Spitfire Strategies — Director

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Spitfire Strategies 

Director

Spitfire Strategies, an innovative communications firm dedicated to helping clients create positive social change, seeks a Director 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 Director’s primary responsibilities are leading, managing, and expanding client accounts as either the primary lead or second in command. This involves developing and managing project work plans and budgets, updating management on progress of projects, acting as primary client contact, managing junior staff members and working with management and accounting as needed to ensure proper billing.  When acting as the second senior member of an account, the Director will take direction from the account lead and provide input into strategy or assistance with implementation as directed. The Director is also expected to work with the team lead to ensure overall quality control on assigned accounts and assist lead with management of the team.

A Director reports directly to his/her team lead or another senior person on the team but may also be assigned tasks by Spitfire’s President or Chief Operating Officer. A Director will be assigned various staff to manage pending project needs and may also oversee outside consultants on specific efforts.

A Director is a member of the senior management team and as such is also expected to participate in senior staff meetings, actively identify and pursue new business opportunities, contribute ideas into the overall management and well-being of the firm, serve as a mentor to junior staff and consistently identify and implement new ways to improve the quality of Spitfire’s work and job satisfaction for staff.

As with all members of the Spitfire team, Directors 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 Director shows proficiency in all of the activities required of the Senior Account Manager as well as proficiency completing the following activities.

Internal Relationships

• Mentor junior staff
• Take an active role in training junior staff
• Attend Senior Staff meetings
• Participate in discussions about the firm including policy, staffing and account issues
• Assist team lead or project manager in oversight of assigned accounts
• Demonstrates ability to move into problem solving mode as needed
• Demonstrates respect for all colleagues
• Foster a positive team environment for entire staff
• Assist in hiring new staff

External Relationships

• Identify new business opportunities, participate in new business pitches and assist in drafting new business proposals

• Expand existing accounts
• Develop and conduct trainings, including regular Spitfire trainings such as the Smart Chart as well as niche areas of expertise, such as collaterals or policy maker relations
• Run two to three accounts at any given time
• Manage client expectations and continuously improve client service
• Develops relationships with and manages outside consultants 

Communications and Process

• Write strategic communication plans
• Is a lead trainer for at least three Spitfire trainings (SmartChart, media relations, elevator speeches, etc.)
• Participate in all aspects of new business development
• Demonstrate outstanding copy editing and writing skills
• Be known for area of expertise (i.e. media, internet, training etc.)
• Demonstrate skills in all aspects of Spitfire’s work strategic communications, planning, message development, training, earned media strategies, internet outreach, branding
• Successfully take on other duties as assigned

Financial and Administrative

·         Submit expense reimbursement forms as appropriate

·         Submit vacation/leave requests as appropriate

·         Submit accurate timesheets

·         Create client contracts and work with accounting to track and update projections

·         Manage project budgets

·         Review contract scope changes with firm management

·         Provide accurate billing reports on assigned projects 

Qualifications

Must have a bachelor’s degree and minimum of seven years relevant job experience, including public relations or public affairs agency, Hill or related experience.  Must have experience managing staff and demonstrate project management expertise. Superior client service skills are a must as are demonstrated outstanding writing and public speaking skills. Director is a highly motivated, self-starter who takes direction well but can also work independently, thrive on variety and can shift directions seamlessly.

Although promotions are based on a variety of factors, Directors are expected to successfully demonstrate ongoing competency in each of the areas outlined above before being considered for a promotion.

Directors are full-time, exempt employees.