Sr. Manager, Brand Communications

Job Summary

The Senior Manager, Brand Communications supports the execution of the global brand communications strategy, translating the vision into high-impact programs across public relations, storytelling, experiences, and partner management. This role is responsible for leading day-to-day brand communications initiatives, managing key agencies and internal partners, and ensuring consistent, compelling brand narratives across markets and channels.

With strong expertise in public relations, campaign storytelling, partner strategy, and issues management, the Senior Manager plays a critical role in elevating brand awareness, strengthening consumer engagement, and protecting brand reputation. This role partners closely with cross-functional teams to deliver integrated communications that drive measurable brand and business impact.

Essential Functions

Description

• Leads execution of global press and communications programs across priority categories, including media relations, brand activations, experiential programs, and partnerships, ensuring alignment to overarching brand strategy.
• Partners cross-functionally with Brand Marketing, Social, Product, Creative, KEEN Effect, and regional teams to deliver integrated global campaigns.
• Identifies opportunities for new partnerships, cultural moments, and experiential initiatives that support global brand growth.
• Leads global experiential, activation, and event strategies tied to key brand moments, cultural tentpoles, and product launches.
• Manages relationships with global PR, experiential, and creative agencies and partners to ensure aligned objectives and effective execution.
• Defines and maintains global communication narratives that support brand positioning, product innovation, sustainability initiatives, and cultural relevance.
• Provides strategic frameworks and best practices to regional teams to ensure global consistency with local market impact.
• Manages budgets, timelines, and resources for global press and experiential initiatives.
• Measures and reports on performance, including earned media results, event effectiveness, and brand engagement.
• Manages and develops internal team members and external partners to ensure high performance and professional development.

Please note this job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without cause.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, or related field required.
• Minimum six (6) years experience in brand marketing or communications.

Any equivalent combination of experience and education which clearly indicates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position may substitute on a year for year basis.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to translate business objectives into impactful communication strategies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience in media relations, content creation, and storytelling.
• Strong project management skills, with experience handling multiple high-priority projects simultaneously.
• Expertise in crisis communications and brand reputation management.
• Proficiency in digital marketing and social media trends.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships at all levels of the organization.
• Creative, innovative, and solution-oriented.
• Detail-oriented with a strong commitment to quality and consistency.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage complex situations with a calm and strategic approach.
• Interest in Outdoor / Running / Lifestyle Fashion is a plus

Travel Required: Yes, up to 25% of the time.

Base Salary: $136,260 - $143,830

This range represents the low and high ends of this position's anticipated base salary range. The actual base salary will depend on numerous factors such as experience, knowledge, skills, and location. Our base salary is just one component of our competitive total rewards strategy, which includes numerous benefits and perks as well as specific health and welfare benefits.

Why Work at KEEN:  Driven by a passion for life outside, KEEN is a values-led, independently owned brand from Portland, Oregon, that’s on a mission to create original and versatile products, improve lives, and inspire outside adventure. Founded in 2003, KEEN launched a revolution in the footwear industry with the introduction of the Newport adventure sandal and has donated more than $18 million to non-profit organizations and causes around the world to promote responsible outdoor recreation, including conservation efforts to protect open spaces. KEEN strives to show the world through its products and its actions that a business for good can actually be good for business. By giving back, reducing impact, and activating communities and individuals to protect the places where we work and play, KEEN puts its values in motion and takes action to leave the world a better place.  

Fuerst Group, KEEN, and Chrome are equal opportunity employers.  We value an inclusive and diverse community. Qualified candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply and will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.