Account Director

Account Director, Client Experience  

We are looking for a strong Account Director for the Consumer Practice in Chicago who can lead multi-channel campaigns to success, coach team members and bring to life some of the best in-culture ideas.

Are you a candidate with a passion for working in food, beverage and lifestyle, who is obsessed with studying the current media landscape and how stories travel across channels, then this role is for you. 

• Critical Thinking: Has intellectual curiosity, creativity and critical thinking skills; is able to connect the dots and evaluate opportunities strategically to ensure they break through and deliver on client goals
• Earned-First Storytelling: Understands the elements that make a story exciting, what brands are doing in the press and on social platforms, and what they should do next
• Communication: Speaks, writes and edits succinctly and in a compelling manner
• Leadership: Experience and a love for leading a team of other curious colleagues, clients and agency partners to execute flawlessly and to the highest quality standards
• Client Service: A record of exceptional client service with the ability to counsel and interact effectively with senior management at client organizations
• Management: Strong project management skills with the ability to ensure the team creates and meets deadlines. Works well in a fast pace environment
• Interpersonal: Plays nice, whether it’s on a team, across geographies or independently
• Technical: Is familiar with Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook – media databases and social tracking tools are a bonus
• Detail-Oriented: Has a keen attention to detail and a commitment to delivering clear and precise work, whether it’s a client-facing email, a strategic deck, a narrative, a recap report – or even just a Slack
• Spark: Understands what sets themselves apart. And what is means to do good, impactful work
• Obsession with Culture: A clear understanding of what drives culture, with a passion for tapping into pop culture to reach broad and diverse audiences
• Financial Acumen: Experience managing clients’ budgets and allocating agency resources accordingly

What We’re Looking For: 

• A senior account management expert with a minimum of 6-10 years of experience and a background in consumer, consumer-tech, travel, fashion and/or CPG PR
• BA or BS in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism or related field
• Strong experience with both large-scale and start-up business environments preferred
• Client interaction, media relations and industry knowledge
• Effective team supervision, mentorship and leadership
• Excellent communication/presentation skills; verbal and written
• Management of earned media campaigns including thought leadership, product launches, earned-first creative campaigns, and more
• Ability to counsel senior clients and their executives with flawless earned media strategy and creative storytelling
• Manage clients, team resources and deliverables around major campaigns and programs.    
• Can integrate earned media strategy seamlessly with digital, social and paid
• Experience in new business development and organic business growth efforts in support of new business pitches

The Weber Shandwick Collective recognizes that your health and wellbeing are a priority. This is why we offer a full suite of benefits including:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 401k (with employer match)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Juice Money - $60 monthly reimbursement to be used towards purchases that nourish your health, mind, body, and soul
• MyDays – Flexible holiday schedules
• Short-Term Disability
• Paid Employee Family Leave
• Family Building Benefit

Weber Shandwick is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Weber Shandwick recruits qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, ethnic or national origin, protected veteran status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or citizenship status.

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