Public Relations Account Director - AI/Emerging Tech

The Director will work with the Practice Group Leader (PGL) as a trusted partner in overseeing accounts and pitching new business.

This position will successfully manage teams to deliver great results for a portfolio of clients.

• Serve as the trusted partner for the PGL managing the practice group. Represent the PGL when needed and liaise with clients on their behalf.
• Deliver exceptional media results for clients by leveraging your media contacts.
• Develop and run a portfolio of clients where you are seen by the client as team lead and oversee all long-term and day-to-day activity. Responsible for keeping things running smoothly on all accounts, ensuring deadlines and quality of work expectations are met.
• Interact with all levels of client contacts from day-to-day marketing contacts to the CEO, and be seen as a solid counselor.
• Active, hands-on participation in success of accounts, including media relations.
• Strong industry relationships with media, analysts and other influencers
• Responsible for strategic planning on various accounts including development of overall PR strategy, and plan and proposal development.
• Manage team resources and effectively coordinate work both up and down within teams as issues arise. Meet or exceed agreed upon business unit metrics, including revenue and billability goals.
• Oversee budgeting, invoicing and time management. Proactively communicate when team budgets are over/under and work with PLM to rollover/upsell clients.
• Define success, set agreed upon metrics and consistently look for opportunities to merchandise results back to clients.
• Offer a daily presence for junior staff and provide day-to-day coaching and mentoring, as well as long-term professional development.
• Drive new business pitches, rallying resources from start to finish, including research, brainstorming and program creation. Effectively present at new business meetings and pitches.

• Technical, understands AI or complex tech concepts
• Media relations heavy, focused on top-tier outlets
• Sales-savvy: Ability to drive new business
• Active with AI tools, can automate workflow
• Strong written and communication skills
• Prior agency experience

• Ability to transition effortlessly from visionary planner to hands-on executor as situations demand it
• Broad client experience across technology, business and consumer brands
• Extensive experience in identifying and pursuing new business opportunities
• Ability to evaluate campaign results against objectives
• A team-player with strong leadership qualities, as well as capacity to effectively manage a team
• Strong written and communication skills
• At least seven years of progressive experience

Why Work At Spark?

• Spark covers 95-100% of health, dental, and vision for our employees
• You can also count on a company managed 401K, Flexible Spending Accounts, and monthly cell-phone subsidy.

From startups to Fortune 20 members, Spark specializes in helping technology-focused and innovation-minded companies transform their brands by bringing powerful narratives to life through public relations and integrated marketing programs.

The agency’s full suite of services includes content and social development, programmatic distribution and other forms of paid media, and data-driven insights to inform strategic planning and measure go to market plans.

Spark also provides comprehensive strategic communications & marketing services for blockchain and cryptocurrency leaders.

From guiding successful token sales to growing companies post-ICO, Spark has emerged as the preferred partner for these highly specialized services across the globe.

Spark’s clients are some of the world’s most innovative startups and industry leaders.

Please review our website and peruse the variety of brands we have worked with over the years.

Ranked on the 2021 Forbes Best PR Agencies list, Spark has also been honored by Business Intelligence Group as a Best Place to Work.

Previous awards include Bulldog Reporter’s Awards for Best New Product Launch and Best General Business Campaign as well as SABRE Awards for Software and Services.

Spark was also honored as the Public Relations Agency of the Year by PR World in 2017.

Spark was founded by Donna (Sokolsky) Burke and Christine Hempel in 1999 at the height of the Internet explosion in Silicon Valley.

Fresh off their corporate careers at Netscape where they helped launch the first browser that gave millions access to the Internet, Donna and Christine were well equipped to create a new-economy communications agency.

Imagine getting to learn from industry experts that have been involved in launching so many world changing technologies!

We are excited to explore new opportunities with you!

Spark Public Relations is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity.

Spark PR does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law.

All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need.

Spark offers a competitive pay range of $100,000 to $130,000 per year for this position.

The actual pay for the position will be determined based on, but not limited to, the candidate's location, relevant experience, qualifications, education, performance and revenue based metrics.

This range reflects one of the many factors that are included in Spark’s total compensation package.

Including, but not limited to, 95% insurance contribution from Spark, flexible PTO and a fully remote work environment.