Account Supervisor

Account Supervisor

Kada Recruiting is partnering with a public relations agency with offices in Chicago and Milwaukee, recruiting a seasoned Account Supervisor to join their team. They are a leading firm specializing in PR and strategic communication across diverse industries, including retail, manufacturing, real estate, CPG, healthcare, education, finance, and more. The team is committed to delivering impactful solutions and fostering positive brand narratives for our clients. They are made up of first-rate media, content and digital communications professionals who create and execute internal and external communications programs from business marketing to corporate communications. From cyber breaches to labor negotiations, they guide and support companies during troubled times and help them navigate challenges and risks in an ever-changing world.

A successful Account Supervisor will have a proven track record in public relations, including expertise in media relations, impactful writing, brand storytelling, client counsel, internal communications and social media strategies. Account Supervisors are responsible for supporting all aspects of client account work and are responsible for developing initial draft communications strategies and materials, directing individual workstreams of broader client work, coaching/developing more junior staff, and supporting crisis management efforts.

Key Responsibilities:

• Client Account Work: Play a lead day-to-day role in planning and executing all facets of work for clients.
• Generate and proactively deliver novel and high-impact creative counsel to achieve client goals.
• Develop communication frameworks, plans, messages, and materials (with support from Senior Account Executives, Account Executives, Assistant Account Executives, and Interns as appropriate).
• Review and provide constructive input on written materials produced by team members to ensure the highest quality work product (e.g., press releases, award entries, biographies).
• Lead and/or support the execution of various media relations, social media, and events.
• Pitch high-level media outlets and cultivate relationships with target media/reporters, including local and national business media and trade media (print, broadcast, and online).
• Provide guidance to team members while coordinating the daily/tactical elements of client account work.
• Independently and proactively source and provide account team leads with new ideas/opportunities.
• Develop and nurture productive client relationships.
• Regularly and efficiently update account team leads (and when necessary, the Senior Management Team) about the status of ongoing client account work, including ensuring they are informed prior to client calls/meetings.
• Provide support, as needed, in managing issues/crises. This includes drafting communications materials addressing issues/crises and potentially managing junior staff on media/social media monitoring.
• Oversee annual and monthly budget review and planning for numerous clients
• Agency and Staff Development/Management: Mentor junior staff by providing candid, timely, and constructive feedback regularly.
• Contribute to employee reviews by providing ideas and observations surrounding areas of strength and areas of improvement.
• Proactively and professionally surface any performance issues pertaining to team members to the Senior Management Team.
• Contribute to a positive workplace by identifying ways to recognize staff outside of formal promotions/pay raises.
• Help identify quality candidates for employment at the firm.
• New Business Development: Contribute to the development of new business proposals and presentations, including conducting research, contributing to strategy and tactics, and ensuring the ultimate quality of recommendations/proposals.
• When appropriate, participate in/present during formal new business pitches.

Expectations:

• Maintain a professional, positive and respectful attitude towards colleagues and clients
• Model agency values (Treating our People Well, Accountability, Partnership & Trust, Openness & Continuous Learning, Financial Soundness & Success) in everything they do.
• Consistently produce high quality, error-free work
• Consistently meet deadlines, including allowing supervisors ample time to review materials prior to client deadlines
• Proactively volunteer for new work/assignments when workload is light
• Be available on an as needed basis for evening and/or weekend work when client deadlines require it
• Actively contribute ideas in team brainstorms (in person and via e-mail)
• Participate in team meetings by offering concise and relevant updates on client work and new business assignments
• Consistently and accurately track/record billable, new business and administrative hours on timesheets on a daily basis
• Consume relevant local, regional and national news media daily to stay current on important issues, trends and topics.

Requirements:

• 5+ years of experience in public relations field including experience in an agency environment
• Proven experience executing award-winning, dynamic and unique media relations campaigns across many different sectors that help clients and related stakeholders accomplish their goals
• Experience working with digital and social media campaigns
• Corporate communications and internal communications experience is nice to have
• Solid understanding of core public relations tools and tactics, and how they are used

Benefits:

Salary is dependent on experience (agency is also open to a Senior Account Supervisor role with additional responsibilities). Robust benefits package, including Blue Cross/Blue Shield Medical PPO with an HRA; 401(k); generous PTO; FSA for medical, dependent care and parking/transit; employer-paid Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) for wellness and employer-provided funds for medical FSA; Employer Assistance Program (EAP); Life and AD&D insurance including voluntary additional coverage available; professional development planning and support; and more.