Public Relations Senior Director - Consumer Brands specialist

A leading public relations and strategic communications firm is seeking a Senior Director with a focus on consumer brand and food & beverage clients to join their New York office.You'll love this job if you enjoy working in a fast-paced, collaborative, and creative environment. Given the size of the team, you will start contributing on day one to the firm's corporate and consumer brand clients, including major CPG and food/beverage companies, as well as the company's growth and culture.What you'll do:Client ResponsibilitiesServe as a primary, day-to-day contact with clients, providing strong counsel, anticipating client needs, and interacting regularly with senior-level client contactsShow a high level of integrity in counseling and consulting to develop strong, collaborative relationships with client decision-makersServe as a senior strategic counselor to C-suite and leadership, shaping overarching communications strategy rather than executing against an existing planOversee account strategy and team structure to ensure client objectives are met and deliverables are high quality and creativeOwn media relations for your client teams, from producing materials that will secure proactive coverage to cultivating relationships with journalists and influencersParticipate in and conduct media training sessions and media interviewsDemonstrate ability to effectively develop a full range of materials including strategic plans, press materials, social copy, digital content, client correspondence, and moreTeam / Internal ManagementPlay a leadership role in agency growth, including mentorship and contribution to broader staffing and account strategy decisionsTrain and acclimate new hires to client teams and projectsProvide solutions and recommendations to senior staff to leverage opportunities and troubleshoot client-related challengesLead new business efforts, including pitching and closing, in addition to supporting proposal development and researchBe responsible for reviewing and editing all written materials developed by teamDeliver constructive and clear feedback to direct reports and junior staffWe're looking for:8-10 years of professional experience at a public relations agency or as part of an in-house communications team, with significant experience on a major consumer packaged goods, food, or beverage brand (e.g., Kellogg's, P&G, or a comparable food/beverage company) requiredManagement experience with oversight of direct reports for at least 5 years, including mentoring other managersComfort and experience working alongside high-profile spokespeople or talent as part of a brand's public-facing strategy, including coordinating with personal representatives (agents, managers, publicists) where relevantExpertise with traditional and non-traditional PR strategies and tacticsDemonstrated success in securing top-tier press coverage for a diverse range of clientsExcellent verbal and written communications skillsSelf-starter and is comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, meeting deadlines, and driving multiple projects across the finish line at onceStrong aptitude and interest in writingExceptional attention to detail, follow up, and organization skillsDigital and social media savvy a plusConsumer Brand ExpertiseEstablished, active relationships with lifestyle, food, and consumer press (e.g., Food & Wine, Bon Appétit, Good Morning America, Today, NYT Food/Well, AdAge) as well as trade and business outlets covering the CPG/food & beverage industryDemonstrated track record of landing feature placements, product features, and brand storytelling in top consumer and trade publicationsExperience managing PR around new product launches, packaging or formula changes, and seasonal/promotional campaigns for a packaged goods or food/beverage brandFamiliarity with the retail and grocery landscape, including how brand news intersects with retailer relationships and category dynamicsExperience partnering with marketing, brand, and legal teams to align PR messaging with broader brand campaigns and ensure claims substantiationAbility to translate nutrition, sourcing, sustainability, or ingredient-related information into clear, consumer-friendly narrativesTrack record of managing issues or crisis communications relevant to consumer brands (e.g., recalls, supply chain disruptions, ingredient or labeling controversies, executive transitions)Experience building spokesperson platforms and securing broadcast/media opportunities for brand executives or culinary/nutrition expertsCompensation range: $135-160K with generous benefits package.