Senior PR Specialist (6-month contract)

KAYAK, part of Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG), is a leading travel search engine. With billions of queries across our platforms, we help people find their perfect flight, stay, rental car and vacation package. We're also transforming business travel with a new corporate travel solution, KAYAK for Business. As an employee of KAYAK, you will be part of a travel company that operates a portfolio of global metasearch brands including momondo, Cheapflights and HotelsCombined, among others. From start-up to industry leader, innovation is in our DNA and every employee has an opportunity to make their mark. Our focus is on building the best travel search engine to make it easier for everyone to experience the world. We're looking for a Senior PR Specialist (6-month contract) to join KAYAK's North America Communications team — a collaborative group that shapes how the world understands travel trends through data-driven storytelling and earned media. In this role, you'll bridge the gap between data and narrative, turning travel search insights into coverage that positions KAYAK as a trusted, authoritative voice in the industry. This role is required to work from our Norwalk, CT office 3 days per week. In this role, you will: - Analyze travel search data to uncover timely, newsworthy insights and identify trends that matter to journalists and audiences - Translate data findings into compelling press materials — including pitches, press releases, media briefs, and executive talking points - Develop proactive media opportunities around travel trends, seasonal moments, and breaking news - Build and maintain strong relationships with business, consumer, travel, and technology media - Collaborate with KAYAK's data team to shape research, validate findings, and bring data-driven campaigns to life - Identify timely opportunities and develop creative, data-backed rapid-response campaigns that keep the brand relevant in the news cycle - Measure campaign performance using PR analytics tools and apply findings to inform future strategies - Help manage external agency relationships and collaborate with marketing, analytics, and global communications teams - Support multiple campaigns simultaneously from insight development through earned media results - Contribute to monthly PR performance reporting, distilling results and trends into clear, actionable insights for the broader team Please apply if you have: - 5 or more years of experience in consumer and/or B2B public relations, with a demonstrated track record of developing data-driven earned media campaigns (equivalent experience, training, or transferable skills considered) - Strong analytical skills — comfortable interpreting data, identifying patterns, and surfacing stories others might overlook - Proficiency with tools such as Excel, Google Sheets, or data dashboards to independently explore trends and validate story angles - Excellent written and verbal communication skills - Experience developing and executing PR campaigns with a high degree of independence - A demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong media relationships - A consistent track record of securing meaningful, high-quality media coverage - In-depth understanding of existing and emerging social platforms (experience in both traditional and digital PR tactics utilizing social media is a plus!) Benefits and Perks - Generous paid vacation + time off for your birthday - Company-wide week off a year - the whole team fully recharges (and returns without a pile-up of work!) - Access to thousands of on-demand e-learnings - Travel Discounts - Employee Resource Groups - Free lunch 2 days per week - Monthly social events, Thursday happy hours Inclusion At KAYAK, we want everyone to have the space to grow, share ideas and do great work. That's why we're focused on hiring the best talent from all walks of life and experiences, supporting them well and making sure no one feels like they have to fit a mold to belong here. Need any adjustments for the interview, application or on the job? No problem – just give us a heads-up. We've got you. #LI-EI1