Account Director, Publicity

Allied Global Marketing

10d•Remote

About The Position

Allied Global Marketing is hiring an experienced Account Director to join our Publicity team. The Account Director will serve as a senior client and team leader, overseeing a portfolio of accounts from strategic development through execution and analysis. This role requires strong client relationship management, strategic thinking, expertise in modern media relations, and established relationships with key national media contacts, journalists, producers, editors, creators, and influencers across the travel, hospitality, entertainment, lifestyle, business, and consumer media landscape. The Account Director will provide senior level counsel to clients, lead and mentor account teams, oversee the quality of client work, and ensure programs are delivered on time, within scope, on budget, and against agreed upon goals. This individual will stay current on media trends and industry developments, drive effective earned media strategies, support organic account growth, foster cross-functional collaboration, and contribute to new business efforts. At Allied Global Marketing, we embrace the thoughtful and responsible use of generative AI to enhance creativity, strategic thinking, and operational efficiency. Team members are expected to leverage AI tools to support research, brainstorming, writing, strategic planning, reporting, presentation development, workflow optimization, and other day-to-day responsibilities while maintaining the highest standards of accuracy, confidentiality, sound judgment, and client service.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, integrated marketing, or a related discipline preferred
Eight or more years of comparable agency, corporate communications, or in house public relations experience
Demonstrated experience managing multiple complex client accounts and providing counsel to senior client stakeholders
Proven success developing and leading strategic publicity campaigns, securing meaningful media placements, and retaining client relationships
Established strong national, regional, and category specific media relationships
Demonstrated experience managing and developing employees
Experience managing account scopes, budgets, staffing plans, billable hours, and profitability
Excellent writing, editing, presentation, and verbal communication skills, including a strong understanding of AP Style
Strong strategic thinking, business judgment, organization, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast paced environment
Demonstrated knowledge of AI tools and their application across strategy development, research, ideation, media analysis, reporting, presentation development, and account workflow
Ability to use AI responsibly, including evaluating accuracy, protecting confidential information, and applying appropriate human review and judgment
Strong understanding of media measurement, campaign analysis, crisis communications, and the evolving media landscape
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and relevant project management, media intelligence, reporting, and communications tools
Ability to work independently and collaboratively across teams and agency disciplines
Professional experience within hospitality, lifestyle, travel, entertainment, or related consumer industries is preferred
Ability to work effectively in a fully remote environment while maintaining regular communication, collaboration, and accountability across teams
Flexible schedule allowing for occasional nights, weekends, and travel based on client needs

