Job Description

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About the role
The Director of Brand Marketing and PR will lead the strategic vision and execution of public relations and brand marketing initiatives for Mark and Graham, a fast-growing lifestyle brand focused on travel, accessories, and home goods. You'll drive brand partnerships, influencer collaborations, media placements, and compelling storytelling that showcase the brand's unique position in the market. This role is ideal for a creative, resourceful leader who thrives in a collaborative, scrappy environment and can wear multiple hats while building the brand's visibility and reach.
What you'll be doing

• Drive strategic public relations and brand marketing initiatives for Mark and Graham, developing compelling brand narratives and maintaining consistent messaging across all channels.
• Build and cultivate high-value relationships with influencers, celebrities, and media partners; identify and negotiate partnership opportunities that align with brand positioning and drive engagement.
• Develop partnership themes and concepts, including seasonal campaigns, sweepstakes, and collaborations (approximately quarterly) with luxury travel, lifestyle, and media partners to expand brand reach and customer acquisition.
• Manage content ideation and storytelling strategy in close collaboration with the creative team and internal stakeholders, identifying the right partners and platforms to authentically communicate brand stories.
• Lead influencer outreach and talent partnerships, identifying emerging creators and established personalities who resonate with the Mark and Graham customer and can authentically showcase products in travel and lifestyle contexts.
• Coordinate with retained PR agency on media relations and earned media opportunities, serving as the primary point of contact for all PR communications and ensuring alignment with brand strategy.
• Work closely with the design and merchandising teams to understand products and market positioning, translating insights into compelling marketing and partnership angles.
• Manage daily partnership communications, negotiations, and problem resolution with external partners and stakeholders, ensuring smooth execution and satisfaction.
• Oversee support staff and collaborate with a content manager (reporting through the creative team) to ensure seamless execution of campaigns and initiatives across all channels.
• Stay informed on market trends, competitor activities, and social media landscape (Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest) to continuously inform strategy and identify emerging partnership opportunities.

What we're looking for

• Proven expertise in leading brand marketing and PR initiatives, ideally within lifestyle, fashion, or consumer goods sectors with digital-first strategies.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills with strong experience cultivating partnerships with influencers, celebrity talent, and media contacts at all levels.
• Natural connector with the ability to identify and leverage partnerships that authentically align with brand values and drive meaningful business results.
• Strong leadership experience managing a small, collaborative team with a hands-on approach to mentorship and performance management.
• Deep understanding of modern social platforms including Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest, with the ability to think strategically about content and storytelling across channels.
• Creative thinker who can develop compelling narratives and identify unique partnership opportunities that differentiate the brand in the marketplace.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of articulating brand vision both internally with cross-functional teams and externally with partners, media, and influencers.
• Resourceful and entrepreneurial mindset, comfortable working in a scrappy, fast-moving environment where you drive ideas and execution directly.
• Strategic partner who can work closely with design, merchandising, and creative teams to align brand vision and bring marketing initiatives to life.
• Resilient and adaptable, thriving in a growing, collaborative culture that values innovation and relationship-building over rigid processes.

What you'll need

• Proven experience in public relations and brand marketing, preferably at a senior level within the retail, consumer goods, or lifestyle industry.
• Strong track record of building and nurturing relationships with influencers, celebrities, and media contacts to drive brand awareness and engagement.
• Excellent negotiation skills with demonstrated success in structuring and closing partnership deals and media placements.
• Exceptional ability to identify and cultivate strategic relationships with external partners, influencers, and media outlets.
• Experience in a collaborative leadership environment, comfortable working closely with cross-functional teams including creative, design, and merchandising.
• Deep understanding of social media platforms (Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, etc.) and digital marketing trends, with the ability to leverage them strategically for brand storytelling.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a polished, professional presence suitable for engaging high-profile partners and media.
• Creative thinker with the ability to conceptualize and execute compelling brand stories, campaigns, and partnership initiatives.
• Experience managing PR and marketing initiatives, including media relations, press coverage, sweepstakes, and partnership execution.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, collaborative, entrepreneurial environment where agility and creativity are essential.
• Background or strong interest in fashion, accessories, or travel categories is a plus.
• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or a related field.
• Willingness to be hands-on and adaptable in a growing organization with a startup mentality.

What we offer

• A director-level leadership role within a dynamic, fast-growing brand that's scaling 10-15% year-over-year growth.
• The opportunity to shape the brand strategy and creative direction for Mark and Graham, a distinctive lifestyle brand focused on fashion-forward travel, bags, and accessories.
• Direct partnership with senior leadership and close collaboration with the broader team, with significant influence on brand partnerships, influencer relationships, and storytelling initiatives.
• A highly collaborative, entrepreneurial work environment where you'll have autonomy to drive strategy while working within a lean, scrappy team of approximately 25-30 people across the brand.
• The chance to build and lead influencer campaigns, celebrity talent partnerships, and brand collaborations that position Mark and Graham as a premium lifestyle destination.
• Direct involvement in creative decision-making, from identifying emerging creators and influencers to conceptualizing content and partnerships that resonate with the brand's fashion-conscious audience.
• A supportive team structure with dedicated support resources, including a PR agency partner and marketing team members focused on content and brand storytelling.
• A company culture that prioritizes creativity, relationship-building, and collaborative problem-solving, with opportunities to grow alongside a rapidly scaling brand.

WSI will not now or in the future commence an immigration case or "sponsor" an individual for this position (for example, H-1B or other employment-based immigration).
This role is not eligible for relocation assistance.
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, or other applicable state or local laws and ordinances.
The expected starting pay range for this position is $150,000 - $175,000. Applicable pay ranges may differ across markets. Actual pay will be determined based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. In addition to competitive pay, compensation may include a variety of other components like benefits, paid time off, merit, and bonus opportunities.
About Us: Our Company
Founded in 1956, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the premier specialty retailer of high-quality products for the kitchen and home in the United States. Our family of brands are Williams Sonoma, Williams Sonoma Home, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, Rejuvenation, West Elm, Mark & Graham, Outward, and GreenRow. These brands are among the best known and most respected in the industry. We offer beautifully-designed, stylish and functional products for every area of the home, including the kitchen, living room, bedroom, home office, closet, laundry room and even outdoor spaces. We've seen some big changes since our first brick-and-mortar store opened more than half of a century ago. What hasn't changed is our passion for high-quality products, functional design, outstanding customer service, and enhancing the lives of our customers and the communities where we operate. Today, we're a multi-brand, multi-channel, global enterprise supported by state-of-the-art technology and some of the most talented teams in retailing - and we're always looking for new energy and ideas.

Skills Required