Director, Field Publicity & Promotions - Focus Features

Company Description

NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our global theme park destinations, consumer products, and experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through our powerhouse film and television studios, including Universal Pictures, DreamWorks Animation, and Focus Features, and the four global television studios under the Universal Studio Group banner, and operate industry-leading theme parks and experiences around the world through Universal Destinations & Experiences, including Universal Orlando Resort, home to Universal Epic Universe, and Universal Studios Hollywood. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. Visit www.nbcuniversal.com for more information.

Our impact is rooted in improving the communities where our employees, customers, and audiences live and work. We have a rich tradition of giving back and ensuring our employees have the opportunity to serve their communities. We champion an inclusive culture and strive to attract and develop a talented workforce to create and deliver a wide range of content reflecting our world.

Job Description

Focus Features is seeking a strategic, creative, passionate, and highly collaborative publicist to lead field publicity and promotional efforts as a critical part of the film team.  This role partners closely with cross-functional stakeholders to develop and execute integrated regional campaigns that drive awareness and engagement. The Director will be responsible for identifying market opportunities, shaping regional publicity and promotional strategies, and executing creative, impactful activations that support overall campaign objectives. This includes overseeing press outreach, promotional partnerships, grassroots programs, word of mouth screenings, talent appearances as part of PA tours, regional festival efforts and experiential engagements. The ideal candidate possesses deep knowledge of regional media landscapes, strong industry relationships, exceptional organizational and project management skills, and a passion for independent and specialty film.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute integrated regional publicity and promotional campaigns in partnership with the film publicity team lead and cross-functional stakeholders, including grassroots initiatives, in-market partnerships, word-of-mouth activations + experiences including screening programs, PA tours, festival activity.
• Identify campaign extensions that reach specialized audiences including but not limited to Faith, LGBTQIA+ and Multicultural communities, and other key audience segments aligned with film-specific strategies.
• Lead the creation and production of promotional campaign materials in collaboration with Brand Marketing and Partnerships teams to ensure alignment with overall film strategy and creative direction.
• Serve as the primary liaison for field publicity and promotional agencies, providing strategic direction, communicating campaign priorities, overseeing execution, and approving promotional initiatives, screenings, advertising materials, and agency recommendations.
• Oversee promotional activities across assigned markets, including securing radio, television, print, digital, retail, and community-based partnerships; managing promotional screenings; and supervising screening logistics and staffing.
• Plan and execute regional press days, talent appearances, and promotional tours, including schedule development, talent liaison, travel coordination, vendor management, and on-site event oversight.
• Identify, negotiate, and execute grassroots and community-based marketing initiatives that drive audience engagement and support campaign objectives.
• Lead regional publicity efforts by cultivating relationships with local media, coordinating participation in press junkets and promotional tours, facilitating interview opportunities, distributing publicity materials, and securing coverage across broadcast, print, radio, and digital platforms.
• Oversee planning and execution of promotional tours and radio interview programs, including scheduling, logistics, travel coordination, and talent support.
• Monitor and track regional media coverage, compile daily publicity updates, and provide insights and recommendations to internal stakeholders.
• Manage promotional partnerships and maintain accurate tracking of confirmed and prospective media, promotional, and marketing partners.
• Compile and distribute campaign performance reports, including screening summaries, promotional recaps, media results, and final campaign analyses for studio leadership.
• Review and summarize opening-day reviews and notable coverage across designated regional markets.
• Participate in campaign brainstorms and strategic planning discussions to develop innovative publicity and promotional opportunities across the Focus Features slate.
• Review and approve agency and vendor invoices while ensuring adherence to budget guidelines and financial processes.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in publicity including direct experience in film publicity
• Must have prior experience working with agencies and talent representatives
• Must have strong working relationships with journalists, talent representatives and guilds
• Must have prior experience organizing and executing events and premieres
• Strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills to address senior executives, filmmakers and talent
• Must be able to work extended hours and travel where required

Desired Characteristics:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant experience
• Motivated and passionate professional who can multi-task in a fast-paced environment
• Strong organizational and planning skills and ability to pay attention to details under deadline pressure
• Ability to communicate effectively and diplomatically with talent, senior executives and peers
• Must be a team player who is able to work in an open and collaborative environment
• Genuine love of film and pop culture is a plus

Additional Requirements: 

Hybrid: This position currently has a hybrid schedule, which requires contributing from the office a minimum of four days per week. The Company reserves the right to change in-office requirements at any time.

This position is eligible for company sponsored benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and a variety of other discounts and perks. Learn more about the benefits offered by NBCUniversal by visiting the Benefits page of the Careers website. Salary range: $120,000 - $150,000 (bonus and long-term incentive eligible)

Additional Information

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

NBCUniversal will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories, or arrest or conviction records, in a manner consistent with relevant legal requirements, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative For Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, where applicable.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to AccessibilitySupport@nbcuni.com.