Senior Public Relations Account Executive

Description

Overall Function

The Senior Public Relations Account Executive (Sr. PR AE) is a strategic communications professional responsible for developing and executing impactful public relations and communications programs that advance client objectives.

The Sr. PR AE serves as a trusted day-to-day partner to multiple clients, translating business goals and communications challenges into thoughtful, measurable strategies and then driving those strategies through execution. This role requires the ability to see the big picture while managing the details - balancing multiple client accounts, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced agency environment.

The ideal candidate is a strong strategic thinker and exceptional communicator who understands public relations best practices, knows how to identify compelling stories and opportunities, and is equally comfortable developing a communications plan, counseling a client, pitching a journalist, and managing execution across internal teams.

Desired Experience

Bachelor's degree in public relations, strategic communications, journalism, marketing or a related field and 5–7 years of relevant professional experience. Agency experience is preferred but not required.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience developing and executing strategic communications plans, managing multiple clients or complex projects simultaneously, securing earned media coverage and providing sound communications counsel. Candidates should possess exceptional writing and organizational skills, strong media relations capabilities and a proactive, solutions-oriented approach to client service.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary day-to-day agency contact for assigned clients, developing strong relationships, providing strategic counsel, and ensuring consistent, high-quality execution.
• Develop comprehensive strategic communications plans grounded in client objectives, audience insights, and public relations best practices.
• Translate communications strategies into actionable plans with clear tactics, timelines, responsibilities and measurable goals.
• Manage and execute communications programs across multiple client accounts simultaneously, effectively prioritizing competing deadlines, opportunities and client needs.
• Proactively identify communications opportunities, emerging issues and compelling storylines that support client objectives and strengthen reputation.
• Plan and manage integrated communications programs incorporating earned media, social media, influencer engagement, content, digital strategies and other appropriate channels.
• Develop and execute earned media strategies, including identifying newsworthy stories, developing targeted pitches and cultivating relationships with journalists and other influential voices.
• Produce and oversee high-quality communications materials, including media pitches, news releases, talking points, key messages, executive communications, contributed content, presentations and other client-facing materials.
• Use research, analytics, AI tools and other resources appropriately to strengthen communications strategies, identify trends, improve efficiency and measure campaign effectiveness.
• Establish meaningful measures of success and monitor campaign performance, translating results and insights into actionable recommendations for clients.
• Collaborate closely with agency creative, digital, media, and account teams to deliver cohesive, integrated work.
• Travel as needed to support client meetings, events, media opportunities, announcements, activations and other client or agency needs. Some travel may require overnight stays or work outside traditional business hours.
• Coordinate and participate in client presentations, including strategic planning sessions, campaign recaps and recommendations.
• Review client billing for assigned accounts and help ensure financial accuracy and appropriate account management.
• Assist the Director of Public Relations in compiling agency income and workload forecasts related to assigned clients.
• Participate in new business development, including research, strategic planning, proposal development, and potentially pitch presentations.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of agency and client success.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of professional experience in public relations, strategic communications, journalism, marketing communications or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing strategic communications plans tied to organizational or business objectives.
• Strong understanding of public relations principles, media relations best practices, reputation management and integrated communications.
• Proven ability to independently manage multiple clients, projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional writing, editing and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear and compelling communications.
• Demonstrated ability to identify newsworthy stories, develop effective media pitches and build productive relationships with journalists.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, including the ability to anticipate client needs and recommend solutions rather than simply execute assigned tasks.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to confidently present recommendations, provide communications counsel and interact professionally with senior-level client contacts.
• Working knowledge of emerging communications tools and trends, including AI applications, analytics, SEO, social media and influencer communications.
• Experience planning or supporting events, media opportunities and other high-profile client initiatives preferred.
• Experience with budgeting, account management or forecasting is a plus.
• Agency experience preferred but not required.
• Ability and willingness to travel as needed for client meetings, events and other business needs, including occasional overnight and after-hours travel.