Director, External Communications

dentsu Austria

. Lead Merkle's public relations and earned media strategy across the Americas .

Posted 10/28/2026full-timeUnited StatesLead💰 $113,000 - $148,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in leading public relations strategies and external communications, with a strong focus on media engagement, narrative development, and executive visibility. Proven ability to collaborate across global teams and manage complex initiatives in B2B technology and consulting sectors.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Public Relations Strategy DevelopmentMedia Relationship ManagementExecutive Communication and GhostwritingCrisis Communications ExperienceB2B Technology Industry Knowledge

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Public RelationsExternal CommunicationsMedia EngagementEditorial JudgmentWriting and GhostwritingNarrative DevelopmentMeasurement of Earned MediaCrisis CommunicationsStrategic PartnershipsB2B Technology Expertise

Soft Skills

Strong Executive PresenceCollaboration Across TeamsAbility to Manage Competing PrioritiesAdvising Senior Executives

Industry Keywords

B2B TechnologyConsultingProfessional ServicesDigital TransformationCustomer ExperienceEnterprise TechnologyThought LeadershipReputation ManagementIssues ManagementMedia Coverage

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead Merkle's public relations and earned media strategy across the Americas
Own and execute Merkle's Americas external communications strategy aligned with business priorities, market positioning, and dentsu's communications framework
Identify and prioritize external communications opportunities across solutions, industries, clients, and partnerships
Coordinate with dentsu Communications on messaging, approvals, and reputation management
Collaborate with global communications and Analyst Relations teams
Build relationships with journalists, editors, and publications covering customer experience, digital transformation, enterprise technology, AI, and related industries
Develop and pitch stories, executive perspectives, and company announcements to secure earned media coverage
Lead media engagement for company news, launches, and client successes
Prepare press materials, coordinate interviews, and prepare spokespersons
Shape external narratives from research, expertise, and business priorities
Author and ghostwrite executive bylines, opinion pieces, contributed articles, and commentary
Build executive visibility through media interviews, speaking opportunities, and thought leadership placements
Manage the day-to-day PR program and coordinate editorial resources
Measure earned coverage, share of voice, message pull-through, and executive visibility to refine the program
Report to the VP, Marketing Strategy, with a dotted-line relationship to the VP, Communications, dentsu Americas

Requirements

What you’ll need

8+ years of experience in public relations or external communications, preferably within B2B technology, consulting, or professional services
Proven ability to develop and execute proactive PR strategies
Established media relationships across business, technology, and marketing publications
Exceptional editorial judgment, writing, and ghostwriting capabilities, including executive bylines, opinion pieces, and contributed content
Experience advising senior executives and translating complex business and technology topics into compelling external narratives
Strong executive presence
Ability to lead initiatives, manage competing priorities, and collaborate across matrixed organizations
Experience developing PR initiatives involving enterprise clients, strategic partnerships, and industry events
Experience supporting corporate reputation, issues management, or crisis communications
Experience working across regional and global communications teams and measuring earned media effectiveness

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical, vision, and dental insurance
Life insurance
Short-term and long-term disability insurance
401k
Flexible paid time off
At least 15 paid holidays per year
Paid sick and safe leave
Paid parental leave
Applicable state and local employee leave benefits