Zapwater Communications is seeking to hire an Account Director to join our team in Chicago. Named one of the "Best Agencies to Work For" for two consecutive years by PRovoke Media, Zapwater is known for developing best in class strategies for travel, consumer, fashion/beauty/lifestyle, real estate, design and hospitality clients.
This newly created role will lead day-to-day operations, serves as senior client contact and executes strategic public relations programming. This person is a key member of the leadership team and will continue to position the agency for growth and success. The overall objective of this position is ot manage and potentially grow client accounts through effective use of human capital and financial metrics.
Responsiblities include:
ACCOUNT LEADERSHIP AND CLIENT MANAGEMENT
* Conceputalize advanced, integrated and innovative publicity campaigns
* Provide guidance in developing and presenting new industry insights and business trends for client
* Apply extensive experience and understanding of traditional and emerging communications trends and technologies to elevate strategy
* Pitch high-level media such as national business desks and broadcast outlets
* Oversee and monitor ongoing campaign performance to ensure programs are executed properly and according to client expectations
* Conduct post-campaign analysis and provide recommendations for future initiatives
* Develop, mentor and manage team members
* Provide continual informal feedback as well as perform timely performance reviews, as necessary, to ensure professional development of staff
* Supervise, maintain and lead account dynamic, both internally and externally
* Review and ensure quality of all outbound materials including press releases, company collateral, corporate web site copy, email campaigns, etc.
* Maximize individual performance and productivity through time management
* Display financial acumen and budgeting practices
* Be accountable for and maximize profitability at the account level through evaluation of project and retainer fees and implementation of appropriate account staffing structure
* Create, approve, communicate, analyze and report results of internal and external budgets
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
* Identify, pursue, negotiate, and drive new business development and strategic partnerships that expand our reach and/or increase our revenue
* Assist with brainstorming better business practices for new business documents and presentations
* Provide strategic leadership, direction and management for business development and marketing functions by choose industries and markets for the Agency to pursue
* Share the responsibility of managing and organically growing accounts for profitability
* Create new business proposals as well as negotitate rates and positioning
* 6-8 years of experience
* Previous agency experience strongly prefered
* Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Reltaions or Marketing
* Vast network of top tier media relationships with print, online, and broadcast media on a local, regional and national level
* Strong written and verbal communication skills
* Extensive experience and knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Word, along with tools like Muckrack, CIsion, Klear, and Meltwater
* Proven experience with mentoring and managing junior team members
* Positive attitude and a commitment to fostering a positive work culture and collaborative environment
