Catalyst Brands LLC is hiring: Director, Brand Public Relations in New York

This range is provided by Catalyst Brands LLC. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$160,000.00/yr - $200,000.00/yr

Established in 2025, Catalyst Brands is a diverse portfolio some of the most legendary American brands in the apparel industry. This includes: Aeropostale, Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer, Lucky Jeans, Nautica, and JCPenney.

This is a unique opportunity to join a newly formed and experienced team as we boldly redefine quality, value and style. If you thrive in a fast-paced, creative, and entrepreneurial environment and are ready to disrupt the retail industry with compelling storytelling and innovative PR strategies, this is your chance to make a lasting impact.

Position Overview

Catalyst Brands is seeking a dynamic and highly strategic Director of Brand PR to lead our public relations initiatives and help drive forward the cultural narrative for each of our brands.

Reporting to the VP of Communication, Experiential and Philanthropy, the ideal candidate is a seasoned integrated communications professional with a proven track record in fashion and retail marketing, expert-level creative storytelling, and experience working with top-tier agencies. They are a cultural trendsetter who thrives in fast-paced environments and understands how to bridge brand communications with corporate reputation.

Key Responsibilities

• Brand PR Leadership: Lead the development and execution of innovative PR campaigns that position each brand as a leader in their space.
• Storytelling & Messaging: Craft compelling narratives that drive emotional connections with our customers.
• Campaign Execution: Spearhead nationwide product launches, designer collaborations, entertainment integrations, and collection reveals to generate buzz and excitement around the brands.
• Media relationships: Develop and maintain relationships with editors and journalists to ensure the brand receives ongoing coverage for its products and initiatives
• Agency Partnership: Serve as the day-to-day liaison with world-class PR agencies, ensuring the development of disruptive, earned-first creative programs that deliver measurable results.
• Integrated Marketing Collaboration: Partner with internal marketing teams (creative, social, influencer, paid media) to ensure cohesive and innovative execution of integrated campaigns.
• Trendsetting & Cultural Relevance: Conduct daily “trend-mining” to identify cultural moments and trends that JCPenney can leverage to stay relevant and top-of-mind.
• Reputation Management: Collaborate with corporate communications to seamlessly align brand-building initiatives with executive thought leadership and reputation management strategies.
• Measurement & Insights: Establish KPIs for PR campaigns, track performance, and continuously optimize strategies based on data and insights.

Qualifications

• 12-15+ years of experience in fashion, retail, or lifestyle public relations, with a VP or SVP equivalent role in an agency setting.
• Proven expertise in communications strategy as part of an integrated marketing mix, with a strong portfolio of culturally impactful campaigns for fashion or retail brands.
• Exceptional storyteller and writer with the ability to craft authentic, humanized corporate narratives that resonate across audiences and platforms.
• Deep understanding of the retail landscape and each brand’s role in that space
• Experience leading large-scale product launches, collaborations, and media integrations.
• Strong relationships with media, influencers, talent managers, and cultural tastemakers in the fashion and retail industries.
• Creative thinker with a knack for identifying and capitalizing on cultural trends and moments.
• Collaborative leader with experience working across brands, integrated teams and external agencies.
• Entrepreneurial mentality, with a passion for redefining perceptions and taking bold risks.

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to position offered and work experience. In addition to your salary, Catalyst Brands offers a benefits package, including health care (medical, prescription, dental, vision), company paid life insurance and long term disability, 401(k) plan with company match, paid time off programs starting with minimum 15-days based on role, overtime pay (if hourly), flexible work schedule, and a generous employee discount program (all benefits are based on eligibility). Additional information regarding the benefits for this position can be found here: https://sparcbenefits.com/Candidate-Benefits-Highlights

Reasonable Accommodation

The Company is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to enable qualified employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their jobs as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Catalyst Brands is an equal opportunity employer. We value a culture of inclusion and diversity within our workforce, and are committed to maintaining a workplace free from prohibited employment conduct, including discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, domestic partner status, civil partnership, status as a covered veteran, status in the Uniformed Services of the United States, citizenship and any other characteristic protected by law (“Protected Characteristics”).

Physical Requirements

• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards.
• Ability to maintain regular and timely attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards.
• Ability to remain in a stationary position for up to 8 hours per day
• Ability to constantly operate a computer, other office equipment and look at a monitor for up to 8 hours per day
• Ability to clearly and accurately communicate and exchange information verbally, in writing, or through other means in person, telephonically, or through virtual communication methods
• Ability to reach at or below shoulder level
• Ability to carry equipment, move boxes/samples, etc.