Senior Account Executive

ERM•Sacramento, CA

19d•$85,000 - $104,000•Hybrid

About The Position

ERM is seeking a Senior Account Executive, Reputation Management, to help grow its strategic communications offering, which now includes Reputation Management. This role is part of the ERM Marketing Communications Agency (ERM MCA) and will work with clients globally, leveraging the technical expertise of ERM specialists. The Senior Account Executive will be responsible for developing and delivering integrated communications strategies to help clients prepare for, respond to, and recover from reputational challenges. The ideal candidate will be an expert client manager with at least 4 years of experience in a corporate PR agency environment, with a strong track record in media relations and a good understanding of how journalists operate. This role will also support the emerging practice through trend tracking and business development, playing a key part in ensuring clients maximize their reach in an era where AI is reshaping information dissemination.

Requirements

Proven experience in delivering integrated, multi-channel sustainability PR programs for clients across sectors and geographies.
Hands-on experience with earned media, including demonstrable relationships with journalists.
Ability to develop and execute proactive media strategies, including story mining, positioning, and tailored pitching approaches for top-tier and trade media.
Demonstrate sound strategic judgment and the ability to connect media activity to broader business, reputation, and stakeholder objectives.
Strong understanding of media monitoring tools (e.g., Signal AI, Meltwater) and how to use insights to inform strategy.
Excellent writing and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft clear, concise, and compelling content.
Experience working in a fast-paced sustainability communications agency environment, ideally with a focus on B2B clients across sectors such as finance, manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, or technology.
A collaborative, proactive mindset with the ability to work independently and as part of a cross-functional team; willingness to work across time zones.
Ability to present ideas and recommendations effectively, in an engaging, confidence-building manner – both in prepared presentations and extemporaneously in client meetings.
Minimum 4 years’ experience in corporate communications, preferably in an agency setting.
Requires a 4-year degree (e.g., Bachelor of Arts) or equivalent degree within appropriate discipline such as Business, Marketing, or Communications.

Nice To Haves

Experience in risk and crisis communications.
Experience in agency-side corporate sustainability PR and media.
Sense of humor appreciated.

Responsibilities

Act as a core member of the Reputation Management team, which is part of the larger ERM MCA Account team.
Develop and deliver earned media strategies aligned with client objectives; create media lists, track coverage; leverage tools and AI platforms; build and maintain trusted relationships with journalists and influencers.
Engage in broader reputation management strategies including monitoring emerging reputation risks and stakeholder sentiment, supporting rapid response and issues management planning, and tracking evolving media, policy, and AI-driven reputation trends.
Identify and act on timely news moments, translating complex sustainability topics into relevant, media-ready commentary.
Manage multiple accounts, deadlines, and competing priorities with attention to detail.
Analyze earned media performance and communicate insights and recommendations to clients.
Anticipate client needs, identify opportunities, and proactively recommend solutions.
Assist in the development of messaging, media strategy, and crisis communications, risk narratives, Q&A documents, and stakeholder communications including preparing responses to industry issues on behalf of clients.
Present ideas and recommendations effectively, in an engaging, confidence-building manner, both in prepared presentations and extemporaneously in client meetings.
Be a collaborative and productive team member who is willing to go above and beyond to ensure results for clients and ERM.
Contribute to new business opportunities, including research and proposal drafts.
Identify opportunities for organic growth within existing accounts.
Support agency leadership in expanding service offerings and market presence.
Maintain strong relationships with key media, influencers, and industry stakeholders.
Provide input on media strategy, storytelling, and thought leadership; demonstrate an understanding of clients’ market and business sectors and their specific challenges and opportunities.
Stay ahead of industry trends and integrate them into client strategies.
Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with agency standards.