PR Account Executive

Are you fiercely creative and know how to get people talking? Are you driven to craft solutions and tell stories in unique and out-of-the-box ways?

At Durrell Communications we pursue excellence in being the voice of our clients, and we are looking for our newest creative team member! If you are a collaborative and meticulous individual with a passion for execution who is driven to optimize our clients’ position in print and online, then we encourage you to apply!

How you will make a difference

Reporting to the Director of Operations + Special Projects, the Account Executive drives public relations and media strategy for our clients including the management, creation and distribution of content while connecting our clients to reporters and publications in order to drive increased revenue, brand awareness, reputation and overall media exposure for the organization. They manage the digital voice and promote and protect the client’s reputation by developing and executing strategies and plans for brand building, innovation, and promotion of corporate communications and corporate affairs initiatives. They set and measure the strategic goals and performance metrics for each client by creating content that gets attention and engages audiences.

What you will be doing

Public Relations and Media Strategy:

• Build relationships with key media contacts and identify opportunities to proactively pitch brand and corporate stories to media as appropriate.
• Manage day-to-day media relations/media requests for brand and corporate issues.
• Organize events including press conferences, exhibitions, open days and press tours.
• Source and manage speaking opportunities, awards and sponsorships.
• Prepare and supervise the production of publicity brochures, handouts, promotional videos, photographs, and multimedia programs; devising and coordination of photo opportunities to support PR and media initiatives.
• Effectively “sell” press releases to media, communicates benefits to media outlet of accepting press releases.
• Liaise with key spokespeople and answer enquiries from media, individuals, and other organizations often via telephone and email.
• Execute on components of crisis management and communications strategy with the coordination of the Account Manager.

Client Relationship Management:

• Ensure the overall client services delivery presents an exceptional customer service experience by setting manageable timelines and deliverables for team members.
• Manage agenda and meetings with clients.
• Manage the PR aspect of a potential crisis, escalating to Leadership team and Managers as required.
• Help solve problems that affect the service and efficiency of client projects.
• Communicate any issues that arise that affect project execution, timelines and deadlines.

Branding Strategy:

• Develop and implement both short- and long-term branding strategies that intertwine various techniques which will consistently meet or exceed planned objectives.
• Create and update content calendars for each client that addresses their individual goals and objectives with attention to branding, public relations and media activities on client retainers.

Research:

• Monitor publicity and conduct research to find out concerns and expectations of client stakeholders in order to create the media plan.
• Identify audience and appropriate formats for media and medium selections and understand how those selections will affect the target audience.

Content Creation:

• Administer preparation and dissemination of press releases and articles and coordinates media events.
• Direct the writing, editing and publishing of organizational publications.
• Develop an online communication strategy and collaborate with the Account Coordinators to develop content.
• Oversee creation of content that is consistent and appropriately reflects client brand and standards, including public relations, media, owned content, and design elements.
• Develop the creation of written materials including press releases, Q&A, media standby statements, fact sheets, pitch letters, articles, case studies, newsletters and other collateral on brand and corporate issues as required.

Metrics & Analytics:

• Track and analyze media coverage.
• Monitor the effectiveness of the implemented client strategy on a monthly basis and course correct to ensure strategy objectives are met.
• Set KPIs and monitor the effectiveness of each implemented client strategy on a monthly basis and course correct to ensure strategy objectives are met.
• Provide monthly reporting to the leadership team that analyzes each client’s statistics and provides recommendations.

Project Management:

• Execute timelines on all client projects set by the Account Manager.
• Communicate any issues that arise that affect project execution, timelines and deadlines.
• Track all hours by client and project.

Other:

• Ensure continuous learning to stay informed of existing and emerging internet, social and web technologies as well as trending media topics.
• Liaise and collaborate with all team members as needed and help provide creative solutions to communication problems.
• Help solve problems that affect the service and efficiency of client projects.
• Plan and oversee client events, while also promoting, attending and providing support during events.
• Promote and attend organizational sponsored events.
• Focus on specialty to become Subject Matter Expert in either Events, Government Relations, Digital or Media.

Skills for success

• Thorough knowledge of the principles of effective communications and mass media publicity, advertising, digital marketing and social media, policies, education community relations, demonstration, social service and government relations as they relate to our clients.
• A well-defined sense of diplomacy, including solid negotiation, conflict resolution and people management skills.
• High degree of integrity, confidentiality and accountability.
• Ability to plan, organize and effectively present ideas and concepts to groups.
• Ability to assimilate information from a variety of sources, analyze information and recommend courses of action to be taken.
• Superb writing, content development and editing skills, that is of high quality and result driven.
• Exceptional project management skills including organizational, strategic, planning and implementation skills.
• Must be able to meet tight deadlines and execute flawlessly on projects in a fast-paced, often pressured environment and see a project through to completion.
• Passion for communication and engagement.
• Energetic, self-motivated and results oriented.
• Able to elicit cooperation from others as well as build and maintain relationships with key media outlets, including trade publications, magazine and other pertinent business partners.

What we require

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, English, Journalism, Marketing, Communication or another related field.
• Integrated marketing technology certificate.
• 2-5 years experience in media or journalism industry.
• 1-2 years experience in public relations, social media management or digital marketing.

Why Durrell Communications?

• As a full-service public relations agency, we work with our clients to promote their brand in print and online.
• Durrell Communications gives you the opportunity to grow your career alongside our talented team of communication specialists, marketing strategists, media strategists and public relations professionals developing global media campaigns and arranging memorable events.
• Refine your craft alongside the best in the industry and within an engaging and community-focused workplace.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in the selection process. If you require a specific accommodation, please let us know.