Communications Account Director - NYC Or WDC

New York, NY or Washington, DC

Communications Account DirectorLocation: New York, NY or Washington, DC
General Purpose of the Position

• Following Kellen Best Practices, the Account Director develops the strategy for Kellen’s association and corporate client accounts, and has oversight for the development, integration, and implementation of a broad range of communication activities designed to promote, enhance and protect client organizations’ brand reputation, or bring awareness to products, events, etc. Manages a team of communications professionals.*

Essential Functions

• *Communications Strategy and Leadership
• Develops and oversees integrated strategic communications plans, including key messages, to advance clients’ brand identify; broaden awareness of programs and priorities; and increase the visibility of programs across key stakeholders’ audiences.
• Develops strategic communications and marketing plans for specific events and products; evaluates progress and continued alignment with overall communication strategy, goals, and objectives; course corrects as necessary. Liaises with clients’ Boards, committees, and volunteers, serving as senior communications counselor.
• Identifies challenges and emerging issues facing client organizations and works with clients to recognize internal and external communications opportunities and solutions and defines and executes appropriate strategies to support them.
• Manages clients’ profitability according to company guidelines and metrics, and works with
• Finance to produce regular client forecasts, analyses, and staff utilization reports.

Business Development

• Proactively identifies additional services, in alignment with existing clients’ communications strategies that can proposed and provided to clients.
• Develops proposals for new clients and participates in new business pitches.

Marketing and Communications Operations

• Develops and executes communication plans for collateral and marketing efforts including event materials, training, membership campaigns, digital and print ads, annual reports, communications for email and landing pages, social media, general web copy, phone scripts, etc. Ensures consistent client voice across all communications channels.
• Develops marketing collateral—from writing compelling copy to production through delivery.
• Develops social media strategies and oversees management of client social media channels (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, etc.).
• Serves as project manager for day-to-day marketing projects of assigned clients.

Manages PR efforts including communications calendar, messaging, media relations, event marketing; designs and issues media advisories and press releases.

• Identifies, secures, and manages speaking and thought leadership initiatives for clients; creates talking points and other key press materials to create consistent messaging.

Manages ad hoc projects, such as website redesign, rebranding efforts, magazine redesign, digital ad campaigns, etc.

• Leverage internal and external marketing insights to optimize strategy and communication initiatives.
• Develops strong internal relationships with other Kellen functions to collaborate on marketing initiatives to meet Kellen and clients’ goals. Team Leadership
• Administers and manages policies, procedures, standards, and practices of department to ensure effective and consistent operations.
• Recruits, hires, trains, supervises, coaches, and evaluates assigned employees according to Kellen’s policies and procedures, ensuring the overall effective functioning of the department, and consulting appropriate Human Resources staff as indicated.
• Provides guidance and direction for development of employees to improve the overall professionalism of the department and the company.
• Performs standard supervisory administrative duties including weekly scheduling, time sheets, expense reports, etc.
• Ensures satisfaction of team’s clients and works with client team to resolve client-level issues and ensure ongoing profitability.
• May develop and maintain ‘Kellen Best Practices'.
• May develop professional development tools for Communications staff members.
• Ensures alignment of team to Kellen’s mission, vision, and organizational goals.
• Other duties that align with the mission and vision of the company

Qualifications

• Bachelors’ degree in journalism, communication, public relations, marketing, or other related discipline.
• 8 to 10 years’ experience in a communication role. Agency experience highly desired.
• Demonstrated experience and leadership in managing comprehensive, strategic communications, media relations, and marketing programs, to advance an organization’s mission and goals.
• Strong leadership experience with the ability to positively manage and motivate a team.
• Demonstrated skill and comfort in proactively building relationships with top tier reporters and editors, and in successfully positioning subject matter with the media to achieve high-impact placements.
• Polished verbal and interpersonal skills, including conflict resolution; ability to diplomatically challenge the status quo with a logical argument in support of the change with an understanding of the risks involved and/or downside.
• Demonstrated writing excellence when crafting press releases, media advisories, product messaging, blog posts, talking points, et al.
• Strong media relations/storytelling skills – proven track record of generating coverage for products and services.
• Strong computer skills with proficiency in spreadsheet, word-processing, database, and presentation software applications.
• Ability to interface with executive leadership, establish credibility and build effective relationships.
• Strong customer service orientation and the ability to interact effectively with staff at all levels of the organization.
• Creative and strategic thinker with the ability to set priorities based on customer needs and organizational priorities and preferences, and develop solutions to client challenges.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to effectively manage through change and transition.
• Knowledge of social and digital media best practices.
• Energetic and self-motivated team player who is accountable for initiating and managing projects through to completion with minimal direction.
• Strong eye for detail.
• Excellent ‘pitch’ and presentations skills.
• Proactive and collaborative working style with ability to function as part of a cohesive team.
• Agile learner with a growth mindset and ability to stay abreast of client industry trends and assimilate new job related information appropriately.
• Working knowledge of associations and professional societies highly desired.

Supervision Exercised

• *Supervises a team of Communications professionals and carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Physical Demands

• *This job operates in an office environment. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, telephones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
• This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing is required; this would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand as necessary.
• This position requires frequent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• This position requires basic math skills to calculate formulas, commissions, discounts, etc.
• Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds.

Travel Requirements

• *Travel may be necessary, up to 25% of the time and may be by travel by air, car, or rail.

Kellen EEO Statement

• *Kellen does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. We adhere to these principles in all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, compensation, promotion, benefits, social and recreational programs, and discipline. In addition, it is the policy of Kellen to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified employees who have protected disabilities to the extent required by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances where a particular employee works.

Job Type: Full-time