The No. 29 is seeking a Director for our fashion and lifestyle team. In this role, you are responsible for managing client initiatives and supporting the project team to meet the goals of each client. At every stage of a project, you ensure clients and media are being presented with work of the highest caliber. This requires having and maintaining contacts at top-tier outlets as well as tastemaker, influencer, substack, and stylist relationships. Part of your role will be working alongside your fellow Directors to develop creative strategies to engage press and secure coverage around the clients’ key initiatives. Additionally, this means contributing to and executing on thought leadership and event strategies.

The position requires a candidate who is an effective communicator, both with clients and the internal team. This means not only delivering coverage, but developing strategy behind the scenes. Having your finger on the pulse of an ever-changing national media, PR, social media, events, substack, and general communications landscape is a must—as is attending events and being engaged with the fashion landscape.

In addition to very strong foundational PR experience and writing skills, you must be regularly in touch with media contacts and be ready to build new relationships. These contacts should include reporters, editors, market editors, stylists, relevant influencers/ tastemakers, and aligned brands for potential partnerships.

In this role, you also will manage team members, delegate work across the team, and serve as the subject matter expert. As a manager of others, you are responsible for providing performance feedback and coaching. Working in close collaboration with the leadership team, you will provide the support and resources necessary to help team members excel in their respective roles.

What You'll Do

• Lead client accounts, which includes developing and overseeing their respective PR strategies—and working with the internal team to land meaningful client coverage
• Foster strong relationships with clients through effective communication and exceptional service
• Run meetings, delivering presentations, and providing insights, recommendations, and strong client management. Consistently craft compelling pitches and garner meaningful media coverage for clients
• Manage existing media relationships and consistently build new relationships, while seeking out new outlets, avenues for amplification, etc.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to clients, understanding their business goals and contributing to long-term PR strategies
• Conceptualize activations, events, and partnerships that loan to press coverage and amplification
• Attend events for our own clients as well as events that are relevant to our work
• Communicate roles, timelines and deliverables, while ensuring the team is on track to meet the client’s expectations and needs
• Collaborate with the project team to keep everything on track and ensure seamless project delivery
• Stay in close communication with the client, providing updates on key initiatives, pitching efforts, etc.
• Continually think about how to add value to your accounts and regularly assess whether the strategies and plans are working. Utilize creative thinking to propose solutions for meeting goals and/or supporting clients in new ways
• Manage team members by providing them with regular performance feedback and coaching on their work product so they can deliver client-ready deliverables and meet the expectations of their role
• Plan and lead/travel on press trips as needed
• Manage press-facing events, with support from the extended team including our production arm

Who You Are

• You demonstrate resourcefulness amid ambiguity, and propose potential solutions and approaches for projects, even when the challenge or opportunity is unclear. You're able to operate with limited information, which means asking clients the right questions and guiding them towards potential solutions (gathering more data and/or feedback in order to refine the strategy and/or fill in the concrete information).
• You drive the execution of pitching outreach, product seeding, planning high-impact events, press trips, and activations.
• Support leadership on crisis communications when client crises arise.
• You’re the subject matter expert and offer guidance and support to more junior members. You read the news (in many forms) daily to stay up-to-date with client industry trends and PR best practices. Moreover, you recognize gaps in your knowledge and bring issues to management while pursuing continual education so your expertise stays current and relevant.
• You define and communicate project roles, outcomes and timelines to the project team. As "Air Traffic Control, " you are adept at delegating and ensuring the work is moving forward on schedule, even if you're not the final sign-off. You anticipate issues and roadblocks and create contingency plans. You know when to ask for help and utilize support from others or escalate issues up as needed.
• You build trust and relationships through your ability to fully listen, reflect, and respond to others around you. You're adept at thinking on your feet, whether with clients or your team, recognizing when a situation needs more direction or refinement (and avoid working in isolation). You involve others for feedback, acknowledging your blind spots and leveraging multiple perspectives to create something that is greater than the sum of its parts.
• You're able to lead client calls confidently and effectively, guiding the conversation with energy and excitement. While you may not have all the answers, you effectively run through the agenda, prompting Directors to weigh in as needed. You play the role of a confident PR professional, keeping calls on track, remembering key details, and engaging in conversational and meaningful dialogue.
• You bring extensive contacts and strategic thinking, and are willing and eager to staff and attend events, from press previews to dinners and media breakfasts.
• You are comfortable and confident in public settings that require speaking with press, and know how to facilitate introductions at events between clients and media/influencers.

• 8-10 years of experience in PR strategy, with a proven track record of success in managing complex PR initiatives.
• Ability to showcase specific strategic results you have driven for product/ collection launches, collaborations, and activations (including press trips and press previews)
• Experience managing accounts within your division
• Experience working at an agency
• Have and maintain close relationships with stylists and fashion & lifestyle editors and journalists in New York, as well as in the national landscape
• Experience leading events, such as press previews and dinners
• Experience working with celebrities and influencers
• Bachelor's degree in relevant field (preferred)
• Based in NYC

Bonus Points

• Experience working with non-profits, foundations, and/or social and environmental justice initiatives, having contacts in the space.
• Knowledge and/or previous experience in the sustainability space or lifestyle spaces.

Position Details

This is a full-time position based in our New York City office, with a hybrid work setting (three days in the office per week). Travel may be required; previous travel for our clients includes Los Angeles, Mexico City, Ghana, Iceland, Vancouver, Copenhagen and Paris.

We offer a competitive salary along with opportunities for commission and comprehensive benefits, perks, and opportunities for professional development. Our culture values collaboration, creativity, and a passion for excellence. A salary band will be provided upon the submission of a resume and cover letter.

About Us

The No. 29 was the first agency to focus exclusively on sustainability and social impact, and works with some of the most recognizable brands in the space (VEJA, Rothy’s, Chava Studio, Baserange, Lindquist, Esha Soni, Oddobody, Mini Rodini, MZ Wallace, Cubitts, Circ, Unspun, M.M. LaFleur, The Or Foundation, and more). With teams in New York, Paris, and Denver, The No. 29 was founded on the belief that we can elevate positive change with thoughtful storytelling, strategic partnerships, and meaningful activations.

The brands and people we represent challenge the status quo, and we ensure the work stands out. Whether a heritage brand founded with sustainability at their core or the launch of new innovators in the space, our team is experts at identifying thoughtful storytelling opportunities, delivering coverage, building brand awareness and community.

Ready To Apply?

If you’re excited about the prospect of leading PR initiatives for a dynamic agency and possess the qualifications and experience outlined above, we’d love to hear from you. Please submit your resume and cover letter.

No. 29 is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.