Senior Director, Thought Leadership (Brand Reputation)

Department: Brand Reputation

Location: New York

Compensation: $130,000 - $155,000 / year

Description

Looking for something fresh?
Day One Agency is hiring.

Day One is a creative agency committed to bringing fresh thinking to our work. Every. Single. Day. For us, every day is day one, a new opportunity to start from the beginning, find a new angle, and let our creativity and curiosity lead us to earn the unexpected.

We’ve built a reputation as a creative partner tuned for navigating culture today; helping brands build legacy through relevance. We’re looking to expand our team with a new Senior Director, Brand Reputation. You’ll become part of an award winning collective of cultural insiders* and industry outsiders**, all of whom are storytellers at heart.

Below you’ll find some specifics about the role. At Day One, the job description is truly just the start. Our best team members are enthusiasts who opt-in and bring something to the party.

Ready to join a team that's been on Fast Company's Most Innovative list for three years running, made the Ad-Age A-List and been named Agency to Watch 2025, and took home Campaign AOY in 2025 and PR Week Midsize AOY 4 years in row (2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026)?

Keep reading.

This position is full-time, requires a hybrid work schedule, and is only available in NYC.

Responsibilities

We’re looking to add an entrepreneurial, high-impact leader to our growing team who will play a central role in advancing the agency’s thought leadership, corporate storytelling, and executive communications offering. This person will lead priority executive and “corpsumer” accounts while driving key internal and external initiatives that elevate the agency’s voice and market presence.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned communications strategist with experience advising senior executives, building corporate narratives, and delivering measurable earned media results. They are a confident operator who can lead complex workstreams, manage teams, and translate business priorities into compelling communications programs.

• Serve as a strategic advisor to senior-level clients, aligning communications initiatives with broader business objectives
• Develop differentiated corporate narratives and executive platforms that drive visibility and credibility
• Lead end-to-end earned media strategy, from story development and pitching through media engagement and amplification
• Counsel and prepare C-suite executives for high-visibility moments, including media interviews and major announcements
• Navigate high-stakes financial communications, including earnings, M&A, and IPO-related messaging for investors, analysts, and business media
• Build and maintain strong relationships with corporate, business, broadcast, and tech media
• Shape messaging and communications plans tailored to each client’s category, competitive landscape, and growth priorities
• Provide clear strategic POVs informed by trends shaping the future of news, media, and executive visibility
• Lead account operations, including team oversight, budget management, and third-party vendor coordination
• Mentor and develop agency talent, fostering high standards of performance and collaboration
• Contribute to new business strategy and presentations, helping expand the agency’s executive communications portfolio
• Develop high-quality strategic plans, decks, and written materials for both client and agency initiatives
• Drive innovation within the practice, bringing fresh ideas and forward-looking approaches to corporate storytelling
  
  

* TREND FORECASTERS, WRITERS, PRODUCERS, PEOPLE PERSONS, DIGITAL NATIVES, CULTURE HEADS, INTERNET ARCHAEOLOGISTS, MEME HISTORIANS

**** ORGANIZERS, GLOBETROTTERS, DROPOUTS, SKATE SHOP ALUMNI, FORMER BARISTAS, SELF-TAUGHT DEVS, INDIE PUBLISHERS, FINE ARTISTS, SMALL-TOWN ESCAPEES



Qualifications

• 8 years of experience
• Bachelor's Degree
• Prior PR agency experience; integrated communications strategy; specialization in thought leadership; strong writing and narrative development skills; expertise in executive comms (owned and earned)
• Experience leading and mentoring a diverse team
• Strong media relations skills and contacts
• Collaborate, multi-task and work efficiently with precise attention to detail
• Deliver an impactful and compelling presentation
• Possess a passion for storytelling and excitement to collaborate in a fast-paced team environment
• Be extremely self-motivated, organized and reliable
• Exhibit an entrepreneurial spirit and enjoy building a team from the ground up and creating new systems, policies and company culture
  
  

Compensation Benefits


We value all of our employees and are happy to provide comprehensive benefits to help support them holistically in the best way we can. We offer all our employees:

• Health Care (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• Paid Time Off and Company Paid Holidays
• Summer Fridays
• 401K Retirement Plan with Company Match
• Lifestyle Spending Account
• Paid Parental Leave
• Commuter Benefits
• New Business Referral Bonus
• Employee Referral Bonus
  
  

The Company is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The base compensation range for this role is $130,000 - $155,000 and this position is eligible for benefits that include medical insurance (health, dental, and vision), retirement plan, paid time off, paid parental leave, new business and employee referral bonuses, etc. Please note that the compensation information provided is a good faith estimate for New York City based hires only and is provided pursuant to the New York City Pay Transparency Law. Final compensation for this role will be determined by various factors such as candidates' relevant work experience, skills, qualifications, and location.