Director, Media & Relations

Become a digital, global citizen and enable the new generation of digital entrepreneurs around the world. AppDirect offers a subscription commerce platform to sell any product, through any channel, on any device—as a service. We power millions of subscriptions worldwide for organizations. We do this by our values-driven culture—one that enables you to Be Seen, Be Yourself, and Do Your Best Work.

About the role

This is a high-impact, high-visibility role for a senior PR professional who wants to own the media narrative for a growing company. As Media Relations Director, you'll shape and execute our earned media strategy, working directly with executives to land stories in top-tier business and technology outlets. We're looking for someone with deep journalist relationships, sharp instincts, and the ability to turn company moments into compelling coverage. If you want a seat at the table—not a seat at an agency—this is it.

Responsibilities

• Media Relations Strategy & Execution
  • Own the full media relations function end-to-end—strategy through execution
  • Develop and drive a proactive, calendar-driven PR program aligned with product launches, company milestones, and brand priorities
  • Identify and pursue compelling story angles that resonate with journalists and align with business goals
  • Pitch relentlessly—leverage your relationships to secure placements in tier-1 outlets (WSJ, Forbes, TechCrunch, Bloomberg, NYT, Fast Company, etc.) and top industry trades
  • Manage inbound media inquiries with speed and sound judgment
  • Write and produce all media materials: press releases, pitches, media alerts, bylines, op-eds, briefing docs, talking points, and Q&As
  • Brief and prep executives for interviews; provide real-time support during media engagements
  • Monitor news cycles and identify rapid-response opportunities to insert our POV into relevant conversations
• Media Relations
  • Maintain and grow a robust network of journalist relationships across business, tech, and trade media
  • Be the kind of PR pro who can pick up the phone and get a reporter's attention—not just send cold emails
  • Track journalist beats, interests, and coverage patterns to personalize outreach and increase hit rates
  • Build trust with reporters through transparency, reliability, and delivering quality stories
• Analyst Relations Support
  • Partner with our analyst relations contractor to coordinate messaging and briefings with firms like Gartner, Forrester, and IDC
  • Align media narratives with analyst positioning and ensure consistency across external audiences
  • Support analyst report cycles and inquiries as needed
• Thought Leadership & Executive Visibility
  • Develop and pitch thought leadership content (bylines, op-eds, podcast appearances, speaking opportunities) to elevate executive profiles
  • Position our leaders as credible voices on industry trends, innovation, and company mission
  • Ghostwrite or heavily support executive content for external publication
• Measurement & Reporting
  • Track and report on media coverage quality, volume, sentiment, and share of voice vs. competitors
  • Provide regular updates to leadership on PR program performance and media landscape insights
  • Use media monitoring tools to stay ahead of relevant news and competitive activity
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner closely with Product Marketing, Content, Demand Gen, and Executive Comms to align messaging
  • Work with Legal and HR on sensitive communications when needed
  • Collaborate with events and campaigns teams to maximize PR around key moments
• AI Integration & Media Evolution
  • Leverage AI tools and platforms to augment daily workflows, media research, content creation, and real-time monitoring, enhancing overall operational efficiency
  • Proactively analyze the evolving media landscape through the ever-evolving AI lens, understanding its impact on reporting, discovery, and audience engagement
  • Develop and implement forward-thinking PR strategies that capitalize on AI-driven changes, ensuring our media relations efforts remain innovative and effective in achieving organizational goals

Requirements

• 10+ years in PR/media relations, ideally a mix of agency and in-house experience
• Real, working relationships with reporters at major business and tech outlets (e.g., TechCrunch, WSJ, Forbes, relevant industry trades). You don't just pitch—you get replies
• Ability to do it all: write tight copy, craft compelling pitches, manage multiple priorities, and deliver results
• Background in B2B tech, SaaS, or enterprise software strongly preferred
• Native news instincts. You know what makes a story, how to frame it, and when to strike
• Comfortable working directly with C-suite; able to prep, coach, and support execs in media moments
• Self-starter: You thrive with autonomy and high accountability
• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Exceptional writing and editing abilities—press releases, pitches, bylines, talking points
• Experience with analyst relations a plus, but not required—you'll learn our program
• Proficiency with media databases (Cision, Muck Rack, etc.), monitoring tools, and Google Workspace

Benefits

In addition to base pay, regular employees may be eligible for performance-based bonuses and a full range of benefits.

Pay

California Pay Transparency: $170,000—$200,000 USD