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Public Relations Director (Animal Health)

VML

Department: Media Services

Location: Chicago, IL, United States

Last Updated: 3/4/2025

Requisition ID: R-2024

Who We Are:

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. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.

Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences.

Who we are looking for:

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. Prior experience in the animal health sector is preferred, along with a background in corporate communications and familiarity with global markets. Additionally, experience in issues management and training is also highly desired.

What you’ll do:

• Actively seek out, partner, and build relationships with colleagues across teams.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, serving as a client resource and providing client counsel.
• Participate in strategic planning to identify PR “jobs to be done.”
• Join Creative briefing and ideation sessions to provide recommendations for enhancing campaigns.
• Lead strategic PR plan and communications campaign development.
• Develop high-level PR materials, including integrated programs and content strategy.
• Create and manage brand building and protection programs.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with key reporters, editors, and producers.
• Stay on top of and assess industry trends to identify opportunities.
• Support client teams at major trade shows, conferences, and virtual events.
• Develop and manage client budgets.
• Provide feedback on key written materials.
• Manage and assign projects to team members.
• Be at the forefront of industry issues and provide client counsel.
• Lead new business opportunities, including PR-focused efforts.

Who you are:

• Skilled strategic thinker who can anticipate issues and trends.
• Strong project manager and editor.
• Collaborative team member and leader.
• Problem solver focused on managing multiple projects.

What you’ll need:

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

What we offer:

• Passionate, driven people: We champion a culture of people that do extraordinary work.
• Consciously cultivated culture: We aim to embody the behaviors to build an inclusive community.
• Competitive benefits: Comprehensive health coverage options and generous 401k match.
• Growth-minded opportunities: Nurturing a culture of real-time feedback and training opportunities.

VML is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, 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 is $60,000 — $140,000 USD.

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