Director of Public Relations

New York City, NY (Hybrid)

$136K/yr – $176K/yrDirector/Executive10+ years expFull time

Posted 2 months ago

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Job Summary

Own end to end public relations for a fashion lifestyle brand, focusing on high impact brand moments, product launches, and executive visibility with a culture first lens.

  • PR Strategy & Leadership: set seasonal and annual plans aligned to brand priorities and defend earned media-driven visibility across channels.
  • Media, Partnerships, VIPs: cultivate fashion and lifestyle media, talent and partner relationships, and execute events that amplify storytelling.
  • Execution & Governance: develop press materials, oversee agency collaboration, and ensure consistent, high quality communications across launches and activations.

Job Description

Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute seasonal and annual PR strategies aligned with brand and business priorities, driving earned media visibility, cultural relevance, and external brand positioning
  • Lead communications execution for product launches, campaigns, collaborations, store openings, partnerships, and key business initiatives
  • Bring a strong creative point of view and deep understanding of culture, media, and consumer behavior to identify opportunities that will cut through with both industry and customers, work collaboratively with team members across the business to infuse ideas across business
  • Concept and execute high-impact brand moments, partnerships, events, and storytelling opportunities that generate conversation, engagement, and meaningful visibility for the brand
  • Identify culturally relevant talent, influencer, partner, and media opportunities that amplify brand storytelling and expand reach
  • Build and maintain strong relationships across fashion, lifestyle, retail, and business media, as well as key industry and cultural stakeholders
  • Lead all media outreach - with support of agences - including pitching,, securing impactful coverage that supports brand awareness, credibility, and relevance
  • Develop press materials including releases, messaging documents, briefing materials, and media kits, ensuring consistency across all public-facing communications
  • Monitor industry, consumer, and cultural trends to inform strategy and proactively identify emerging opportunities for the brand
  • Oversee VIP strategy and event execution tied to key launches, partnerships, and ongoing brand visibility. Lead communications and VIP agency relationships, establishing clear priorities and ensuring strong execution against brand and business objectives
  • Partner cross-functionally with Integrated Marketing, Creative, Merchandising, Ecommerce, and Leadership teams to ensure activations and communications align with broader brand objectives and are fully integrated across channels
  • Provide communications counsel and strategic support for executive visibility opportunities and external-facing brand initiatives
  • Drive thoughtful, detail-oriented execution across every launch and activation, ensuring all brand moments are delivered at a high creative and operational standard

Requirements

  • 10+ years of public relations experience, preferably within fashion, retail, or lifestyle brands
  • Proven track record of developing and executing impactful PR strategies that drive earned media visibility and brand relevance
  • Strong understanding of culture, trends, and evolving media landscape, with the ability to identify opportunities that create meaningful brand impact
  • Experience developing high-visibility partnerships, events, and brand moments that generate conversation and engagement
  • Deep relationships across fashion, lifestyle, retail, and business media
  • Strong experience managing external PR agencies and talent relationships
  • Strategic thinker with strong creative instincts and a forward-thinking mindset
  • Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation communication skills
  • Highly organized with strong project management and executional capabilities
  • Ability to influence and collaborate cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment
  • Passion for storytelling, brand building, and creating culturally relevant work that moves the brand forward

Preferred

    Benefits

    • Health & Well-being - Eligible associates and family members receive medical, dental, prescription and vision insurance, family planning (fertility, adoption & surrogacy support), fitness discounts, medical travel and more.
    • Associate Discount - We love our products just as much as you do! That’s why we offer a great associate discount across all of our brands (J.Crew, J.Crew Factory, and Madewell).
    • Summer Fridays - In addition to our hybrid work model, we also close our office at 1:00 PM every Friday during the Summer months.
    • Community Impact - We support the communities where we live and work through our philanthropic efforts and the J.Crew Cares Program.
    • Winter Break - In addition to our PTO package, J.Crew Group offers a winter break at the end of December to eligible full-time associates at the Home Office to provide time to refresh and recharge.
    Madewell logo

    Madewell

    4.1 Glassdoor

    At Madewell, we believe that great style starts with great design. Since 2006, we’ve been creating premium denim and foundational wardrobe pieces for men and women that balance quality, authenticity, and versatility. From iconic jeans perfected by denim experts to the essential tee, the most versatile shoe, and the timeless leather bag—if it’sMadewell, it’s made well. Our designs are elevated yet effortless, blending classic craftsmanship with modern details and unexpected combinations. We’re inspired by the belief that great denim is forever, foundational pieces can be emotional, and elevated style is for every day. Rooted in denim, we honor the classics while evolving for the moment, offering innovative fits, premium fabrics, and sustainable practices. From world-renowned mills in Italy, Japan, and Turkey to industry-leading Fair Trade production, we ensure exceptional quality at a non-premium price. More than anything, we tell stories—of perfect fits, lived-in washes, and the way clothes become part of life’s most meaningful moments. Our story begins with denim, but it doesn’t stop there. It’s about a commitment to creating pieces that inspire and last a lifetime. Madewell. It’s in our name.

    Founded in 2006
    New York, New York, USA
    2.3K employees (427 in marketing)
    76% recommend to a friend
    87% CEO approval

    Traffic Signals

    Monthly Visitors
    17.5M
    Monthly Google Ads Budget
    $487.8K
    Traffic Source Mix
    Search
    16%
    Direct
    34%
    Referral
    2.6%
    Social
    2.2%
    Paid
    1.2%

    Headcount Trend

    Current headcount: ~2.3K

    Marketing Team

    Marketing Team Size
    211 (9% of company)
    Median Career Experience
    11 years
    Median Tenure
    2.2 years

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