Account Director

Company Overview:

Ascent Strategic Communications (Ascent) is a principal-led public relations and strategic communications firm focused on helping clients tell their stories and achieve their business goals.

Our clients span various industries in the B2B and B2C sectors, including healthcare, technology, nonprofit, real estate, restaurant, retail, automotive, and financial services.

While based in Charlotte, NC, Ascent operates across North America, offering fully remote positions.

Position Overview:

The Account Director will play a critical role in overseeing the execution of strategic communication and public relations campaigns for Ascent’s clients.

This role involves direct client management, campaign strategy development, and ensuring the successful implementation of media relations and content-driven initiatives. You will serve as a key point of contact for clients, guiding account teams to achieve client objectives and deliver high-quality results.

Key Responsibilities:

Client Management & Strategy

• Client Relationship Management:
  • Serve as the day-to-day point of contact for assigned clients, building and maintaining strong relationships through regular communication, proactive problem-solving, and a deep understanding of client needs and industries.
  • Lead client meetings, including project kick-offs, status updates, and campaign reviews, ensuring alignment on goals, progress, and next steps.
  • Collaborate with clients to develop comprehensive PR and communication strategies that support their business objectives and enhance brand reputation.
  • Track client expenses and any hourly tracking relevant for monthly invoicing
• Strategic Campaign Oversight:
  • Lead the development and execution of integrated PR campaigns, including media relations, content creation, social media strategy, and influencer partnerships.
  • Oversee and support the creation of key communications materials, such as press releases, blog posts, media pitches, and messaging frameworks, ensuring quality and consistency with client brand standards.
  • Craft tailored media strategies, identifying key media outlets, and leveraging Ascent’s media relationships to secure coverage.
• Performance Monitoring & Reporting:
  • Track and analyze campaign performance, providing actionable insights and strategic recommendations to clients.
  • Prepare regular reports that demonstrate ROI and progress towards client goals, translating data into clear narratives for client presentations.
  • Adjust tactics as needed based on performance data, media trends, and client feedback to optimize results.

Team Leadership & Development

• Team Oversight:
  • Manage and mentor Account Managers and Account Executives, providing day-to-day guidance and support to ensure project deadlines and client expectations are met.
  • Foster a collaborative team environment, encouraging knowledge sharing and creative problem-solving.
  • Conduct and/or participate in regular team check-ins, providing feedback and coaching to support professional development.
• Project Management & Coordination:
  • Coordinate with internal creative and digital teams to ensure smooth project execution, from initial planning through to final deliverables.
  • Manage timelines and resources to meet multiple project deadlines across client accounts.
  • Oversee coordination with external vendors, such as graphic designers, videographers, and freelance writers.

Industry Expertise & Innovation

• Client Advocacy & Trend Analysis:
  • Stay up to date with industry trends, emerging media opportunities, and best practices in public relations and digital communications.
  • Provide strategic counsel to clients based on industry insights.
  • Champion client needs within Ascent, ensuring their feedback is considered in the development of new service offerings.
• Media Relations & Thought Leadership:
  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with media contacts across client-relevant industries.
  • Lead efforts to position clients as thought leaders through targeted media outreach, speaking engagements, and content opportunities.
  • Act as a brand ambassador for Ascent, attending industry events and building relationships that enhance Ascent’s reputation in the market.

Expectations & Skills:

• 5-9 years of experience in public relations, strategic communications, or a related field, with a focus on client management and campaign strategy.
• Proven success in managing and executing integrated PR and communications campaigns that achieve measurable results.
• Strong writing and editing skills, with experience crafting compelling press releases, media pitches, and content for various platforms.
• Excellent organizational and time management abilities, with a track record of managing multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with clients, team members, and media professionals.
• Comfortability with nuance and ambiguity, seeking to bring clarity and forward movement to every client and team engagement
• Proficiency with media monitoring and reporting tools such as Prowly

Success Measures:

• Client Satisfaction: High levels of client satisfaction, demonstrated through positive feedback and account renewals.
• Account Performance: Achievement of account and project KPIs.
• Team Leadership: Positive feedback from direct reports and successful execution of project timelines and deliverables.
• Cultural Alignment: Respects and upholds Ascent’s values and works toward our greater vision: making the working world more kind. 

Location: Remote, with occasional travel for client meetings or team retreats. 

Pay & Benefits: This position includes a salary range of $70,000 – $80,000, depending on experience.

• Additional benefits include health and dental insurance, including two low-deductible plans with an option for one with 100% of the employee’s premium covered.
• Other benefits include Short-Term Disability Insurance, 401k contributions, Flexible Saving Accounts, Wellness Stipend, and a generous paid time off policy. 

Application Instructions: Please send a resume and a representation of your work (i.e. online portfolio or PDF including past campaigns, reports, writing samples) to careers@ascentcomms.com 

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