.
• Stay current on the evolving media landscape, creator economy, platform changes and emerging communications trends.
• Serve as a strategic resource for integrated communications, helping clients navigate the convergence of earned media, creator partnerships and digital communications.

Team Leadership

• Lead and mentor Public Relations Associate Directors, Senior PR Managers, PR Managers and Coordinators across multiple client businesses.
• Provide coaching, performance feedback and professional development to strengthen the team's strategic capabilities.
• Allocate resources effectively across accounts while ensuring high-quality client service.
• Foster collaboration across disciplines including Content, Social Media, Creative, Paid Media, Client Engagement and Project Management.
• Promote innovation, knowledge sharing and continuous improvement throughout the department.

Business Development

• Lead communications strategy development for new business opportunities and organic growth initiatives.
• Participate in client presentations, agency marketing efforts and thought leadership initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to expand client relationships through additional communications, influencer and integrated marketing services.
• Contribute to department planning, staffing, recruiting and capability development.

Operational Excellence

• Ensure client programs are delivered on time, on budget and at the highest quality standards.
• Maintain close alignment with account leadership to ensure communications strategies support broader marketing initiatives.
• Oversee program reporting and demonstrate measurable business impact.
• Champion agency processes, best practices and operational excellence.

Additional Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists, editors, industry analysts, creators, influencers and strategic partners.
• Represent the agency at industry events, conferences and networking opportunities.
• Remain current on communications trends, media landscape shifts, AI tools and emerging technologies that enhance public relations and influencer marketing.
• Demonstrate exceptional writing, editing and presentation skills.
• Actively contribute to the agency's culture of collaboration, innovation and continuous learning.

Communication & Leadership Skills

• Communicate with confidence, clarity and executive presence.
• Build trusted relationships with clients, media, influencers and agency colleagues.
• Think strategically while effectively leading complex communications programs.
• Inspire teams through mentorship, collaboration and accountability.
• Champion integrated communications approaches that leverage PR, influencer marketing, content and social media.
• Demonstrate sound judgment and problem-solving in high-pressure situations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Marketing or a related field.
• 10–12+ years of public relations experience, preferably within an agency environment.
• Proven experience leading integrated communications programs for national brands.
• Demonstrated expertise developing and managing influencer marketing strategies and creator partnerships.
• Strong understanding of the evolving media landscape, creator economy and digital communications.
• Experience managing client relationships at a senior level and serving as a trusted strategic advisor.
• Exceptional writing, editing and presentation skills.
• Experience leading teams, mentoring talent and managing multiple client businesses simultaneously.
• Strong understanding of how public relations, influencer marketing, social media, content marketing and paid media work together to achieve business objectives.
• Experience using communications measurement tools and analytics to demonstrate program performance and business impact.

This job description serves as an overview of the responsibilities for the outlined position. Please note it is subject to change with specific expectations associated with the position.

At Wray Ward, every resume is reviewed by a human recruiter or hiring manager. AI is not used to make candidate selection decisions.  

Culture Alignment

At Wray Ward, we firmly believe that internal and client relationships are key to our success. Certain attitudes define how we work and are important in what we seek for our culture and mission. Our key agency attitudes are:

• WE, NOT ME — We check our egos at the door. As a result, we thrive in a positive, collaborative atmosphere that welcomes diverse professionals and invites everyone to contribute their best.
• ASK “WHAT IF?” — Always going beyond what is and considering what could be, we create unexpected possibilities that differentiate our brands and accelerate their success.
• BE FEARLESS — Creativity demands that we hold nothing back. So we mutually support each other in speaking up, taking risks and courageously contributing audacious, unedited, unconventional ideas.
• NAIL IT — Everything we do is about results. We not only achieve our clients’ goals, but also continually exceed their expectations. Every person here shares individual responsibility for their own, our agency’s and our clients’ success.

Our 39,000-square-foot home promotes collaboration and productivity through inspired meeting areas, offering natural light, vibrant colors, patterns and textures. Homelike elements are found in every corner, from the open-air roof-deck to our game room with foosball, ping-pong, Connect Five, classic board games and cornhole. Brightly colored throw pillows on sofas and our town hall meeting space, smart entertainment systems and live plants are scattered throughout. From holiday parties to movie nights, bowling and dodgeball teams to yoga and walking groups, we have a warm and inviting culture. Our office ushers us in, and it welcomes us home.

Our Mission

We are a community of catalysts using insights, strategy and creativity to transform spaces into stories and materials into experiences.

Candidates must possess authorization to work in the United States, as it is not the practice of Wray Ward to sponsor individuals for work visas. Wray Ward participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.

At Wray Ward, we strongly believe that a diverse staff and inclusive culture will greatly enrich our work, our business, our industry and our lives. We are committed to an intentional approach to listening, understanding and talking, and to using our individual and collective talent, voices and influence to drive change.

Wray Ward is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.