Sr. PR Specialist

At Western Digital, our vision is to power global innovation and push the boundaries of technology to make what you thought was once impossible, possible.

At our core, Western Digital is a company of problem solvers. People achieve extraordinary things given the right technology. For decades, we’ve been doing just that. Our technology helped people put a man on the moon.

We are a key partner to some of the largest and highest growth organizations in the world. From energizing the most competitive gaming platforms, to enabling systems to make cities safer and cars smarter and more connected, to powering the data centers behind many of the world’s biggest companies and public cloud, Western Digital is fueling a brighter, smarter future.

Binge-watch any shows, use social media or shop online lately? You’ll find Western Digital supporting the storage infrastructure behind many of these platforms. And, that flash memory card that captures and preserves your most precious moments? That’s us, too.

We offer an expansive portfolio of technologies, storage devices and platforms for business and consumers alike. Our data-centric solutions are comprised of the Western Digital®, SanDisk® and WD® brands.

Today’s exceptional challenges require your unique skills. It’s You & Western Digital. Together, we’re the next BIG thing in data.

The Western Digital Corporate Marketing/Strategic Communications team is looking for an experienced, passionate, technology-focused PR Manager to join our global team. The ideal candidate will bring enthusiasm and a solid background in consumer product and B2B PR/communications. Specifically looking for someone with a range of tech experience that includes developing effective strategies for industries including gaming, PC/OEM technology, security, surveillance and automotive.   In this role, you will be responsible for driving product communications with an emphasis on PR strategy and planning for the company’s industry-leading technologies and products.

Through storytelling, trend pitching, product reviews, partner collaborations and more, this role offers a great opportunity to work as part of a collaborative global team that is focused on driving awareness for Western Digital’s broad range of solutions targeting B2B and B2C audiences. Must be a team player who is adaptable and a confident communicator.  You will report to the Director of Strategic Communications. 

Responsibilities

• Drives the PR strategy for Western Digital technologies and solutions, including business and consumer segments.
• Closely collaborates with product marketing, product management and social media teams to align on business goals, content and campaigns.
• Writes and edits press releases, media alerts, storylines/pitches, internal communications, contributed/sponsored articles, online communications and other related documents.
• Partners with global PR teams to manage PR events and activities.
• Possesses and maintains strong relationships with tech and consumer media and beat reporters at top tier media outlets.
• Manages outside agencies to execute PR programs.
• Manages inbound media inquiries, creates media opportunities, and works with public relations agencies to earn favorable stories in the press.
• Maintains/manages distribution of product seeding/samples for North American press.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with 8+ years of related experience in public relations; PR agency experience a must.
• Expertise in B2B/B2C product PR with strong media skills and established industry relationships.
• Ability to lead media strategy/PR campaigns for new technology and products.
• Experience with proactive and/or seasonal pitch campaigns, sponsored articles, and product reviews.
• Agency management experience.

Western Digital is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants and employees and will not discriminate based on their race, color, ancestry, religion (including religious dress and grooming standards), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), gender (including a person’s gender identity, gender expression, and gender-related appearance and behavior, whether or not stereotypically associated with the person’s assigned sex at birth), age, national origin, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital status (including domestic partnership status), physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, protected medical and family care leave, Civil Air Patrol status, military and veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. We also prohibit harassment of any individual on any of the characteristics listed above. Our non-discrimination policy applies to all aspects of employment. We comply with the laws and regulations set forth in the Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law poster.

Western Digital thrives on the power and potential of diversity. As a global company, we believe the most effective way to embrace the diversity of our customers and communities is to mirror it from within. We believe the fusion of various perspectives results in the best outcomes for our employees, our company, our customers, and the world around us. We are committed to an inclusive environment where every individual can thrive through a sense of belonging, respect and contribution.

Western Digital is committed to offering opportunities to applicants with disabilities and ensuring all candidates can successfully navigate our careers website and our hiring process. Please contact us at jobs.accommodations@wdc.com to advise us of your accommodation request. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.

Based on our experience, we anticipate this job will close on or before 07/18/2024. If we have not closed our search by this date, we will update this posting with a new anticipated close date.

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Compensation & Benefits Details

• An employee’s pay position within the salary range may be based on several factors including but not limited to (1) relevant education; qualifications; certifications; and experience; (2) skills, ability, knowledge of the job; (3) performance, contribution and results; (4) geographic location; (5) shift; (6) internal and external equity; and (7) business and organizational needs.
• The salary range is what we believe to be the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting.  We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and this range is only applicable for jobs to be performed in California, Colorado, New York or remote jobs that can be performed in California, Colorado and New York.  This range may be modified in the future.
• You will be eligible to participate in Western Digital’s Short-Term Incentive (STI) Plan, which provides incentive awards based on Company and individual performance.  Depending on your role and your performance, you may be eligible to participate in our annual Long-Term Incentive (LTI) program, which consists of restricted stock units (RSUs) or cash equivalents, pursuant to the terms of the LTI plan. Please note that not all roles are eligible to participate in the LTI program, and not all roles are eligible for equity under the LTI plan. RSU awards are also available to eligible new hires, subject to Western Digital’s Standard Terms and Conditions for Restricted Stock Unit Awards.
• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid vacation time; paid sick leave; medical/dental/vision insurance; life, accident and disability insurance; tax-advantaged flexible spending and health savings accounts; employee assistance program; other voluntary benefit programs such as supplemental life and AD&D, legal plan, pet insurance, critical illness, accident and hospital indemnity; tuition reimbursement; transit; the Applause Program, employee stock purchase plan, and the Western Digital Savings 401(k) Plan.
• Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.