Account Director, Brand

What We Need:

MWW has an exciting opportunity for an Account Director on the Brand team. The AD will be a seasoned account manager with expertise in strategic planning, campaign creation and management, presentation creation, overseeing the creation of media materials and content, and cultivating and enhancing relationships with high level media and influencers. The AD will have deep expertise in media relations and integrated programs and will have the ability to set integrated brand-building and media strategies as well as execute, manage team members, develop performance goals and measurement metrics, and serve as a primary client relationship manager and strategic counsel. Experience in home building/design or real estate is preferred. 

This position serves as a primary day-to-day client contact and project manager, provides support to account team(s) and helps manage the flow of work and information. The AD maintains a thorough understanding of client business(es) and how to translate that knowledge into strong public relations counsel to different levels of client contacts.

Additionally, the AD helps lead the execution of media relations initiatives and in managing the development of media materials and client assets. The position also helps guide the management of entry-level talent. This role includes supporting integrated campaigns, a working knowledge of social influencers, emerging digital platforms and creative problem solving.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Serve as a key day-to-day client contact; anticipate client needs and prepare in advance 
• Manage multiple projects from concept to completion on time and within budget 
• Proactively generate new ideas and opportunities to ensure client program success 
• Help develop and write strategic memos and client presentations 
• Provide client counsel on tactical matters, linked to strategic plans 
• Manage campaign budgets, including expenses 
• Maintain relationships with media and influencers and participate in proactive outreach to generate client thought leadership opportunities 
• Manage development of media and digital assets, leverage relevant data and insights to create media and PR opportunities 
• Understand industry issues that directly and indirectly affect the client 
• Instruct entry-level staff in the areas of media relations and writing/document creation 
• Plan and execute media relations programs, events and launch activities; lead media relations efforts and initiatives 
• Provide senior level account planning and supervision for major, key accounts with proven, specialized expertise in consumer brand marketing and public relations; serve as a strategic liaison among clients, account team and agency management
• Lead the planning and execution of media programs and activities; serve as a primary, day-to-day, client contact and provide strong client counsel on tactical matters linked to strategic plans; anticipate client needs and prepare in advance; interact with senior level colleagues and clients and troubleshoot clients’ problems as they arise; ensure that all accounts are strategically on target with clients’ business objectives
• Display strong team leadership and ensure that the team continues to drive media results for clients, proactively pitching media daily and secure publicity for clients (local, regional, national); continue to generate client thought leadership opportunities; maintain existing relationships with media, journalists and influencers; keep current with journalist specialism/interest
• Help account team work effectively and in the best interest of client; maximize the agency’s network of resources to enhance client services
• Maintain a thorough, demonstrated understanding of clients’ businesses and industries; actively follow and understand emerging issues, trends and news impacting your clients’ business, and proactively advise the team and client regarding how best to leverage or address these developments
• Lead account team strategy sessions and brainstorms and the corresponding the development, planning and execution of client media strategies
• Lead integrated campaigns through a demonstrated, working knowledge of social influence, emerging digital platforms, and creative problem solving
• Moderate media interviews; assist with media training for clients; initiate implementation of media events such as press conferences, briefings and media tours; serve as the senior on-site agency contact for clients’ events
• Take a leadership role in new business proposal development and work with appropriate agency resources and account teams to identify and secure incremental business opportunities; deliver powerful presentations and win new business with the support of supervisor; develop a strong new business ethic within the team; continue to build a leadership role in outside organizations, as well, to increase market visibility and create new business opportunities
• Showcase a deep knowledge of and the proven ability to effectively articulate the full services of MWWPR, procedures and business methods
• Participate in external company promotion through articles, speeches, presentations, professional memberships, etc.
• Report to senior management on progress of team members and accounts; serve as the liaison between senior management and staff
• Manage up to your supervisors and account leads regarding progress on deliverables, media outreach processes, and actively offer solutions to pivot where needed or enhance the project

Requirements/Qualifications + Success Factors:

