Director, Media & Relations

About this role

About AppDirect

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.

What You'll Do

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 opps) 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…