Account Executive, PR (Milwaukee or Chicago Location)

Laughlin Constable; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Laughlin Constable in Milwaukee is seeking an Account Executive for our Public Relations team. You’ll advance client work from proposals through execution, guiding internal teams under senior leadership and helping manage budgets, timelines, and measurable results.

You’ll strengthen relationships through proactive strategy and strong storytelling, contributing to organic growth and new business opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in PR or related field.
• 3–5 years of progressive agency/communications experience.
• Strong understanding of strategic communications planning and evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and execution of integrated PR projects from proposals to results.
• Own key workstreams including strategy memos, presentations, media materials and negotiations.
• Identify client opportunities and communicate thoughtful ideas and recommendations.
• Help manage budgets, timelines, and measures of value or return.
• Lead internal and client meetings with clear follow-up and accountability.
• Build media relationships and translate developments into client opportunities.
• Lead event research, vendor coordination, and onsite execution.
• Guide less-experienced team members on smaller assignments.

Skills

Account management

Public relations

Budget management

Client relations

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Relations

Tools

Microsoft Office

Muck Rack

Canva

Adobe

Microsoft Copilot

Job description

Laughlin Constable is looking for an Account Executive to join our Public Relations team. This opportunity is ideal for a PR professional who has built a strong foundation in an entry-level role and is ready to take greater ownership of client work. You will lead projects of increasing size and complexity, guide internal teams under senior leadership, help manage budgets and timelines, and strengthen client relationships through proactive thinking, strategic recommendations, and excellent execution. You will also contribute to organic growth and new business opportunities across the agency.

What You’ll Do

• Support the development and execution of integrated PR projects, from proposals and presentations through implementation and results reporting.
• Own key workstreams including strategy memos, presentations, news materials, media pitching documents, influencer research, and contract negotiations.
• Identify client opportunities and challenges, then communicate thoughtful ideas, solutions, and recommendations.
• Help develop and manage project budgets, billing, invoicing, timelines, and measures of value or return.
• Lead organized internal and client meetings, contribute strategic counsel, and ensure clear follow-up and accountability.
• Build media relationships, monitor news cycles, and translate relevant developments into opportunities for clients.
• Lead event research, ideation, vendor coordination, logistics, and onsite execution.
• Serve as the PR liaison on integrated agency teams, keeping partners informed of PR inputs, needs, and opportunities.
• Guide less-experienced team members and lead smaller, shorter-term, or less-complex assignments.
• Support client growth through organic opportunities, prospecting, and new business proposals.
• Provide flexible crisis communications support when urgent client needs arise.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, strategic communications, journalism, marketing, public policy, political science, or a related field.
• Approximately 3–5 years of progressive experience in an agency, media, or communications environment.
• Understanding of strategic communications planning, including research, stakeholders, goals, strategy, creative tactics, reporting, and evaluation.
• Experience working directly with clients or external stakeholders and engaging with media professionals.
• Knowledge of media, influencer marketing, crisis communications, public affairs, and the integrated marketing landscape.
• Demonstrated ownership, accountability, resourcefulness, and sound judgment in handling complex work.
• Ability to understand project scope, fees, expenses, budgets, and financial updates.
• Interest and growing ability to coach and motivate less-experienced colleagues.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; experience with Muck Rack, Canva, Adobe, Claude, or Microsoft Copilot is a plus.

Why Laughlin Constable?

At Laughlin Constable, our work is powered by people who lead with heart, stay resilient, and create meaningful change for clients and communities. We value respect, integrity, diversity, collaboration, and ideas that make a lasting impact. If you are ready to grow your PR career with a tight-knit, integrated agency team, we would like to hear from you.

Ready to Apply?

Bring your strategic thinking, media instincts, client-service mindset, and passion for exceptional execution to Laughlin Constable. Apply today and help us create meaningful change.

Laughlin Constable is an equal opportunity employer and participates in E-Verify. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.