Responsibilities

Serve as senior level client counsel and maintain strong, transparent relationships with assigned clients
Develop a deep understanding of each client’s business, industry, communications goals, audiences, and competitive landscape
Oversee the overall health, performance, retention, and growth of assigned accounts
Lead the development and execution of long term publicity strategies that support client goals and elevate brand awareness
Lead priority client meetings, planning sessions, and senior level presentations
Anticipate client needs, challenges, and reputational risks, and provide clear, solutions oriented recommendations
Manage client expectations and ensure all commitments are delivered accurately, on time, and within scope
Review and approve major client and media facing materials, including communications plans, campaign strategies, messaging, pitches, press materials, and presentations
Guide account teams in developing creative, timely, and newsworthy campaigns
Provide senior direction on media strategy, story positioning, target development, and outreach
Maintain strong relationships with key media contacts, journalists, producers, editors, creators, and influencers
Demonstrate a strong understanding of modern media relations strategies, journalist workflows, editorial priorities, and the evolving media landscape by staying current on relevant news, media trends, cultural moments, and industry developments, leveraging these insights to develop effective earned media strategies and mentor junior team members.
Establish clear campaign goals and ensure reporting provides accurate results, meaningful insights, and strategic recommendations
Maintain oversight of account scopes, budgets, staffing plans, billable hours, timelines, and profitability
Hold and maintain strong, established relationships with key national media contacts, journalists, producers, editors, creators, and influencers, particularly across the travel, hospitality,entertainment, lifestyle, business, and consumer media landscape.
Identify scope changes, staffing needs, or account risks and work with senior leadership to address them
Support crisis communications and issues management by identifying concerns, escalating appropriately, and assisting with strategy and implementation
Ensure account teams maintain accurate timelines, project tracking, time reporting, and documentation
Leverage generative AI and other AI-powered tools to strengthen research, strategic planning, campaign development, brainstorming, reporting, and workflow efficiencies while exercising sound professional judgment and maintaining the highest standards of creativity, accuracy, and client service.
Lead, manage, and develop staff across assigned account teams
Provide direct supervision and oversight while allowing employees to take ownership of their work
Coach Account Supervisors, Senior Account Executives, Account Executives, and other team members on client service, strategy, writing, delegation, and account management
Establish clear responsibilities and expectations across account teams
Delegate tasks effectively while maintaining quality control
Provide regular and constructive feedback related to performance, productivity, client service, and professional development
Address performance concerns directly and in a timely manner
Conduct annual staff evaluations and goal setting discussions in partnership with senior leadership
Maintain regular communication with senior leadership regarding individual performance, workload, development, and staffing needs
Support staff professional development and identify opportunities for employees to take on additional responsibility
Participate in interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and training new employees
Help identify high potential employees and support succession planning across account teams
Develop a spirit of teamwork and maintain positive morale among employees working under their direction
Hold account teams accountable for meeting agency standards and client expectations
Train and mentor team members on modern media relations best practices, helping staff strengthen media pitching strategies, cultivate meaningful journalist relationships, and adapt to the evolving media landscape.
Coach team members on the effective use of generative AI and other AI-powered tools to improve productivity, strengthen strategic thinking, and enhance overall account performance.
Develop a thorough understanding of the services offered across Allied Global Marketing
Collaborate with teams across Partnerships, Paid Media, Brand Experience, Strategy and Innovation, Field Marketing, Influencer Marketing, Social Media, Multicultural Marketing, and other agency divisions
Identify opportunities to bring additional agency capabilities into client programs
Expand services provided to existing clients by identifying business opportunities, anticipating client needs, and building confidence in Allied's integrated capabilities.
Work with senior leadership to develop account growth plans and pursue additional revenue opportunities
Participate in new business development, including research, strategy, proposal writing, pitch development, presentations, and prospect meetings
Support new business opportunities through professional networking and relationship building
Identify marketing opportunities created through business contacts and participation in industry, civic, and professional organizations
Represent Allied professionally at industry events, conferences, networking opportunities, and community activities
Contribute Publicity expertise to integrated agency campaigns and new business efforts
Champion the effective and responsible use of generative AI and other AI-powered tools across assigned account teams to strengthen research, strategic planning, proposal development, media analysis, reporting, presentation development, brainstorming, workflow efficiencies, and overall client service.
Guide staff on how to use AI effectively while maintaining accuracy, client confidentiality, sound judgment, and appropriate human oversight
Identify account processes that can be improved or streamlined to strengthen efficiency, reporting, and client service
Develop trust and respect from clients, Allied’s leadership team, and colleagues by demonstrating sound business judgment, leadership, writing skills, and strong interpersonal communication
Maintain professional conduct in all business and social situations
Demonstrate an interest in continuing to develop communication, leadership, financial management, and creative thinking skills
Continually strengthen internal and external communication skills, industry expertise, and independent problem solving capabilities
Stay informed about media, culture, technology, client industries, business trends, and the broader marketing landscape
Practice honesty, integrity, and transparency with colleagues, media, influencers, clients, and business associates
Demonstrate confidence in recommending strategies that support client goals while protecting the reputation of both the client and the agency
Collaborate with Allied’s leadership team on workload planning, account priorities, annual evaluations, and professional development planning
Foster team collaboration and contribute to positive workplace morale through mentorship and support