Description
Spitfire Strategies, an innovative communications firm dedicated to helping clients create positive social change, seeks a Senior Account Executive to join its team. Spitfire Strategies is looking for a savvy communicator with exemplary writing skills, proven client service skills and demonstrated ability to create high-impact outreach strategies that involve multiple forms of media. The right person for the job is a highly motivated, self-starter who takes direction well but can also work independently, thrives on variety and can shift directions seamlessly.
The Senior Account Executive's primary responsibilities are to lead day-to-day efforts on assigned client projects and implement assigned pieces of larger accounts. Assigned tasks will regularly include, but are not limited to, drafting high-quality client materials and presentations, including internal memos as well as client deliverables,, conducting media relations, conducting outreach with policymakers and/or staff at local, state and national levels, creating communications strategies for clients and participating in training programs. Other tasks include managing assigned projects, providing client coaching and creating and monitoring project work plans.
This position provides an individual the space to grow into the Senior Associate role. A successful candidate will seek out additional opportunities for professional development while continuing to hone skills developed as an account executive and perform tasks as assigned. In addition, the Senior Account Executive will solidify his/her industry specialty (i.e. training, policy, brand positioning, etc.).
The Senior Account Executive reports directly to his/her team lead but may also be assigned tasks by other members of the team or by Spitfire's president or managing director. The Senior Account Executive may also be asked to oversee junior staff and manage outside consultants on specific projects.
As with all members of the Spitfire team, Senior Account Executives are expected to follow the policies described in the Spitfire handbook, attend all internal meetings, and conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times while working to instill a positive work environment at the firm.
A successful Senior Account Executive demonstrates proficiency in completing the following activities.
Internal Relationships
• Proactively contribute ideas to projects
• Regularly make recommendations to project lead on how to improve a project
• Work with project/team lead to effectively complete scope of work so that it is top quality but also within the terms of the contract
• Seek help from project manager or team lead if overall workload exceeds regular work week and work with team to determine solution
• Consistently demonstrate ability to successfully move into problem-solving mode whenever challenges or concerns arise
• Work well with and demonstrate respect for colleagues at all levels and consistently contribute to a positive work environment.
• Demonstrate ability to work with team lead to prioritize workload
• Understand scope of work of the projects working on well enough to answer questions about the project posed by firm management or other colleagues
• Assist members of team on challenging projects and hone understanding of account management
• Solicit feedback/provide regular updates to team lead for assigned projects
• Identify new communications tools and demonstrate use to staff
• Mentor junior staff
• Solidify relationship with mentor to continue career growth
External Relationships
• Consistently demonstrate ability to get client's messages to target audiences, either through earned media coverage, direct outreach to policymakers, or planning and implementation of other outreach activities
• Serve as account lead or strong second on an account and demonstrate increased ability to manage accounts and provide top-notch client service as demonstrated by wins by and praise from the client
• Lead sessions at Spitfire training programs that receive high marks and positive feedback on participants' evaluation forms
• Demonstrate flexibility with clients and ability to manage expectations as well as ability to problem solve for clients to help them reach their goals in the most effective way possible
• Show good judgment and maturity with regard to client interactions
• Provide strong strategic advice to clients through coaching, memos, client service, etc. Attend at least one event outside of the office per quarter and establish new firm contact at each event
Communication and Process
• Screen and interview employee candidates
• Create draft proposals that can be finalized and submitted with few revisions
• Create client materials that can be forwarded to the client with few or no revisoins
• Contribute content to Spitfire intellectual property and take a leading role in creation of at least one new piece of intellectual property per year
• Draft major components of a strategic communications plan
• Develop and implement high impact media outreach strategies
• Utilize appropriate communication tactics to meet client's goal
• Demonstrate outstanding copy editing and writing skills
• Be known for area of expertise (i.e. blogging, online chat, PowerPoint) and train staff appropriately
• Create and manage workplans to scope of work outlined in proposal and contract
• Consistently meet project deadlines as set by team lead
• Other duties as assigned
Financial and Administrative
• Submit expense reimbursement forms as appropriate
• Submit vacation/leave requests as appropriate
• Turn proposals into draft contracts
Qualifications
Must have a bachelor's degree and minimum of 6 years public relations agency or related professional experience. Must have successful experience as Account Executive at Spitfire for at least two years. Must demonstrate superior writing and editing skills and possess general knowledge of state and federal political process. Must have ability to use the Smart Chart and help clients develop highly strategic communications plans. Demonstrated outstanding public speaking skills are preferred as are superior client service skills. Candidates should be a highly motivated, self-starter who takes direction well but also can also work independently, thrives on variety and can shift directions seamlessly.
Although promotions are based on a variety of factors, a Senior Account Executive is generally expected to successfully hold this position for a minimum of two years before being considered for promotion. To apply: Send a resume and cover letter to settleson@verizon.net, subject line: Spitfire SAE.