VP, Public Relations

VP of Public Relations, Ask.com

Ask.com is a diverse environment focused on innovation, collaboration and passion. We reward our employees competitively, take time to recognize high-achievers, and encourage and support career growth and educational opportunities. Ask.coms employees have the opportunity to make a large impact and be very visible across the organization.


Ask.com seeks to hire the best and the brightest. Positions at all levels are available at various locations including California, New Jersey, New York, China, England, Ireland, Italy and Spain.


Summary Description:

Ask.com, a division of IAC Search & Media and one of todays leading search engines, is looking for a seasoned professional to manage the public relations initiatives of the division. The division includes Ask.coms US and global sites and Bloglines. The position reports to the SVP of Corporate Communications with a dotted line to the General Manager of Ask.com.


The VP of Public Relations for Ask.com will have global responsibility for driving all aspects of public relations, including strategic planning, media relations, message development, reputation management, speaking and analyst relations. The candidate will serve as strategic counsel and business partner to the senior management of the Ask.com division.


He/she will be instrumental in driving awareness and shaping the reputation of the Ask.com brands to drive trial and help the company achieve its business objectives. Importantly, the VP of PR for Ask.com, will leverage their knowledge of both the communications discipline and a passion for the industry to assure that the company has a proactive external communications approach to positively influence perceptions. The VP will have the personal style to work effectively in this company, which can be characterized by an entrepreneurial orientation, a bias for action and a creatively driven work force.


Responsibilities:


Setting the global external communications strategy for the company in coordination and collaboration with the sr. management team. This will be accomplished by developing a keen understanding of the industry, business goals and strategies of both the division and the parent company (IAC/InterActiveCorp.)

Serving as trusted advisor, sounding board and business partner to the senior management of the division, functioning as the expert on communications issues in the context of the current media environment and perceptions of the industry and its key players

Acting as a company spokesperson

Managing an effective team of global public relations professionals, assuring competent staff and agencies are retained, developed and/or hired

Utilizing experience with the newer communications outlets, such as forums and blogs, to help reach the divisions business objectives

Developing and overseeing the execution of PR programs designed to drive awareness among the search, technology and consumer audiences

Developing strong, ongoing relationships with key press

Reputation/issues management

Working back with the internal communications manager to drive awareness of the divisions initiatives and products internally

Actively managing the Ask.com PR budget




Requirements:

Qualifications:


Functional expertise: Strong PR experience with a minimum 12+ years in public relations, including holding positions as the key driver of strategic PR initiatives with proven bottom-line results. The candidate should have demonstrated understanding of the newer communications mediums, such as forums and blogs, and utilized them effectively in previous communications programs

Industry experience: While direct search experience is ideal, the individual must have experience with Internet and consumer brands. Experience in a public company characterized by a fast-paced environment required

International orientation:Proven ability to manage global PR programs.

Strategic thinker: The candidate will have shown an ability to contribute at both a strategic and operational level. The candidate should have a proven capacity for out-of-the-box creative thinking as well as strong analytical skills

Effective manager: Experience managing a PR agency and working within a global communications organization. A voracious get-it-done attitude as well as the ability to thrive and motivate a team under pressure

Strong written and verbal communication skills: Demonstrated ability to represent the company in print and broadcast mediums. Proven ability to quickly establish trust and credibility of internal and external clients

Strong intellect. Bright individual, who clearly combines analytical reasoning, creativity, conceptual ability and judgment. Quick study, able to handle complex matters, with multiple initiatives going on simultaneously. Able to deal effectively with strategic issues, as well as the tactical, operational details.

Strong interpersonal skills: Personable with high integrity and can quickly engender peoples trust. Capable of building relationships and influencing the opinions of others. Someone who is sought out for their opinions and counsel and who can forge and maintain close relationships across internal and external teams and members of the media.

Results-driven: An energetic, resourceful and hands-on individuals with a strong service orientation, someone who commits himself/herself fully to the job and who is dedicated to developing and delivering outstanding work. Focused on continuing improvements to the organization in striving for excellence. Enjoys working in a roll up your sleeves environment

A bachelors degree in communications, journalism, PR or related field



As the 7th largest global web property (ComScore Media Metrix, October 2005), Ask.com, Inc. delivers world-class information retrieval products through a diverse portfolio of Web sites, portals and downloadable applications. Ask.com search and search-based portal brands include: Ask.com (Ask.com, Ask.co.uk and es.Ask.com), the Ask.com Japan joint venture (Ask.jp), Ask.com Kids (AskforKids.com), Bloglines (bloglines.com), Excite (excite.com), iWon (iwon.com), My Way (myway.com) and Fun Web Products (funwebproducts.com). Additionally, Ask.com owns differentiated search technology, as well as natural language processing, portal and ad-serving technologies. Ask.com generates revenue from advertisers seeking to reach the company's broad-based online audience. Founded in 1996, Ask.com became a wholly-owned business of IAC/InterActiveCorp (NASDAQ: IACI) in July, 2005. Its headquarters are located in Oakland, California, with offices throughout the United States, as well as in Europe and Asia.






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