Copy of Account Manager, Fashion Communications

The Independents • New York, NY

4d • $80,000 - $85,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Karla Otto is a global public relations and communications agency founded in 1982, with offices in 15 cities across the UK, EMEA, the US, and Asia. In 2017, Karla Otto merged with K2 to form THE INDEPENDENTS, a global marketing, design, and communications group. The agency represents clients across fashion, beauty, and lifestyle, and is seeking an Account Manager, Fashion Communications to join its team in the New York office.

The Account Manager will manage day-to-day client relationships, lead client calls and meetings, and oversee and mentor Account Assistants and Coordinators. The role contributes to client strategy, pitches, and service development; builds relationships with media and global colleagues; and identifies opportunities in digital communications, social media, and influencer engagement. The position also uses analytics to assess digital initiatives and improve results.

Karla Otto seeks candidates with previous PR or communications experience, strong press and industry relationships, excellent communication and organizational skills, and the ability to work effectively under pressure. The company emphasizes positive charisma, enthusiasm, self-motivation, and a keen sense of aesthetics. Karla Otto is committed to diversity, inclusivity, and equal opportunity.

Requirements

• Proven previous experience in a PR or communications role.
• Strong top-tier relationships with press and industry peers, and developed stakeholder management skills.
• Strong written and oral communication, research, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and prioritize in a fast-paced environment.
• Confidence to make suggestions and bring ideas to the wider team focused on client experience, and to work independently or as part of a team.
• High attention to detail and ability to present and interpret quantitative and qualitative data.
• Positive attitude toward challenging situations and willingness to go above and beyond to complete projects accurately and on time.
• Proven negotiation and influencing skills.
• Efficiency with Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Enthusiasm, self-motivation, positive charisma, and a keen sense of aesthetics.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day client relationships and direct client contact, and lead client calls and meetings with maturity, professionalism, and client awareness.
• Provide direct line management, mentoring, and work sign-off for Account Assistants and Coordinators; manage sample trafficking, set expectations, provide reports and analysis, ensure attendance at inventory meetings, and escalate challenges and potential solutions to senior colleagues.
• Build links with global offices and other divisions to encourage client uptake of additional services and offices, supporting improved results for brands and clients.
• Develop relationships with relevant media contacts and use them to secure coverage and results.
• Work with Directors to monitor brand advertising partners, identify unmet brand targets, develop solutions, and deliver results.
• Own an agreed element of client strategy and contribute to the wider plan using industry knowledge and creative thinking.
• Support client pitches with confidence, market insight, and strong representation of the Karla Otto brand.
• Identify opportunities to integrate other Karla Otto services into existing client work and coordinate with senior colleagues to pitch additions appropriately.
• Identify opportunities to incorporate digital services into client interactions, seek input from specialists, and pitch ideas to clients.
• Share digital trends and developments with the wider team for potential use in future client pitches.
• Keep up to date with influencer developments and identify suitable influencer opportunities for clients.
• Use data and analytics tools, such as Google Analytics, to monitor the return on investment of digital initiatives and suggest improvements.
• Take an active interest in social media trends and discuss them with clients.
• Oversee the monitoring and sharing of coverage across print, online, and social media.
• Attend industry events and maintain relationships with press and industry peers.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision plans.
• 401(k) employer match program.
• Commuter benefits.
• Paid time off, including vacation days, personal days, sick days, and additional comp days.
• Company-wide closure during the last week of the year.
• Ten observed federal holidays.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed