Freelance Consumer PR Senior Account Director

M+C Saatchi Group•New York, NY

About The Position

M+C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment is seeking an experienced Senior Account Director to join our Consumer PR team on a fixed-term maternity leave contract from January 2027 through approximately August 2027. This role is ideal for a strategic communications leader who can quickly step into a fast-paced client portfolio, provide senior counsel, lead integrated communications programs, and manage teams with confidence and autonomy. The successful candidate will bring deep experience across consumer brands, earned media, influencer marketing, and integrated campaigns, along with a strong understanding of culture and the evolving media landscape. As a Senior Account Director, you will be responsible for overseeing multiple accounts, driving strategic thinking, maintaining senior client relationships, mentoring teams, and ensuring flawless execution across all workstreams. You will serve as a trusted advisor to clients and a key leader within the agency during this coverage period.

Requirements

8-12+ years of agency experience in public relations, integrated communications, or marketing communications
Proven experience leading consumer communications programs for national and global brands
Strong earned media background with demonstrated success securing high-impact coverage
Experience managing multiple client relationships simultaneously
Track record of developing and leading high-performing teams
Strong financial management experience, including budgeting and forecasting
Excellent presentation, communication, and writing skills

Nice To Haves

Experience leading communications programs for spirits and beverage brands
Creator marketing experience
Sport experience
Music experience

Responsibilities

Act as a senior strategic leader across multiple client accounts
Confidently lead client relationships and provide day-to-day senior counsel
Mentor, coach, and develop junior and mid-level team members
Collaborate effectively with agency leadership and cross-functional teams
Demonstrate strong commercial acumen and understanding of account profitability
Bring a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset and ability to navigate complex challenges
Maintain exceptional organizational skills while managing concurrent priorities
Stay connected to culture, trends, media, creator ecosystems, and emerging platforms
Lead strategic development and execution of integrated communications campaigns from planning through delivery
Serve as senior day-to-day client lead across assigned accounts
Provide ongoing strategic counsel across communications, culture, earned media, creators, partnerships, and brand storytelling
Identify opportunities that drive client business objectives and proactively recommend solutions
Develop integrated plans and creative communications ideas rooted in cultural relevance
Manage and mentor account teams, fostering growth, accountability, and collaboration
Delegate responsibilities appropriately while maintaining oversight of all deliverables
Ensure project timelines, budgets, staffing plans, and workflows are managed effectively
Support team development through regular feedback, coaching, and problem-solving
Maintain strong relationships with top-tier consumer, lifestyle, business, entertainment, and trade media
Lead media strategy and oversee execution of proactive and reactive communications programs
Guide development of press materials including messaging, media strategies, briefing documents, executive thought leadership content, and press releases
Oversee media relations efforts to secure impactful coverage and meaningful storytelling opportunities
Oversee account finances, including budgeting, forecasting, fee management, and reconciliation
Ensure teams maintain strong account management fundamentals, including status reporting, budget tracking, timelines, and project documentation
Establish campaign KPIs and ensure measurement frameworks are in place to demonstrate impact
Identify potential account challenges and proactively develop solutions