Account Director, Earned Media Strategy

New York, New York, United States of America

Who We Are

Weber Shandwick is more than a leading global PR agency – we’re an engagement agency and we’re working in and around the cutting edge of the new media landscape. We’re storytellers, content creators, and we engage people IN the story. Our success is built on a deep commitment to client service and to our people. We embrace creativity and collaboration, and we engage stakeholders in new and creative ways to build brands and reputations.

Who We Are Seeking

We are seeking an Account Director, Earned Media Strategy with exceptional strategic prowess and media relations expertise to support our top-tier CPG, Retail, and Food & Beverage clients.

You live for a great pitch and have the media relationships to back it up. With deep knowledge of top-tier lifestyle, entertainment, sports, food & beverage, and business outlets, you know how to get stories placed–and noticed. You move seamlessly between traditional media and emerging platforms like Substack, podcasts, and content creators. Fluent in internet culture and always ahead of the trends, you know what’s buzzy, what’s next, and how to help brands break through.

A creative storyteller and collaborative partner, you bring curiosity, originality, and hustle to everything you do. If you're ready to make waves with a team of leading earned strategists, we want to talk.

• Strategic Leadership & Storytelling:
  • Lead the development and execution of comprehensive earned and integrated media programs from start to finish.
  • Proactively and reactively craft compelling, newsworthy stories that drive earned coverage and tap into the cultural zeitgeist.
  • Spot and execute on quick-turn, culturally relevant storytelling opportunities for clients.
  • Draft high-quality internal and external-facing media materials, including briefing documents, Q&As, pitches, press releases, and messaging documents.
• Media & Cultural Mastery:
  • Build and maintain excellent relationships with top-tier media across business, broadcast, and lifestyle verticals—including men’s/women’s interest, fitness, food & beverage, wellness, sports, and entertainment.
  • Maintain a strong, real-time understanding of the media and cultural landscape, as well as emerging issues that may impact clients.
  • Approach all client work with deep curiosity, consistently seeking to understand the brand, its competitors, and the broader industry context.
• Client & Campaign Excellence:
  • Serve as a senior counselor, interacting effectively with clients and leaders within their organizations.
  • Deliver consistently high-caliber work with a client-first mindset and sharp attention to detail.
  • Collaborate effectively with agency and inter-agency partners, serving as a key contributor to drive alignment and deliver cohesive, large-scale campaign work.
• Team & Agency Growth:
  • Mentor and develop junior team members through hands‑on guidance, continuous feedback, and professional development support.
  • Actively cultivate and participate in new business opportunities and pitches, contributing to the growth of the practice.

• Business Acumen – align talent strategies to drive business goals
• Client Service – client focus and ability to build trust and rapport across all levels
• Proactivity – exhibit relentless pursuit for new and innovative talent strategies
• Collaboration – build strong relationships at all levels across the organization
• Critical Thinking – ask probing questions; anticipate and address critical talent gaps and needs
• Conflict Resolution – possess sound judgment and savvy in navigating and resolving complex talent and organizational issues

• 6-8 years of experience.
• Experience leading…