The Senior Account Executive is seasoned in media relations, the client go-to, and is starting to work on account strategy when not flawlessly executing a FAM or Media Mission. S/he plays a crucial role in not just delivering big hits, features, and profile stories for clients, but also begins taking a bigger role in helping Account Leads manage the team and leading in-person client-facing interactions. At this stage, the ideal person has solid media relationships in place (in both regional and national markets), meets with media regularly, and is constantly concepting pitch angles based on sound research to get media engaged and excited. In this role, the ideal candidate will take proactive ownership, overseeing the strategy for media relations focused tasks, looking at accounts holistically to understand what is needed, and then jumping in for team members at all levels to help / alleviate where needed.
Duties and Responsibilities
Account + Client Management:
-Day to day client go-to
-Lead portions of client calls
-May lead smaller accounts with senior leadership oversight
-Assist with strategy, planning, implementation and evaluation of PR activities
-Creative brainstorming, program and pitch development
-Build relationships with destinations, CVBs and offices of tourism in the markets that serve your clients
Media Relations:
-Have a wide range of go-to media contacts making you (and your clients) look like a star as you secure top tier national press and features
-Proactive media relations (pitching, organizing media/influencer visits, reviewing & approving media lists) is very much the focus of your day to day
-Regularly dig into newspapers, magazines, network and cable news shows, blogs, digital pieces to find new angles, new editors and new contributors to create new relationships
-Organize pitch priorities; assign and oversee progress of pitches to team members with support of account leadership
-Regularly coordinate in-person media meetings with journalists on location
-Secure and host media and influencers on press trips, media appointments and events
Team Leadership:
-Oversee the workflow of junior team members
-Begin to plan 90 Day and Annual plans to impact client goals and KPI’s
-Regularly lead the junior team through projects to make check marks against goals and KPI’s
Industry/JPR:
-Confidently secure meetings with relevant brands who may impact your clients’ goals
-Look to be part of organisations where you are networking and creating unique connections
-Seek out opportunities for learning by attending conferences, workshops and events on behalf of the agency
-College Degree or comparable experience required
-At least 3-5 years of public relations experience in travel, hospitality, tourism, culinary restaurant and/or consumer lifestyle arenas, either having worked in an agency or in-house position
-Must have stellar hotel, restaurant and media references
-Must have strong and proven relationships with local, regional and national media contacts
-Excellent computer skills, including Word, Excel and Powerpoint in a Microsoft Windows environment
-Excellent oral and written communication skills
-Excellent interpersonal skills, experience in a hospitality environment is a plus
-Excellent time management and organizational skills
-Must be able to identify and resolve problems in a timely manner
-Strong knowledge of media and news cycles
-Ability to thrive in a deadline-driven environment
-Strong understanding of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
-Strong understanding of Influencer relations and engagement
-Polished and professional demeanor
Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK.
