Account Director – Corporate & Financial Communications

Overview: WE Communications is looking for an Account Director with strong corporate and financial communications experience to join our team. This position will be responsible for leading day-to-day client management and satisfaction for small handful of accounts including playing a strategic role supporting one of the world’s largest silicon companies.
The ideal candidate is a seasoned communicator with broad financial credentials including providing counsel and driving communications for quarterly earnings and other cyclical moments, strategic transactions, public offerings and fund raising. We are looking for an Account Director who also has experience in executive communications and is comfortable counseling senior clients on a variety of issues as well as planning, managing and executing on earned and owned media programs.
You are a trusted client advisor who knows how to skillfully navigate complex business environments and is progressive in bringing clients strategic counsel, creative ideas for driving business impact and established media relationships to give voice to your client’s story. You have excellent presentation skills and know how to bring complex ideas to life. You know how to communicate a brand’s story in a way that shows broader impact both inside and outside the industry. Collaborating across teams is second nature.Responsibilities: Job Functions:

• Grow, manage, and maintain senior level client relationships

• Support communications planning and execution of corporate, executive platform and product campaigns that span owned, earned, paid media strategies
• Provide counsel and execution support for quarterly earnings reporting process including release development, script feedback, tough Q&A preparation, media strategy, and reporting and analysis
• Provide counsel and execution support for clients’ financial transactions, including but not limited to IPOs, spin-offs, mergers, acquisitions, fund raising rounds, etc.
• Provide ad hoc crisis counsel to clients as well as proactively engaging to stay ahead of emerging issues

• Lead/own projects that demonstrate strategic planning and creative thinking as well as drive news and business impact
• Leverage existing, and grow new relationships with range of influencers, including media, analysts and 3rd party advocates on behalf of clients; solicit and share feedback/perception from media and influencers regarding client(s) competition and position in the industry
• Pursue and coordinate cross-account/practice and global business opportunities
• Lead preparation and delivery of organic growth or new business proposal content and in person pitch meetings
• Contribute to agency strategic planning initiatives
• Develop budget/utilization management and resourcing skills
• Manage career development and performance of direct reports, managing up to senior staff on crisis issues, and client/team satisfaction while holding the team accountable to demonstrating agency values
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications: Minimum/Preferred Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, English or related field is preferred, or the equivalent knowledge and/or experience. Master’s degree preferred.
• 5-7 + years of experience in integrated communications or PR, preferably in an agency setting and/or within a corporate environment; 4 + years of management experience required
• Global network experience preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (particularly Outlook, Word, SharePoint, PowerPoint and Excel)

Additional Requirements:

• High level of analysis and strategic recommendations based on industry knowledge
• High level of initiative; take accountability for role on projects
• Demonstrated creative and strategic mindset
• Has established editor and/or analyst relationships and has proactively placed stories
• Made presentations to groups of all sizes; pitched new business
• Experience developing a team from the ground up
• Client and business environment: Customer service orientation is a must. Job pressure may exist from requirement of handling multiple tasks
• Experience working globally or with colleagues in multiple locations
• Fast-paced team environment (frequent tight deadlines, multitasking, etc.)
• Strong presentation and consulting skills along with the ability to read, write and speak English
• May need to work more than 40 hours per week on occasion

Equal Opportunity Statement: Equal Opportunity: WE provides equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate against an employee or applicant because of age, race, color, religion, gender, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, or other legally protected class status.

Diversity and Inclusion: WE values a diverse and inclusive workforce and is committed to creating a workplace where everyone thrives. We promote an atmosphere in which diversity of people and ideas are welcomed and valued. Diversity includes differences in race, religion, gender identity or expression, age, lifestyle, ethnic background and sexual orientation as well as differences in experiences and ideas.