Director, Strategic Communications

About HLK

HLK is a full-service marketing and communications agency based in St. Louis and Chicago. We create work that moves, helping brands grow by bringing together strategy, creative, and media under one roof.

Our culture is shaped by three core values:

Be Curious. Be Brave. Be Thoughtful.

We believe curiosity leads to better questions and better solutions.

We believe bravery pushes work — and people — forward.

And we believe thoughtfulness builds stronger teams and stronger partnerships.

We’re looking for people who want to do meaningful work and grow alongside a collaborative, driven team.

Position Summary

Responsible for leading the Strategic Communications team at HLK and overseeing earned strategy and execution across the agency’s client portfolio. The Strategic Communications Director manages and mentors a team of communications, social media and influencer professionals, ensuring that integrated earned and social strategies are developed and executed with excellence across all client teams.

This role oversees a team across multiple clients, providing leadership, mentorship and strategic direction, and will also serve as the public relations lead for one of the agency’s largest clients, developing and overseeing the earned media strategy and guiding the execution of programs that elevate the client’s brand and support business goals.

In addition to client leadership, this role is responsible for evolving HLK’s communications capabilities, establishing best practices and processes across public relations, social strategy, influencer programs and community management.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior communications lead for a key agency client, developing the overall earned media strategy and guiding the execution of media relations, storytelling and communications initiatives.
• Manage, mentor and develop a team of communications, social media and influencer professionals, providing leadership, coaching and career development while ensuring strong resourcing across client teams.
• Oversee the development and implementation of strategic communications plans including strategy, goals, tactics, timelines and measurement.
• Partner with account, strategy, creative and cx/media teams to identify opportunities where communications can amplify campaign ideas, extend creative concepts and drive greater audience engagement.
• Guide teams in the development and execution of earned media programs including media relations strategy, editorial planning, thought leadership, executive communications and storytelling.
• Provide strategic oversight for social media strategy, influencer partnerships and community management efforts across clients to ensure programs align with broader communications and marketing objectives.
• Review and approve key communications materials including press releases, media pitches, messaging frameworks, content and strategic plans.
• Establish and refine team processes, tools and best practices that improve efficiency, elevate output and strengthen the agency’s capabilities.
• Contribute to agency thought leadership by identifying emerging trends in communications, social media and media relations and sharing insights that help position HLK as a leader in the space.
• Foster strong client relationships and provide senior-level counsel on communications strategy, media relations and reputation management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, marketing or related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of public relations, communications or integrated marketing experience.
• Proven track record designing and executing successful public relations and communications campaigns at both the local and national level.
• Experience leading and managing teams, including hiring, developing and mentoring talent.
• Demonstrated ability to oversee multiple client teams and complex communications programs simultaneously.
• Experience serving as a senior client advisor and leading communications strategy for large or complex client accounts.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong independent decision-making, organization, planning and problem-solving skills.
• Self-motivated and capable of managing multiple simultaneous priorities in a fast-paced agency environment.