Director of Public Relations and Communications

Director of Public Relations and Communications
San Francisco, Chicago or Cambridge, MA
At IDEO, we use design to create new products, services, experiences, tangible strategies and creative capabilities.
IDEO is seeking a dynamic and experienced Director of Public Relations and Communications to lead and drive our external communications strategy. This role is crucial in shaping and amplifying the voice of our brand, ensuring our stories and innovations resonate across platforms and industries. You will be responsible for managing the corporate narrative, overseeing media relations, and leading crisis communication efforts, while collaborating cross-functionally to align communication strategies with IDEO's strategy and business objectives.
Why IDEO?
IDEO is a global design and innovation company known for pushing the boundaries of creativity and collaboration. As our Director of Public Relations and Communications, you will play a vital role in shaping how the world perceives IDEO's groundbreaking work and transformative ideas.We are especially excited to meet candidates with a strong media relations agency background.
This hire must be within commutable distance of one of our North America Studio Hubs. IDEO proudly supports flexible work.
Once here you will:

• Develop, integrate, and implement comprehensive media relations, public relations and external communications strategies aligned with IDEO's company strategy and global brand.
• Be part of the team that serves as the brand's voice, crafting and amplifying compelling narratives that secure press coverage and elevate IDEO's reputation globally.
• Lead crisis communications, preparing statements and managing real-time responses to high-pressure situations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with media contacts, influencers, and thought leaders, securing ongoing positive coverage across national, regional, and trade outlets.
• Drive strategic brand reputation management, continuously measuring the effectiveness of communication initiatives and adjusting strategies accordingly.
• Collaborate with internal teams to develop internal and external messaging, executive speeches, and key community messages.
• Engage and manage external agencies when needed to support and execute PR plans.
• Partner with our Brand and Marketing Teams, as well as hub leadership in market, to ensure that PR efforts are seamlessly integrated into the digital and social media strategy, aligning public-facing messaging and tone across platforms to maintain consistency in brand voice and maximize reach.
• Stay current on cultural trends, media shifts, and competitive activities to ensure IDEO remains relevant and cutting-edge.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for external thought leadership, including award submissions in relevant categories.

Qualifications / Experience:

• 9+ years of experience in Public Relations, Communications, or Digital Marketing, with a proven track record of leading PR efforts in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Strong experience in scaling teams, launching new products, and managing high-stakes communications.
• Global experience outside of North America is ideal.
• Demonstrated success in securing high-level media coverage in news, trade, consumer, and entertainment press.
• Skilled at writing, can actively own press releases with the ability to manage freelancer or other internal resources as needed.
• Existing relationships with key media contacts and the ability to build new ones.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines in a high-volume environment.
• Proficiency in crisis management and reputation protection.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work across global teams and engage senior leaders and executives.
• Exceptional judgment, confidentiality, and discretion.
• A continuous improvement mindset with a proactive, solutions-driven approach to challenges.

Application Requirements and Instructions:
Please consider submitting any relevant examples of work in portfolio/website format.
This application will remain open until November 8th, 2024. Applications received after this date will be considered on a rolling basis.
Salary & Benefits
IDEO is committed to paying its employees equitably, regardless of gender identity or race/ethnicity/cultural identity. We support the holistic well-being of our community by providing a thoughtfully designed benefits package.
The salary range for this role is $130,000 - $180,000 USD. This range is influenced by a wide range of factors considered in compensation decisions at IDEO. This includes, but is not limited to: skills, industry knowledge, and experience. Final offers may vary from the amount listed based on geography, candidate experience & expertise, and other factors.
In addition to base compensation, IDEO offers a rich benefits package including the following:
Health Benefits: Vision, Dental, Healthcare
Financial Benefits: 401K matching
Family & Caregiving: Parental Leave, Adoption Assistance, Fertility Assistance, Transgender Medical Assistance, Breastmilk shipment, Back-up/Dependent Care, Pet Insurance
Other Benefits: Flexible Work, Flexible Time Off, Paid Holidays, Annual Education Stipend, Home Office Stipend
Commitment to Diversity
At IDEO, we are committed to the work of advancing diversity, equity and inclusion within our organization and in the world. Our purpose of having disproportionate, world-changing impact through design is directly connected to our ability to bring many different perspectives to the table. This applies to our candidates, the people we hire, the clients and customers we serve, and the communities we learn from in our research.
As a human-centered organization, we are committed to working with and designing for people of every race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic status, physical ability or attribute, religion, national origin, or political belief. We recognize that this commitment requires ongoing work and sustained attention, as well as adaptation to new insights and best practices. We keep our diversity data public for the sake of accountability and transparency. These commitments will also be part of your journey at IDEO, so please feel free to read more about them here.
#LI-ML