Director, National Media Relations (Contract)

Director, National Media Relations (Contract) As a Director, National Media Relations, you are the agency’s go-to expert for securing top‑tier national coverage for our luxury, hospitality, travel and culinary clients. You are responsible for elevating our award‑winning clients into the pages of the country’s most influential publications through feature stories, profiles, trend pieces and larger narrative opportunities. This is a senior‑level contractor role intended for a highly connected media relations expert with deep relationships in cities such as New York, Los Angeles or other major media markets where national editors, writers and producers are based. You understand what makes a Michelin‑starred restaurant, James Beard Award‑winning chef or luxury hotel stand out to national media, and you know exactly how to position those stories to the right journalist. You have an impressive track record of securing meaningful feature coverage in outlets such as Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Robb Report, Esquire, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Town & Country, Departures, AFAR and similar publications. You are not simply pitching stories. You are cultivating relationships, identifying the right angles, advising the team on how to make a story more compelling, and opening doors that would otherwise be difficult to access. You will work closely with Prim + Co’s leadership and account teams to identify the strongest national story opportunities for our clients, help shape pitch angles and media materials, and directly lead outreach for high‑value placements. This role is ideal for someone who wants flexible, project‑based work while remaining deeply involved in the luxury hospitality, travel and food media landscape. Duties and Responsibilities National Media Strategy + Client Counsel Serve as the lead strategist for national media efforts across a select roster of luxury hospitality, food and beverage, travel and lifestyle clients Identify and shape feature‑worthy story angles for Michelin‑recognized restaurants, James Beard Award winners and nominees, luxury hotels, notable chefs, hospitality groups and experiential brands Advise Prim + Co leadership and account teams on which stories have true national potential and where they should live Create and course correct overarching national media strategies based on client goals, industry trends and media opportunities Help identify when a story is best suited for a long‑lead feature, profile, trend piece, desk‑side, media visit, editor dinner or broadcast opportunity Provide strategic counsel around openings, anniversaries, awards, chef changes, new concepts, renovations, partnerships and larger brand moments Recommend new ideas, hooks and creative approaches to make clients more compelling to top‑tier media Attend client strategy meetings as needed and provide expert guidance and recommendations Travel for client needs, including media tours, desk‑sides, tastings, openings, events and one‑on‑one editor meetings Media Relations Personally lead outreach to national editors, writers, freelancers and producers across food, travel, hospitality, luxury and lifestyle media Maintain and leverage a best‑in‑class network of media relationships, particularly with contacts at Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, AFAR, Robb Report, Town & Country, Esquire, Forbes Travel Guide, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and similar publications Secure meaningful feature placements, trend inclusions, profiles, list placements, roundups and larger narrative stories for clients Develop and execute tailored, big‑picture pitches that go beyond standard product or announcement news Identify unexpected and creative media targets and story angles that can elevate clients beyond the obvious outlets Facilitate and attend editor dinners, tastings, media previews, hotel stays, one‑on‑one meetings and press trips when warranted Advise on and help coordinate desk‑side meetings and in‑market visits with key national editors and writers Collaborate with Prim + Co teams on media lists, pitch language, timing and follow‑up strategy Provide feedback and coaching to account teams to strengthen their national pitching skills and storytelling abilities Stay current on editorial calendars, long‑lead opportunities, emerging writers and changes within the media landscape Help the team understand what makes a story feel nationally relevant versus locally interesting Business Development + Agency Leadership Serve as a thought leader and specialist within the agency for luxury hospitality, travel and culinary media relations Participate in new business conversations, proposals and presentations when a national media strategy component is needed Help identify how national media relations can expand existing client scopes or support new opportunities Advise on positioning, media strategy and storytelling for prospective clients Bring fresh relationships, ideas and opportunities to Prim + Co that strengthen the agency’s reputation and capabilities Act as a tastemaker and agency expert in the luxury hospitality and culinary space Work closely with Prim + Co account teams while functioning as a contractor and specialist resource Provide guidance, feedback and mentorship to account teams around national media strategy and outreach Share best practices, media intelligence and lessons learned from successful placements Collaborate remotely and efficiently with internal teams while maintaining strong communication and responsiveness Help the agency continue to evolve its national media strategy and relationships over time Other And other tasks, projects or duties as required Experience College degree or comparable experience required At least 10–15 years of public relations, journalism or related experience within the hospitality, culinary, travel, luxury hotel and/or consumer lifestyle industries Must have extensive, proven experience securing national feature coverage for Michelin‑starred or Michelin‑recognized restaurants, James Beard Award winners and nominees, luxury hotels and hospitality brands Must have direct relationships with national editors, writers and freelance contributors at top‑tier publications Experience living and/or working in a major media market such as New York, Los Angeles or Chicago strongly preferred Agency experience preferred Must have stellar client and media references Must have exceptional strategic thinking, storytelling and relationship‑building skills Must have strong experience working with luxury brands, restaurants, chefs, hotels and experiential concepts Experience with media visits, press trips, editor dinners and national long‑lead strategy 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