Director, Public Relations & Publicity - Series

Job Description

Sesame Workshop is looking for a Director, Public Relations & Publicity - Series. The Director, PR and Publicity, will serve as the lead publicist for Sesame Street, the longest-running and most highly awarded children's television show in history. This includes conceiving of and executing PR campaigns for new seasons of Sesame Street as well as spin-offs like Sesame Street Mecha Builders and other content produced by Sesame Workshop including Bea's Block, Charlotte's Web, Helpsters, and additional other new projects.

The Director is responsible for developing an integrated plan to inform and inspire multiple audiences including the press, fans of all ages, and partners. This person will cultivate relationships with broadcast, print, and digital press outlets to place impactful features about Sesame Street and other content that, in aggregate, contribute to the narrative that Sesame Workshop is an innovative, creative, and globally relevant nonprofit organization. A cornerstone of this role is using Sesame's beloved media properties as powerful vehicles to elevate the organization and its mission to help children everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder.

This position reports to the Vice President, PR and Publicity.

Key Responsibilities
• Develop and implement comprehensive communications plans for new seasons of Sesame Street, Sesame Street Mecha Builders, Bea's Block, Helpsters, original YouTube content, and other projects as assigned. This includes devising a big-picture strategy as well as executing detailed plans: drafting messaging, pitches, and press releases; and overseeing the creation of press kits.
• Execute press appearances for Sesame Street characters: booking talent, overseeing talent logistics, managing scriptwriting and hiring scriptwriters when needed, managing on-site technical provisions, and executing production to create fun and engaging content for media partners.
• Draft and coordinate approval of press releases and talking points for a wide range of announcements.
• Oversee press attendance at Sesame Workshop's Annual Benefit Dinner, helping to manage red carpet and Muppet interviews.
• Work collaboratively with the MarComms team to identify the best outreach strategies and ensure that efforts to promote our work are integrated.
• Serve as liaison between the MarComms team and Sesame Workshop's Creative and Production teams.
• Work with and manage PR agency.

Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• 8 years of public relations/communications experience, including excellent thought leadership, strategic, analytical, and forward-planning skills
• Expertise in and passion for pop culture and media trends, social media fluency, ability to integrate social media initiatives with external channels
• Excellent writing skills and strong editorial sensibility, capable of prioritizing and distilling information to achieve maximum impact with messaging
• Established rolodex of media contacts and reporters
• Extensive production and budgeting experience, ideally with broadcast
• Relationship builder with well-developed people skills: an ability to collaborate and work well with others coupled with a strong proactive instinct to problem-solve
• Action-oriented, hardworking, and energetic; comfortable fielding time-sensitive incoming press inquiries
• Multi-tasker with excellent organizational skills who can pay close attention to detail
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally with executives and talent to promote Sesame Workshop's initiatives

Equal Opportunity Employer/Minorities/Females/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-d8mzw6-18-222-10-9-42 in your application.