Description
At Spitfire Strategies, we love making positive change happen. Our clients have serious ambitions and are determined to make the world a better place. We choose to work on issues that are close to our hearts and that make us proud of what we’re doing every day.
Spitfire hires the smartest and most passionate people we can find. We’re looking for folks who know communication inside out and are eager to see real progress on the most important issues of our day. If you fit this description, we want to hear from you.
We’re a group of creative, diverse and down-to-earth people who enjoy working together to face our clients’ toughest challenges head on. We are currently looking for a Senior Account Manager to join our NYC based team.
The Senior Account Manager’s primary responsibilities are to lead day-to-day efforts on smaller client projects and implement assigned pieces of larger accounts. Assigned tasks include, but may not be limited to, drafting high-quality client materials and presentations from the proposal phase through implementation, conducting media relations, conducing 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 leading small projects, providing client coaching and creating and monitoring project work plans.
This position provides an individual the space to grow into a more senior position at Spitfire while benefiting from ongoing oversight and development opportunities from current senior staff. A successful Senior Account Manager will seek out additional opportunities for professional development. In addition, the Senior Account Manager will begin to develop an industry specialty (i.e. training, policy, brand positioning, etc.).
The Senior Account Manager reports directly to a senior manager but may also be assigned tasks by other members of the staff. The Senior Account Manager 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 Managers 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 Manager shows proficiency in all of the activities required of the Senior Account Executive as well as proficiency completing the following activities.
Internal Relationships
- Contribute solutions on challenging projects
- Solicit feedback/provide regular updates to team lead for assigned projects
- Identify new communications assets and demonstrate use to staff
- Present client accounts at staff meetings
- Mentor junior staff
- Screen and interview employee candidates
- Contribute content to Spitfire intellectual property
- Consistently meet project deadlines
- Demonstrates ability to act on feedback provided by project lead/manager
- Demonstrates willingness to invest non-billable time in the pursuit of professional development
- External Relationships
- Serve as account lead or strong second
- Demonstrate flexibility with clients and ability to manage expectations
- Show good judgment and maturity with regard to client interactions
- Provide strong strategic advice to clients through coaching, memos, sample collateral material, etc.
- Serve as a proficient training coach and co-lead trainings with senior colleagues
- Utilize appropriate communication tactics in order to meet client’s goal
- Participates in business development/expansion Communications and Process
- Demonstrates skills in all aspects of Spitfire’s offerings including strategic communications, planning, message development, training, earned media strategies, internet outreach and branding
- Draft proposals
- Be known for area of expertise (e.g., blogging, online chat, PowerPoint) and train staff appropriately
- Create client materials, such as fact sheets, message platforms, web content, op-eds, etc.
- Draft major components of a strategic communications plan with limited feedback necessary
- Develop and implement high impact media outreach strategies
- Secure local and national media coverage
- Demonstrate outstanding copy editing and writing skills
- Demonstrate ability to conduct research and provide strategic analysis for communications planning
- Create and manage workplans
- Other duties as assigned Financial and Administrative
- Manage project budgets
- Submit expense reimbursement forms as appropriate
- Submit vacation/leave requests as appropriate
- Turn proposals into draft contracts
- Submits accurate timesheets
- Qualifications include:
Must have a bachelor’s degree and at least five to seven years relevant job experience, including public relations, public affairs agency, Hill or related experience. Must demonstrate superior client service skills as well as outstanding writing, editing and public speaking skills. A general knowledge of state and federal political processes is important. Must have ability to use the Smart Chart® and help clients develop highly strategic communications plans. Although promotions are based on a variety of factors, Senior Account Managers are expected to successfully demonstrate ongoing competency in each of the areas outlined above before being considered for a promotion. Senior Account Managers are full-time, exempt employees.
- To apply: send resume, cover letter and salary requirements to settleson@gmail.com, subject line: Spitfire NYC.