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Public Relations Director (Animal Health)

VML

Department: Media Services

Location: New York, NY , United States

Last Updated: 3/4/2025

Requisition ID: R-2024

At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration.

The Public Relations Director is responsible for leading key PR programs and teams for a key client. This includes leading projects, building client relationships, managing team members and working with integrated teams. This position will primarily focus on animal health communications, overseeing both veterinary media outreach and global public relations initiatives for a pet-related client.

What you’ll do:

• Actively seek out, partner, and build relationships with colleagues across teams (Client Engagement, Strategy, Creative, Paid Media, Discoverability, etc.)
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, serving as a client resource and providing client counsel both responsively and proactively
• Participate in strategic planning to identify PR “jobs to be done” and to make sure PR is included/represented
• Join Creative briefing and ideation sessions to provide recommendations for enhancing campaigns/activations with earned media and develop integrated go-to-market tactics
• Lead strategic PR plan and communications campaign development, creating actionable PR objectives, strategies and tactics
• Develop high-level PR materials, including integrated programs, content strategy, executive communications, stakeholder materials, etc.
• Create and manage brand building and protection programs, including thought leadership, executive visibility, issues management and more
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with key reporters, editors and producers at print, digital and broadcast media outlets in both consumer and trade spaces
• Stay on top of and assess industry trends to identify opportunities to inject clients into news cycles and drive story idea development
• Support client teams at major trade shows, conferences and virtual events, as directed, and coordinate activities in partnership with other team members
• Develop and manage client budgets and support budget development, tracking and communications
• Demonstrate ability to provide feedback on key written materials, including client communications, media materials and strategic plans
• Manage and assign projects to team members, providing support, feedback and regular check ins on progress
• Manage team members, serving as a resource and mentor to help develop team members and increase their knowledge/abilities
• Be at the forefront of industry issues and provide client counsel for effective issues management
• Lead new business opportunities, including PR-focused efforts as well as integrated proposals

What you’ll need:

• 10+ years of relevant experience in agency or PR-related field with proven track record of success
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Solid interpersonal skills and ability to build strong client relationships
• Ability to work collaboratively within PR team and cross agency department teams
• Familiarity with PR, influencers, and social media trends
• Animal Health experience highly preferred

VML is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, military/veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or other protected group status.

The base salary range for this position at the time of this posting is indicated below. Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package.

$60,000 — $140,000 USD

At VML, we are committed to fostering an all-inclusive work environment that is both rewarding and career-forward.