Public Relations Account Director

Role Overview

As an Account Director, you’ll serve as the senior lead for a roster of clients – owning strategy, execution, and outcomes. You will manage account teams (amidst a hybrid structure), provide counsel and guidance to clients, oversee campaign development across media, digital, content, and events, and help grow business through account expansion and new opportunities. You’ll mentor junior and mid-level staff and contribute to agency growth and thought leadership.

This role is ideal for a communications professional with 7+ years of agency or relevant experience, who thrives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment, enjoys leadership and mentorship, and is ready to take ownership of strategic accounts and revenue growth.

• Serve as primary agency liaison and senior counsel for clients; craft communications strategy aligned with client business objectives and values.
• Lead development of integrated communications plans – media, digital/social, content, events, thought leadership, stakeholder and influencer engagement.
• Provide strategic guidance on brand positioning, messaging, crisis communications (if applicable), reputation management, and long-term planning.

• Oversee high-quality development of press materials – press releases, thought‑leadership articles, media kits, bylines, talking points, Q&As.
• Cultivate and sustain relationships with key media, influencers, and stakeholders across traditional, trade, digital, social channels relevant to client sectors.
• Direct pitching strategy, media outreach, placement execution, and media training for clients (as needed).
• Monitor coverage and performance metrics; lead post‑campaign analysis, reporting, insights, and recommendations.
• Lead and mentor a team of account executives, juniors, and coordinators across multiple accounts.
• Delegate tasks, provide feedback, review work for quality, and ensure timely, on‑budget delivery of client work.
• Foster a collaborative, growth‑oriented team culture, reinforcing agency values of creativity, integrity, and client service excellence.

• Identify growth opportunities within existing accounts – cross‑sell, upsell additional services, expand scope.
• Collaborate on new business pitches and proposals; contribute case‑studies, pitch decks, and strategic planning.
• Participate in agency planning – positioning, capability development, and thought leadership for the firm.
• Manage budget, resources, and profitability for assigned accounts; ensure deliverables meet client expectations and agency performance standards.
• Maintain accurate account tracking, forecasting, and reporting.
• Work with leadership on pricing strategy, capacity planning, and resource allocation across teams.

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or related field.
• 7+ years of public relations / integrated communications experience – preferably in a PR agency or environment managing multiple accounts.
• Proven track record of leading successful PR / communication campaigns; demonstrated ability to secure media placements across trade, digital, lifestyle, or national outlets.
• Strong writing, editing, storytelling, and presentation skills; comfort drafting strategic documents, media materials, and thought‑leadership content.
• Deep understanding of media landscape and ability to cultivate relationships with journalists, influencers, and stakeholders relevant to your clients’ sectors.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills; ability to juggle multiple accounts, deadlines, teams, and deliverables.
• Leadership and mentorship capabilities – ability to manage, coach, and develop junior and mid-level staff.
• Business acumen: budget management, profitability awareness, and interest in account growth / business‑development.
• Strong client‑service orientation – ability to build trust, manage expectations, and serve as a senior advisor to clients.
• Flexibility and resourcefulness – comfortable working in a dynamic, fast‑paced agency environment; able to adapt to evolving client…