Managing Director, Beauty PR

MANAGING DIRECTOR, BEAUTY

The ideal candidate for the position of Managing Director, Beauty & Wellness should have a proven track record of successfully maintaining and strategically growing a PR agency practice. They should be capable of effectively leading a team and driving business development across various services such as media relations, events, affiliate network building, and partnerships, with an understanding of influencer relations (owned and earned). In addition, this candidate must possess the ability to work collaboratively with other departments and practices within BPCM and beyond. This role works alongside BPCM Partners to foster and grow our beauty and wellness client roster.

This role will be a hybrid, with a minimum of 2 days in the office.

CLIENT RELATIONS

• Participate in a client-facing manner for priority clients ensuring the highest touch service possible
• Participate in client calls when necessary and in order to maintain successful client relations and monitor account health
• Foster senior level client relationships that allow for free-flowing feedback between both client and agency team
• Partner with clients to identify areas of opportunity for the team and implement necessary changes and optimizations
• Responsible for communicating to clients BPCM senior team changes (AE + above) and new hire plans to client leadership
• Provide senior level counsel to clients in the areas of beauty-related programs, initiatives and trends
• Actively red flag any foreseeable internal and external issues to Chief of Staff in order to mitigate client risk
• Maintain communication with clients to drive forward their Sustainability and DEI goals, as relevant and according to scope; Working with BPCM’s Chief of Staff and DEI consultant to provide relevant, high level senior level counsel to clients in the areas of Sustainability and DEI related programs, initiatives and issues.
• Provide strategic direction to clients on planning, initiatives, brand positioning and core messaging

MEDIA AND INFLUENCER:

• Strategy deck creation is generally led by the VP and Directors, with potential support from our Strategic Director; Managing Director oversees from a high level and taps into Partners and other Department Heads for creative ideation, when necessary. Managing Director drives forward KPIs, Key Messages and ensures they ladder back to the brand strategy
• Possess strong relationships with top-tier consumer media, business and trade press; contacts outside of beauty media relevant to wellness, health and business are also key
• Leverage media relationships to negotiate client features across print, digital and social channels, partnering with SD for execution
• Awareness of lifestyle, wellness, pop culture trends, editorial calendars and key events and how to effectively apply story angle development for clients that is strategic and timely
• Ensure BPCM’s influencer targeting is per each client’s specific needs, facilitating and participating in briefings when necessary
• From a very high level, oversee planning and execution of PR and influencer events (press/influencer trips, product launches, deskside meetings, store openings, panels, etc.)

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

• Lead the business development of BPCM Beauty & Wellness alongside BPCM Partners, cultivating relationships in the market for new business opportunities
• Maintain a robust new business pipleline ensuring productivity goals are met within the forecast
• Serve as the main contact for all Beauty & Wellness new business opportunities
• Identify areas of opportunity for BPCM across divisions, utilize industry contacts to gather information and make recomendations to Partners and Chief of Staff on how to grow BPCM’s business
• Facilitate “Beauty Braintrust” email distro feedback on all new business opportunities, ensuring team members are in alignment on what to pursue and related fees
• Partner with VP Beauty to project manage new business process ranging from deadline management, capabilities deck to proposal and scope of work development.
• Create in-depth scopes of work for clients, ensuring the bandwidth of the team is preserved
• Negotiate new client fees and SOW structures, ensuring consensus among key internal BPCM stakeholders ranging from Partners to Directors
• Partner with Chief of Staff and BPCM Legal Counsel on MSA and SOW development and edits, project managing it through to completion. (Upwards of 10 SOWs per year and 2-4 MSAs)
• Ensure new business updates are captured in the New Business Tracker

CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS

• Build out the Beauty department’s corp comms capability and service offering with the goal of expanding client roster and business
• Build network of contacts with high profile business media contacts, event bookers etc
• Craft long-term corporate narratives for storytelling purposes, as needed, in partnership with the Strategy Director
• Ensure key subscription access, information sharing and database creation of awards, speaking opportunities, podcasts etc.
• Merchandise previous work in this area via new business pitch decks and case studies of relevant work for new client acquisition

THOUGHT-LEADERSHIP AND PARTNERSHIPS:

• Secure and oversee execution of thought-leadership opportunities for clients spanning speaking engagements, panels and podcasts
• Identify relevant, strategic partnerships for clients; develop relationships with partners in areas of fashion, hospitality, food and beverage, travel, fitness and more
• Consistently tap into the agency’s network for the benefit of Beauty & Wellness clients
• Brainstorm cross-client opportunities with Chief of Staff, Head of Partnerships and other Department Heads

DEPARTMENT HEAD RESPONSIBILITIES:

As the leader of the Beauty & Wellness department, this role sits as part of the senior leadership team of the company. Department Head duties entail operation of the division, ranging from employee development to recruitment

• Effectively lead, manage and mentor senior Beauty & Wellness team members, while maintaining relationships with the junior team members to ensure growth and success within the organization.
• Seamlessly manage and work across BPCM practices and offices, to foster active integration of teams and practices (Fashion, Travel Wine & Spirits, Sustainability, Talent Services, LA) across accounts
• Partner with Chief of Staff, HR and head of Finance to ensure department financial targets are met or exceeded, capturing client updates, salary increases and promotions within the latest forecast model
• Participate in weekly Department Head status meetings, bringing relevant topics to the meeting for discussion and communicate to team, as necessary
• Work with Partners, Chief of Staff and head of Finance on time tracking data and analysis to ensure fees are in line with the work required
• Consistently evaluate current client fees and workload, request fee increases and/or team changes where appropriate
• Partner with VP to implement SOW trackers to be updated by teams to ensure proper staffing to scope of work
• Ensure each client’s strategic plans are KPI-based and goal-driven and that our teams meet or exceed those KPIs and/or goals
• Key Learnings are vital to creating a positive feedback loop with any and all clients as well as determining when to pivot a strategic approach, work with team members to ensure key learnings are delivered regularly and are actionable
• Partner with VP Beauty and HR to lead performance process, talent mapping all team members with measurable goals, areas of opportunity and growth, plans for appropriate staffing across teams, and trajectories inclusive of promotions and salary increases
• Partner with HR for effective and timely recruiting for any and all open roles, cultivating a robust pipeline of candidates for levels ranging from entry level to Director to tap into as the business needs shift

CLIENT INVOICING, BUDGETS AND EXPENSES

• From a high level, ensure the accuracy and proper management of client pre-bills and , in conjunction with account team with a particular focus on any corporate business
• Implement transparent budget tracking process and facilitate BPCM finance reconciliation
• Ensure all projects are either under or on-budget

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of 15 years of experience at a PR agency and/or in house; experience and expertise with Beauty & Wellness brands
• B.A., preferably in related field such as Marketing, PR, Communications and/or Journalism
• Well-established media contacts and connections including a strong knowledge of influencer space within and beyond beauty
• In-depth knowledge of beauty and wellness industry trends, consumer behaviors, and market dynamics
• Successful senior level pitching and feature development spanning beauty, wellness, lifestyle and business
• Strong writing, communication and presentation skills to effectively articulate ideas to clients, agency principals and colleagues
• Demonstrated success in developing media relations and executing effective communication strategies and crisis communication plans.
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills; adept at developing rapport with clients to maintain strong working relationships
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to build, mentor and motivate a team while fostering a diverse, inclusive and supportive working environment for all team members
• Experience working with Fortune 500 or other large corporate clients
• Creative thinker who can actively participate in brainstorming sessions across the agency

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision Benefits
• 401k and additional supplementary benefits
• WFH Stipend
• Summer Fridays
• Generous PTO policy
• Dog-friendly office!