• At least 6 years of experience serving in a full-time role either in a public relations agency or the communications department of a company in a relevant industry. Agency experience is required. 
• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, a related field or in the liberal arts 
• Brand experience in one or more of the following categories: consumer lifestyle, home building, home design, home goods or real estate 
• Lifestyle, design, consumer trends, technology media contacts 
• Superior, demonstrated proficiency in media writing and media relations (story pitching to traditional media and digital influencers, writing releases and bylines, ability to find creative angles and create highly targeted media strategies and pitches)
• Superior oral and written communication skills; advanced proofreading and editing ability 
• Experience supervising and providing guidance to junior staffers; strong team building and mentorship aptitude; effectively develops and retains staff
• Proven track record for providing and selling in highly strategic counsel/recommendations to clients
• Excellent media relations skills and knowledge of identifying and maintaining social and cultural influencer relationships 
• Proven ability to apply public relations techniques beyond media relations in response to client briefs; proactively generate new ideas and opportunities to support client objectives and stories; ensure client program success; regularly measure client satisfaction and take appropriate action
• Proven ability to handle difficult situations with client; can provides first class crisis response and identifies when to seek senior input
• Excellent project management capability; can execute against multiple tasks in an effective, organized manner, including: events, press material development, media briefings, and product launches; provide high quality deliverables on or prior to deadlines; manage the logistics of and run multiple, defined client projects from concept to completion on time and within budget with the support of a junior team
• Superior ability to manage the creation of press materials, including client media materials, byline articles, client correspondence and reports
• Ability to identify and create thought leadership opportunities for consumer client executives 
• Maintain a professional, client-ready demeanor and presence; keep a high standard of etiquette in all communications and interactions
• Ability to travel as necessary contingent on client and new business needs (requirements vary)
• Maintain knowledge and a demonstrated understanding of industry publications, nationals, broadcast media
• Fluent with Microsoft Office Suite, Cision, Moreover, Factiva, TV Eyes or other monitoring tools 
• Proven ability to think strategically, creatively and proactively; exhibit a facility for problem solving and close attention to detail 
• Ability to “get smart quickly”- understand and learn different business sectors swiftly 
• Demonstrated proficiency and affinity for digital tools and platforms (including social media)
• Avid consumer of general and business/economics news and media
• Maintain a thorough understanding of clients’ businesses and industries; become an expert on clients’ products and services; demonstrate these products to media 
• Ability to think strategically, creatively and proactively; exhibit a facility for problem solving and close attention to detail 
• Desire to pursue knowledge and professional development 
• Participate in agency development by working collaboratively across all practice areas 
• Cultivate and exhibit strong presentation and interpersonal skills 
• Ability to prioritize multiple assignments and manage time in an organized manner while ensuring deadlines are met 
• Consistently strive for personal excellence with both client deliverables and within your team, enabling MWWPR to maintain competitive advantage by providing exceptional value and service

Our Benefits:

We believe in flexibility and have the structure to make that our reality. MWWLife is our robust suite of benefits, programs, and incentives designed to support our employees’ experience during every phase of their careers. Forged in the spirit of flexibility and growth, it’s about the freedom to live your best life, both personally and professionally, and embodies the culture of caring that we cultivate at MikeWorldWide. 

Highlights Includes:

• Unlimited PTO 
• Pre-PTO
• 24/7 Mental Healthcare on Demand via TalkSpace
• Mental Health Awareness Days
• Friday Freeze
• Summer Fridays
• Commuter Benefits
• Professional trainings and Workshops
• Phone and Gym/Fitness Stipend  
• Offices are closed between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day 

MWW Values:

At MWW, our values are what set us apart and give us the energy to move forward with confidence and excellence. 

• Passion: We have a real passion for what we do. It’s why we get up every day and it’s what drives us to work harder, care more and execute flawlessly. 
• Inclusivity: We’re inclusive – for real. Our respect and appreciation for diverse backgrounds and perspectives lead us to greater innovation, enhanced creativity, and richer experiences. 
• Curiosity: Our endless curiosity opens us up to new ideas, collaboration, and growth. It drives our desire to immerse ourselves in the knowledge of others and the culture of the world about us. 
• Empathy: Our authentic empathy gives us a sense of understanding which informs our work, enhances our ability to deliver for clients and elevates us from colleagues to family 
• Independence: Our hard-earned independence gives us the freedom and flexibility to dream big, take risks and do what’s right – for our clients, our agency and each other 
• Initiative: We have a spirited initiative – we’re fast, focused and fearless. It’s that confidence and pride in our ability to deliver exceptional work for exceptional clients.

Our Philosophy:

At MikeWorldWide, we are built to care. We care about each other, our clients, our work and our world. We have an inherent collective empathy that informs our ideas, energizes our work and elevates us from likable colleagues to beloved family. 

We’re an independent agency and we care a lot about that. Our independence gives us the freedom and flexibility to dream big, take the risks worth taking, and to do the work worth caring about. Most importantly, it lets us do what’s right, for our employees, our families and friends, and of course, our clients.

Creating authentic and lasting connections for our clients—and the people who value those clients—is why we exist. We want them to be loved because their success is ours. And so, for them, we create work that people care about because now, more than ever, CARING COUNTS.

We celebrate diversity in our employees and partners, and we're committed to building a safe and inclusive workplace environment where we all can feel comfortable and thrive while we bring our best ideas to life. We're proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage future MWW families from traditionally underrepresented and underserved communities to apply.