Vice President, Earned Media
- Location
- Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Work mode
- On-site
- Employment type
- Full-time
About the job
Zeno Group is the fiercely independent and global, integrated communications agency, born from PR. We bring together the boldest and brightest talent to help clients across industries and sectors unleash the power of strategic communications. Guided by our "Fearless Pursuit of the Unexpected," we push the boundaries to achieve real business value and societal impact for clients. Winner of the industry’s most coveted awards including the 2024 PRWeek U.S. Outstanding Large Agency of the Year, 2023 PRWeek Purpose Agency of the Year, 2022 PRWeek Global Agency of the Year, 2022 PRovoke Best Large Agency to Work For in North America and a three-time winner of PRWeek’s Best Places to Work. Zeno has also been previously recognized by the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Zeno is a DJE Holdings Company.
Job Description:
Vice President, Earned Media
Do you have a passion for uncovering stories that capture attention and shape conversations? Are you energized by building media relationships, identifying compelling news opportunities and helping organizations earn visibility and credibility with the audiences that matter?
As a Vice President, Earned Media at Zeno, you will lead earned media strategies and programs for a diverse portfolio of clients. Working closely with senior clients, journalists and integrated account teams, you will develop compelling narratives, secure meaningful coverage and help organizations navigate an evolving media landscape.
This is an opportunity for an experienced earned media leader to counsel clients, shape high-impact storytelling, mentor talent and help strengthen Zeno's earned media capabilities across the agency.
About the Role:
- Earned Media Strategy & Leadership: Develop and lead earned media strategies that connect client business priorities, reputation objectives and timely news opportunities to deliver meaningful coverage and impact.
- Media Relations & Coverage Generation: Leverage established relationships with national business, financial, broadcast and mainstream media to secure high-profile coverage, executive interviews and compelling storytelling opportunities.
- Story Development & News Judgment: Identify and shape media-worthy narratives, translating business priorities, industry developments and emerging trends into stories that resonate with journalists and their audiences.
- Executive Visibility & Strategic Counsel: Serve as a trusted advisor to clients and executives, providing media counsel, identifying opportunities and guiding spokesperson positioning and high-profile media engagements.
- Media Intelligence & Industry Expertise: Monitor the evolving news cycle, media platforms and audience behaviors to identify emerging opportunities, anticipate challenges and inform proactive media strategies.
- Integrated Communications & Collaboration: Partner across Corporate Affairs, Brand, Digital, Creative and other disciplines to integrate earned media thinking into broader communications programs.
- Team Leadership & Capability Development: Mentor and develop team members while sharing media expertise, best practices and industry insights that strengthen earned media capabilities across the agency.
- Business Growth & Agency Leadership: Contribute earned media expertise to new business pitches, identify opportunities to expand client programs and help advance Zeno's earned media thought leadership.
About You:
- 10+ years of experience in earned media, media relations, public relations or related fields within an agency or in-house communications environment.
- Proven success developing and leading earned media strategies that support business, reputation and communications objectives.
- Established relationships with national business, financial, broadcast and mainstream media, with a strong track record of securing meaningful coverage.
- Experience developing compelling story angles, media pitches and executive positioning strategies that resonate with journalists and audiences.
- Strong news judgment with the ability to identify timely opportunities and provide thoughtful recommendations in an evolving media environment.
- Demonstrated success counseling senior clients and executives on media strategy, storytelling and high-profile communications opportunities.
- Exceptional writing, editing and presentation skills, including experience developing strategic recommendations and leading client presentations.
- Strong understanding of traditional, digital and emerging media and how the evolving landscape influences earned communications.
- Experience collaborating across integrated account teams and communications disciplines.
- Experience mentoring, coaching and developing junior team members.
- Strong organizational and project management skills with experience overseeing multiple client priorities and media workstreams.
- Collaborative and adaptable leadership style with curiosity about news, culture and the future of earned media.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience leading earned media programs for corporate, financial services, technology or consumer clients.
- Experience developing executive visibility, thought leadership or reputation management programs.
- Experience contributing to new business pitches, organic client growth or agency thought leadership.
- Familiarity with AI-enabled media intelligence, search and emerging technologies shaping how audiences discover and engage with news.
Pay Range: $115,000 - $160,000 USD/yr.
This is a national salary range and an employee's pay position within the range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: geographic location, relevant qualifications, related experience, specialist expertise and seniority. The range listed is just one component of DJEH's total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include health and welfare benefits, generous paid time off programs and bonus opportunities.
About Our Benefits Healthy, happy employees make Zeno better, so we have programs that support physical, mental and financial wellness. Our culture and benefits are designed to promote flexibility, celebrate diversity and support work/life balance. We offer a variety of medical, dental and vision insurance with prescription plans, as well as short and long-term disability. Our Be Kind to Your Mind program focuses on mental health, providing a paid subscription to Headspace and access to mental health providers and other services through a best-in-class employee assistance program. Employees are encouraged to bring their authentic self to Zeno and participate in our employee resource groups which build communities for sharing and support. And while we love our work, we believe in the restorative power of time off with generous vacation, paid holidays and self-care time. Employees are supported in their pursuit of financial wellness with a 401(k) plan, pretax flexible spending accounts, tuition assistance, life insurance and free access to a certified financial coach. And our unique ZenoFit program provides a monthly allowance to fund activities in your personal life that bring you joy and keep you healthy. These and other benefits are available to non-temporary employees in the US.
Zeno Group, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees. Employment decisions are made on the basis of job-related criteria without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, genetic information, national origin, disability, military, or veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law. We invite all applicants to voluntarily self-identify their race, ethnicity, and gender. Submission of the information on this form is strictly voluntary and refusal to provide it will not subject you to any adverse treatment. Information obtained will be retained in a confidential file and separate from personnel records. This information may only be used in accordance with the provision of applicable federal laws, executive orders, and regulations. If you want more information about any of the sections, please check with a company representative.
From ZN001 Zeno US's careers page (Workday), checked 2 Nov 2026.
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Posted 2 Nov 2026 · checked 2 Nov 2026 · Report this job