Account Director, Entertainment & Events PR

Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with matching

PTO

Flexible work schedule

Work from Anywhere program

Summer Fridays

Wellness Days

4-week sabbatical for anniversaries

Job summary

A leading global communications agency is seeking an experienced Account Director to join their entertainment and events team in New York. The role requires 8+ years of agency experience, focusing on account leadership, integrated strategy, and media relations. Candidates should have a strong background in managing diverse entertainment accounts and fostering professional growth within their teams. The position offers a salary range of $90,000 to $110,000, along with comprehensive benefits including flexible work options and a commitment to diversity.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of agency or industry experience required.
• At least 2 years in a direct people-management role.
• Deep-rooted relationships with media gatekeepers.

Responsibilities

• Lead diverse entertainment accounts from start to finish.
• Create comprehensive communications plans across various media.
• Mentor and train junior staff across different geographies.

Skills

People Management

Integrated Strategy

Media Authority

Innovative Problem Solving

New Business & Growth

Event Logistics Management

Job description

Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis is a leading global communications agency built to navigate the complexities of a hyper-connected world. We represent the icons and innovators shaping culture—from global heritage corporations and high-growth tech startups to the non-profits, creative legends, and visionary founders who define the global discourse.

Our expertise spans the full cultural spectrum. We operate at the intersection of entertainment, social impact, corporate reputation, and consumer lifestyle, executing seamlessly across traditional media, social-first outlets, brand partnerships, and influencer ecosystems. Whether we are navigating complex crisis management, elevating advocacy campaigns, or launching global consumer brands, we are storytellers at our core.

You may notice our digital presence is purposefully understated. While our clients are global household names, we believe the best work happens when the spotlight stays firmly on those we represent. We fly under the radar by design - preferring to let our campaigns, and our results, speak for themselves.

If you're driven, intentional, and ready to do good, we're ready for you!

We are seeking a strategic, scrappy, and visionary Account Director to join our bi-coastal entertainment and events team. Located in our Los Angeles office, this role is designed for a seasoned leader with 8+ years of experience who thrives on the adrenaline of a premiere, the complexity of a global festival, and the nuance of talent representation. As an Account Director, you are the architect of the narrative. You don’t just manage accounts; you lead them with little-to-no oversight, counseling clients with confidence and motivating your team to over-deliver. We are looking for a powerhouse who is as comfortable pitching a cover story to The Hollywood Reporter as they are rallying an integrated team to build platform-agnostic campaigns that bring our clients' stories to life.

The Role

• Account Leadership: Lead a diverse roster of entertainment accounts (events, film/TV, podcasts, and brands) from start to finish, serving as the primary strategic partner for your clients.
• Integrated Strategy: Architect comprehensive communications plans that live at the intersection of traditional media, digital strategy, brand integration, and talent/influencer ecosystems.
• Media Authority: Leverage a deep, existing network of entertainment and consumer media contacts to secure high-level, impactful placements and big picture profiles.
• People Management: Direct, mentor, and train junior staff across multiple geographies (bi-coastal), fostering a "we, not me" culture while ensuring professional growth within your team.
• Innovative Problem Solving: Proactively bring out-of-the-box ideas to the table—unprompted—to drive offline engagement and online virality.
• New Business & Growth: Partner with senior leadership to craft winning proposals and identify opportunities for agency growth.
• High-Stakes Execution: Oversee large-scale event logistics including red carpets, press conferences, and industry summits, managing talent, vendors, and partners without skipping a beat.

Who You Are

• The Veteran: 8+ years of agency or industry experience, with at least 2 years of experience in a direct people-management role.
• The Connector: You have deep-rooted relationships with the gatekeepers at People, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, and beyond.
• The Strategist: You see the big picture and can translate a client's business goals into a creative, multi-layered media campaign.
• The Mentor: You are passionate about training the next generation of PR professionals and know how to manage a team across different time zones.
• The Generalist Expert: You are excited by the evolution of the industry—fluent in traditional PR but eager to dive into creator culture and digital brand integrations.
• The High-Performer: You are incredibly organized, possess great judgment under fire, and take genuine pride in the quality of your team's output.
• The Road Warrior: Willing to work select evenings/weekends and travel to bring our clients’ biggest moments to life.

$90,000 - $110,000 a year

Benefits x Perks

We go well beyond the benefits that you’re looking for like medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with matching, annual merit-based bonuses, PTO, fertility, FSA for medical, childcare, and commuter expenses. Eligible employees at Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis may access these benefits, along with many additional perks including, a flexible work schedule, Work from Anywhere program, Summer Fridays, Wellness Days, and a 4-week sabbatical or trip to celebrate select anniversaries. We love to socialize so, we have collaborative workspaces, some offices even have rooftops, celebrations, networking opportunities, and community volunteering. We frequently mark opportunities to listen, learn and act throughout the year (Juneteenth, Election Day, International Women’s Day, etc.).

SSM&L is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and ability. We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, identity and expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

There’s more!

From day one, employees are carefully matched with a mentor to guide them on their path to success. Training and mentoring are a big deal here and since we are into promoting from within, we make sure to provide more than enough tools for you to learn and grow. We are proud to offer training throughout the year on topics for professional growth as well as personal growth. We have also developed a series of teaching workshops that are structured for each level of the company. Sunshiners also take love to take advantage of the monthly Meet the Industry series where industry thought leaders provide valuable insider info on how to work with them and their colleagues.