External Communications Manager at Barkley

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Not SpecifiedCompensation

Mid-level (3 to 4 years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Advertising, Marketing, Public RelationsIndustries

Requirements

3–5 years in PR, communications, or journalism (agency or in-house; experience in advertising/marketing trade media a strong plus)
A love for the advertising/marketing world, especially indie agencies that do things differently
Killer writing and editing skills, plus the instincts of a great storyteller
Comfort talking to reporters, awards contacts, and event organizers
Hyper-organized but quick on your feet: you can manage five things at once without dropping any
Curious, proactive, and always thinking about what’s next

Responsibilities

Live in the trades. Know what’s trending, and where BarkleyOKRP should show up next
Hunt down story ideas from inside the agency, write sharp pitches, and help get them placed in top ad/marketing outlets, business press, and podcasts
Build genuine relationships with reporters, editors, and podcast hosts (not just send them press releases)
Help craft and place thought leadership, including op-eds and bylines, with agency leaders
Prep execs with media briefs, bios, and smart talking points
Track and report on PR and thought leadership results to help inform strategy
Monitor industry and cultural trends to flag potential risks or opportunities for leadership
Research, track, and draft submissions for industry awards and recognition programs
Help draft and manage speaker proposals for agency leadership at major conferences and events
Collaborate with the agency's Marketing Communications team to amplify awards, panels, and the talent behind them
Coordinate logistics and provide behind-the-scenes support for events, including executive preparation, schedules, materials, and day-of execution
Help grow and elevate executives’ presence on LinkedIn
Draft, edit, and publish executive social content that aligns with our brand voice, amplifies thought leadership, and engages the right audiences
Source and shape content ideas from internal updates, media coverage, events, and cultural moments
Track engagement and performance to refine content approach and report back to executives

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Media RelationsThought LeadershipPress ReleasesPitch WritingJournalist RelationshipsOp-EdsMedia BriefsPR TrackingAwards SubmissionsSpeaker ProposalsEvent CoordinationLinkedIn ContentSocial Media ManagementIndustry Trend Monitoring

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What experience is required for the External Communications Manager role?

You need 3–5 years in PR, communications, or journalism, with agency or in-house experience, and experience in advertising/marketing trade media is a strong plus.

What key skills are needed for this position?

The role requires killer writing and editing skills, the instincts of a great storyteller, comfort talking to reporters and contacts, and being hyper-organized yet quick on your feet.

What is the salary for this role?

This information is not specified in the job description.

Is this a remote position or does it require office work?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What does BarkleyOKRP value in its company culture?

BarkleyOKRP is committed to being radically diverse and inclusive, believing it is key to becoming one of the world’s great creative idea companies by embracing what makes partners unique.

Barkley

Full-service marketing and advertising agency

About Barkley

Barkley is a marketing and advertising agency focused on creating modern brands that appeal to today's consumers. The agency works across various sectors, including consumer goods, finance, healthcare, non-profit, restaurant, retail, and travel, serving clients from large corporations to retail and hospitality brands. Barkley offers a wide range of marketing solutions, including advertising, communication, product innovation, media strategy, and talent management. By utilizing deep consumer insights, they develop campaigns that resonate with audiences and keep brands relevant. Their services include experience design, digital platform optimization, influencer activations, and creative campaign development, allowing them to support clients in achieving their business goals, whether launching new products or enhancing consumer engagement. Barkley's unique combination of creativity and data-driven insights sets them apart from competitors, ensuring they stay ahead of market trends.

Kansas City, MissouriHeadquarters

1964Year Founded

$5.1MTotal Funding

MERGERCompany Stage

Consulting, Consumer Software, Consumer GoodsIndustries

501-1,000Employees

Benefits

Health Insurance

Life Insurance

Unlimited Paid Time Off

401(k) Retirement Plan

Risks

Rapid acquisitions may lead to integration challenges and cultural clashes within Barkley.

The merger with OKRP could result in operational inefficiencies and client conflicts.

Investment from a Chicago firm may lead to strategic shifts disrupting current operations.

Differentiation

Barkley is one of the largest independent, employee-owned advertising agencies in the U.S.

The agency combines creativity with data-driven insights for modern consumer engagement.

Barkley's integrated marketing approach spans multiple industries, ensuring brand relevance.

Upsides

Barkley's acquisition of Adlucent enhances its performance media and MarTech capabilities.

The merger with OKRP creates one of the largest independent marketing firms in the U.S.

Barkley's focus on ESG aligns with growing consumer demand for sustainable brands.

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