Account Director, Client Experience

Adelphi Group•Chicago, IL

3d•$119,000 - $160,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Weber Shandwick is seeking an earned-savvy Account Director to focus on food and beverage brands. The role centers on creating and executing earned-driven integrated activations that combine brand storytelling and food culture. The Account Director will lead work for emerging and legacy brands, manage high-profile client relationships, and collaborate across teams and agencies. The position leads creative campaigns designed to resonate with audiences and earn cultural relevance and media attention. Responsibilities span client strategy, operations, activation oversight, talent development, and team culture. The role also involves aligning programs with client goals, allocating resources to budgets, managing workstreams, advising teams, and delivering work on time. The Account Director will contribute to new business development, media relations strategies, analytics insights, and creative storytelling concepts. Prior PR experience, ideally in food and beverage and lifestyle industries, is desired. Omnicom requires employees to work in the office at least three days per week, unless additional in-office days are directed by the agency or manager. The stated salary range is $119,000–$160,000.

Requirements

6–8+ years of experience in public relations or communications, preferably with a significant focus on food and beverage marketing or PR.
Demonstrated expertise in integrated media strategy and media relations.
Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Business Management, or a related field.
Experience with large-scale activations, sponsorships, or campaigns integrating earned, owned, and paid media strategies.
Deep understanding of the media landscape and cultural trends within the industry.
Ability to turn in-culture ideas into actionable, high-impact campaigns.
Ability to lead and inspire account teams and own key projects.
Conflict-resolution skills and ability to manage high-pressure environments.
Strong leadership and collaboration skills, with the ability to work independently or as part of an integrated team.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
Financial acumen to manage budgets and allocate resources effectively.
Ability to manage complex, multidimensional projects within parameters and deadlines.
Sound judgment when working with clients, stakeholders, and vendors.
Passion for the food and beverage space and ability to anticipate client and team needs.
Attention to detail in ensuring quality, relevance, and creativity.
Ability to build trust and enthusiasm with clients, colleagues, and collaborators.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in public relations, food and beverage, and lifestyle industries.
Experience leveraging celebrity or influencer endorsements and marquee events.

Responsibilities

Craft and execute high-impact, earned-driven integrated activations for food and beverage brands.
Lead work for emerging and legacy brands and manage high-profile client relationships and cross-team and agency collaborations.
Spearhead creative campaigns that resonate with audiences and generate cultural relevance and media attention.
Oversee client strategy, operations, and campaign activations.
Support talent development and build team culture.
Align programs and experiences with client goals.
Allocate agency resources to match budgets and manage multiple workstreams.
Provide strategic counsel to teams and ensure timely delivery of quality work.
Develop new business opportunities, media relations strategies, analytics insights, and creative storytelling concepts.
Lead account teams and key projects, mobilizing teams to meet deadlines and exceed expectations.