Public Relations Account Director: Fashion, Beauty, Lifestyle

Please note that we are not actively hiring for this role. If this role sounds interesting, please submit an application and you will be on the top of the list for consideration when this position opens up Fall 2024. If you are interested in current openings, please apply directly to an active posting here.

Derris is a brand consultancy headquartered in New York City and London. We approach our work methodically, telling stories with universal impact through strategy, positioning, content and communications. We challenge conventional thinking and seek to work with people who have an open mind for new ideas. We work with people, companies and causes we believe in.

About Derris

Derris helps build great brands. From lifestyle and fashion to beauty, and more — we work with both new and established companies to develop narratives that stand out in cluttered industries. We create unique messaging and execute strategic media relations programs that blend traditionally separate practice areas to offer clients a holistic approach to both consumer and business storytelling. A few of the clients on our roster include: Warby Parker, Reformation, Everlane, Harry's, Bombas, and Supergoop!.

Derris is looking for an Account Director that will be responsible for overseeing the strategic planning and day-to-day tactical execution on a variety of clients in the fashion, beauty, and lifestyle spaces, as well as internal leadership initiatives and responsibilities. Furthermore, we are looking for candidates passionate about contributing to creating a unique company culture.

Location: This role is based in our New York, NY office on a hybrid basis. The Derris staff is in-office 3 days per week.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as strategic lead for clients, leading the team within client strategy sessions and driving the compilation of strategy documents 
• Serve as main contact for sensitive client problem solving and crisis mitigation 
• Oversee and support team pitching efforts across broadcast, print and online
• Maintain strong media relationships and secure feature coverage across applicable business and consumer verticals
• Support the team with tactical news creation and problem solving
• Maintain pulse on client industry news and media updates within, bringing fresh ideas to the table to increase client awareness and earned media impact
• Adhere to deadlines and deliver work on time
• Communicate effectively both internally and externally across accounts
• Proactively identify client needs and business opportunities
• Participate in new business meetings and pitches as applicable
• Guide junior staff members and oversee all client activity and press materials
• As part of our Senior Leadership Team, be actively engaged in developing company culture; improving team morale, managing workload and contributing to the company’s growth as a whole
• Begin to manage a limited number of Direct Reports, increasing in scope over time 

Qualifications:

• 6-8 years of Public Relations experience - agency experience preferred
• Proven track record of media relations experience, including leveraging business storytelling to effectively communicate strategies to diverse audiences
• Skilled at creating pitches, strategies and talking points
• Experience in leading client relationships
• Experience in managing a team, experience managing direct reports preferred
• Ability to think through communication strategies and deliver tangible results
• Ability to write stylistically and shift writing styles based on client deliverables and internal meetings
• Strong communication skills; both written and verbal
• Comfortable working across a variety of industries and clients

Note: Interested in this role but it’s not quite the right match? Applicants who meet some but not all or exceed the above criteria are still encouraged to apply! We are eager to speak with candidates with diverse backgrounds and can assess role leveling on an individual basis.

Compensation: Derris offers competitive industry rate salary bands with the goal of retaining and growing talented individuals. We regularly review and adjust our compensation structure as needed to ensure equity across teams and levels. 

The salary range for this role is $110,000-$130,000, commensurate with experience, plus end of year bonuses based on firm, team, and individual performance.

Employees are eligible for employee referral bonuses, annual merit increases, and commission for any referrals that lead to formal client partnerships. Derris is also committed to providing each employee with continued training and education as you grow within your careers with our Education Reimbursement Policy.

Benefits & Perks

• Employer-sponsored Health, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Pre-tax Health Savings Account Savings Plan (HSA-SP) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• 401K with a 4% employer match and no vesting period
• Flex Weeks - Work from anywhere (on EST hours) for up to four weeks a year
• Free lunch 1x per week
• Generous paid time off (PTO), inclusive of general PTO, 13 paid bank holidays and 2 days for volunteer work
• Summer Fridays
• Pre-tax commuter benefits 
• Parental leave
• Monthly cell phone data reimbursement
• Discounted gym memberships
• Life insurance
• Short and long-term disability insurance
• Continuous skills training tailored to your role

Derris provides equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

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Orchestra is the first communications company built for today’s media landscape. Since 2022, it’s acquired nine firms, including: BerlinRosen, Civitas Public Affairs Group, Derris, Glen Echo Group, Inkhouse, M18, Message Lab, Onward and Small Girls PR. It also launched Brightmode, a talent acquisition firm for your communication professionals. Learn more at: www.orchestraco.com.

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