PR Account Manager

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A PUBLIC RELATIONS AGENCY ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT POSITION, NOT A SALES OR MARKETING ROLE. PLEASE DO NOT APPLY UNLESS YOUR ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE IS SPECIFIC TO PUBLIC RELATIONS WITHIN AN AGENCY ENVIRONMENT WITH B2B EXPERIENCE.

Job Summary:

Kickstand, a global, full-service PR firm, is looking for an experienced Account Manager (AM) to join its team. The ideal candidate will have at least 6+ years of public relations experience, including at least one year of serving in an account oversight role, and at least one year of technology account management experience in an agency environment.

This is an opportunity to join a fast-growing agency and serve in a leadership position across a variety of client accounts. Candidates should be tech-loving self-starters looking to take the next step in their career. We're helping the next generation of innovative technology companies around the globe get to market and grow. This position offers the opportunity to help build something new and exciting. Something that matters.

The successful Account Manager has a proactive nature, enthusiasm and drive. They offer an extensive knowledge of business and tech media and understand how their clients play in the space. They understand and can effectively communicate complex technology concepts. They have a strong work ethic, and a knack for organization and attention to detail, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks on an ongoing basis. They excel in building relationships with clients and developing junior talent and possess excellent interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities:

In this role, you will work with clients and internal team members to ensure consistent client success, leading multiple accounts and providing mentorship and direction to junior teammates. This is a full-time position based in Boston or New York areas and candidates that apply should be based in the Boston or New York areas as well even though this is a remote position as there will be in-person meetings at different times throughout the year.

Client Management:

• Day-to-day contact for a variety of agency accounts, both consumer and B2B
• Develop and maintain positive, long-term relationships with clients
• Understand clients’ business and objectives, and offer counsel and strategic recommendations that reflects understanding
• Ensure consistent account performance against all defined KPIs, overseeing communication of results and providing analysis
• Ensure speed and accuracy across all client correspondence
• Work closely with leadership team to regularly review account performance and identify opportunities for account growth
• Support new business efforts, aiding in content creation and presentation preparation, and attending meetings as needed

Account Management:

• Support account strategy development and needed refinement over the course of client relationship
• Oversee all client activities, ensuring delivery against deadlines and consistent success against defined goals and KPIs
• Lead client calls and meetings, providing clear few of all account activity and progress against goals
• Provide leadership and oversight of media relations efforts, ensuring consistent proactive pitching and identifying and managing reactive news opportunities
• Ensure consistent execution of all client processes including weekly calls, updates, quarterly reports, briefings, etc. and internal processes including news reporting, weekly staff updates, etc.
• Regularly contribute ideas for media relations, content and campaigns
• Oversee drafting of and edit short and long-form content, including press releases, blog posts, press kits, messaging, briefing sheets
• Oversee successful execution of client campaigns, including research and content creation

Team Management and Internal Support:

• Provide leadership and direction to junior team members, finding and supporting opportunities for personal and career development
• Establish trust among direct reports, working with junior team members to maximize strengths and improve areas of weakness
• Show total willingness to provide feedback and answer team questions
• Monitors team activity on accounts and aid in prioritization of tasks to align with client goals and metrics
• Acts as a steward of the Kickstand brand, aiding in recruitment and retention of junior talent

General:

• Support development and growth of a strong agency culture by actively participating in team outings and engagement opportunities, including team brainstorms, trainings and planning sessions
• Consistently demonstrate creative problem solving and contribute to continuous improvement of systems, processes and policies
• Offer ideas and show proactive ownership of Kickstand company initiatives (cultural, operational, etc.)
• Consistently looks for opportunities to build and promote the Kickstand brand

Requirements

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• B2B Experience
• Proven track record of PR success (media and influencer outreach, client relations, program management, writing, etc.)
• Extensive knowledge of print, broadcast and digital media
• A passion for technology and working with high-growth startups, both B2B and B2C
• Excellent client management skills, including day-to-day management and counsel across accounts
• Ability to build and deliver client reports, including the mastery of several tools
• Ability to deliver to tight deadlines and remain calm under pressure
• Excellent communication skills (written and spoken)
• Time management and organization
• Attention to detail
• Positive, constructive attitude
• Polished and professional

Required Education and Experience:

• Undergraduate degree
• 6+ years of PR experience; 2-3+ years of experience in a tech-focused agency strongly preferred
• At least 1 year of account management experience in an agency environment
• Proven success managing multiple accounts
• Experience working with technology companies
• Experience managing junior talent
• Experience with PR tools/databases, such as CisionPoint, TrendKite, etc.
• Digital experience including work with InDesign, creation of visual assets, work in Google Analytics not required, but a plus
• Experience conducting or working with market research not required, but a plus
• We strongly prefer candidates from the Austin, Boston, San Francisco, and Denver markets.

Benefits

What's in it for you:

• An opportunity to join a high-growth agency and help it continue to scale
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, vision
• 401K + company matching
• Monthly wellness and social stipends
• Continuing education benefits
• Family planning grants, paid maternity and paternity leave, and working parent stipends
• Generous paid time off, including an on-call schedule for end of the year
• Once eligible, alternate Fridays off
• Real, meaningful work with exciting technology clients around the world
• Regular team outings
• Flexible work schedule - 100% remote.
• Real opportunity for advancement in a high-growth firm
  

Starting Salary is $85,000 per year

Kickstand Communications is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Additionally, we provide equal employment opportunities to all and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.