VP, Account Director (PR)

Our client is looking for a VP, Account Director to join their team who would be working on a financial client.

· Client and Account Management

o Lead the account planning and supervision for major accounts with specialized expertise in the category; serve as a strategic liaison to clients, account team and agency management; lead client meetings and planning sessions; lead internal account team strategy sessions and the corresponding development, planning and execution of client media strategies

o Proactively generate winning ideas and opportunities to support client objectives and stories; anticipate client needs and prepare in advance, troubleshooting clients’ problems as they arise; ensure that all accounts are strategically on target with clients’ business objectives

o Maintain a thorough understanding of clients’ businesses and industries; actively follow and understand emerging issues, trends and news impacting your clients’ business, and proactively advise the team and client regarding how best to leverage or address these developments; entertain clients appropriately to cement relationships and better understand their business, strategy and goals

o Moderate media interviews; lead media training for clients; initiate implementation of media events such as press conferences, briefings and media tours; serve as the senior on-site agency contact for clients’ events

o Continue to generate client thought leadership opportunities; maintain existing relationships with high-level media, journalists and influencers

· Team Leadership:

o Oversee the management and tracking of staff allocation and account financials (budget allocation and control, time sheets, client billing, supplier invoicing and purchase orders); work with finance team to ensure client budgets are comprehensive, actual costs are monitored and approved, and billed account receivables are collected in a timely manner

o Manage, provide mentorship, and delegate to junior staff on a day-to-day basis (Account Directors and below); ensure that the team continues to drive results for clients

o Manage up to account and practice leads regarding progress on deliverables, media outreach processes, and actively offer solutions to pivot where needed or enhance the project

· Business Development:

o Work closely with senior leadership across the global tech team on new business proposal development

o Deliver new business presentations as part of the global tech team

o Actively seek new business revenue streams with existing clients

o Help train junior team members to get their new business presentation skills up to speed

What You Have to Have (Education and Experience Requirements):

· 10+ years of experience serving in a full-time role either in a public relations agency or the communications department of a company in a relevant industry

· Deep expertise working with and a passion for financial services brands

· Superior oral and written communication skills; advanced proofreading and editing ability

· Demonstrable record of contributing to winning new business, including the cultivation of strong client relationships

· Demonstrated proficiency and affinity for digital tools and platforms

· Experience supervising and providing guidance to junior staffers; strong team building and mentorship aptitude; effectively develops and retains staff; reinforce the importance and value of each team member’s contributions

· Proven track record for providing and selling in highly strategic counsel/recommendations to clients; ability to handle crisis response and issues management

· Exposure to large-scale industry events and helping tech brands differentiate

· Ability to travel as necessary contingent on client and new business needs (requirements vary)

· Creative skills and passion for moving the needle for clients is a must

· Analyst relations and investor relations experience preferred but not mandatory

Synergy Interactive