Head of Public & Media Relations

Business Function: Public Relations

Location (Secondary): Irvine Office--LOC_WDT_USCA01

Company Description WD is building the infrastructure behind the AI-driven data economy.

As AI scales, so does data. Every interaction, every model, every system generates data that must be stored, managed, and made accessible over time. We combine deep engineering expertise with global-scale manufacturing to deliver the storage systems that make AI possible, powering hyperscale data centers, cloud platforms, and enterprise infrastructure worldwide.

Join us and let’s shape the future of data.

Job Description In this role, you will join WD’s public relations function at a defining moment. With WD forming the storage foundation of the AI-driven data economy, how the company is covered — in the press, in trade publications, in podcast conversations, and across digital media — shapes perception with customers, partners, investors, and talent alike. This role is responsible for building and executing a proactive, narrative-driven technology PR program that cuts through the noise of a crowded enterprise tech landscape and establishes WD as an essential voice in the AI infrastructure conversation.

You will serve as the primary interface between WD's executive team and the media ecosystem — from top-tier technology press to influential trade outlets and emerging digital voices — and will be responsible for both the strategy and the day-to-day execution that keeps WD's story in front of the right audiences at the right moments.

Develop and own WD's global tech PR strategy, including narrative architecture, message platform, and a proactive story calendar that aligns with product launches, executive thought leadership, industry events, and broader market moments in AI, cloud, and data infrastructure

Serve as the primary relationship owner for WD's important media contacts — across top-tier technology press and trade publications — building trusted, ongoing relationships that go beyond reactive pitching to genuine editorial partnership

Lead all aspects of media relations, including proactive story development and pitching, press release writing and distribution, embargo management, exclusive placements, and rapid response to breaking news or competitive developments

Direct external PR agency relationships, including setting priorities, reviewing deliverables, and holding agency teams accountable to measurable outcomes

Partner with executive communications to develop and place thought leadership content — op-eds, bylines, contributed articles, and speaking opportunities — that positions WD's senior leaders as credible, distinctive voices in the AI infrastructure conversation

Develop and execute launch PR strategies for major product announcements, and partnerships— coordinating across Product Marketing, Product, Legal, and IR to ensure launches land with maximum impact and consistent messaging

Build and manage a proactive executive visibility program, identifying and securing opportunities for WD leaders in podcasts, panels, keynotes, media roundtables, and industry awards programs that reinforce strategic positioning

Monitor the media landscape continuously, tracking coverage broader industry narratives, synthesizing insights that inform executive decision-making and help the team stay ahead of emerging story angles

Collaborate with Corporate and International PR teams, Analyst Relations, and content marketing to ensure PR outputs are amplified across owned and earned channels, and that third-party media coverage is integrated into broader campaign and sales enablement strategies

Support the PR measurement framework, tracking share of voice, tier-one media placements, sentiment trends, message pull-through rates, and the downstream impact of coverage on web traffic, pipeline, and brand perception

Qualifications 12+ years of experience in technology PR, with a meaningful portion spent in-house at a global enterprise technology company

Deep existing relationships with technology media that can be activated immediately upon joining

Experience working with global PR agency teams, with a clear point of view on how to structure agency relationships for maximum strategic leverage and accountability

Strong executive communications background, including experience counseling C-suite leaders on media strategy, message development, and interview preparation

Fluency in the AI infrastructure, cloud, and data storage landscape, with enough technical depth to engage credibly with reporters, and subject matter experts

Experience working cross-functionally in a matrixed enterprise environment, with a track record of building strong relationships across Corporate and Channel Marketing, Product, Legal, and Investor Relations

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a portfolio of work that demonstrates range from sharp press releases and media pitches to polished executive bylines

Familiarity with PR measurement tools and methodologies, including media monitoring, share of voice analysis, and the ability to connect PR outcomes to business metrics

Willingness to take risks

Experience at a leading brand a plus

Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field; Additional Information WD is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants and employees and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on their race, color, ancestry, religion (including religious dress and grooming standards), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), gender (including a person’s gender identity, gender expression, and gender-related appearance and behavior, whether or not stereotypically associated with the person’s assigned sex at birth), age, national origin, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital status (including domestic partnership status), physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, protected medical and family care leave, Civil Air Patrol status, military and veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Our non-discrimination policy applies to all aspects of employment. Our pay transparency policy is available here .

WD thrives on the power and potential of diversity. As a global company, we believe the most effective way to embrace the diversity of our customers and communities is to mirror it from within. We believe the fusion of various perspectives results in the best outcomes for our employees, our company, our customers, and the world around us. WD is committed to offering opportunities to applicants with disabilities and ensuring all candidates can successfully navigate our careers website and our hiring process. Based on our experience, we anticipate that the application deadline will be 12.4.2026 (3 months from posting), although we reserve the right to close the application process sooner if we hire an applicant for this position before the application deadline. If we are not able to hire someone from this role before the application deadline, we will update this posting with a new anticipated application deadline.

#3) performance, contribution and results; (5) shift; (6) internal and external equity; We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and this range is only applicable for jobs to be performed in California, Colorado, New Yorkor remote jobs that can be performed in California, Colorado and New York. If your position is non-exempt, you are eligible for overtime pay pursuant to company policy and applicable laws. You may also be eligible for shift differential pay, depending on the shift to which you are assigned.

You will be eligible to be considered for bonuses under either WD’s Short Term Incentive Plan (“STI Plan”) or theSales Incentive Plan (“SIP”) which provides incentive awards based on Company and individual performance, depending on your role and your performance. You may be eligible to participate in our annual Long-Term Incentive (LTI) program, which consists of restricted stock units (RSUs) or cash equivalents, pursuant to the terms of the LTI plan. Please note that not all roles are eligible to participate in the LTI program, and not all roles are eligible for equity under the LTI plan. RSU awards are also available to eligible new hires, subject to WD's Standard Terms and Conditions for Restricted Stock Unit Awards.

medical/dental/vision insurance; life, accident and disability insurance; tax-advantaged flexible spending and health savings accounts; employee assistance program; other voluntary benefit programs such as supplemental life and AD&D, legal plan, pet insurance, critical illness, accident and hospital indemnity; tuition reimbursement; employee stock purchase plan; The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.

Should you encounter any such requests, please report it immediately toWD Ethics Helpline or email [emailprotected] .

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