Junior Account Executive - Corporate & Public Affairs

Burson; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 35,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Burson is seeking an Assistant Account Executive to support a portfolio of corporate, consumer, and financial services clients across multiple industries. You will help manage media relations, monitor coverage, and assist with pitches and briefing materials.

The role offers hands-on experience in an agency setting, exposure to senior leadership, and opportunities to contribute to high-impact communications projects within a hybrid work model.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, or a related field.
• 0-1 years of internship or entry-level experience in public relations, communications, corporate affairs, public policy, or an agency environment.
• Strong writing, editing, proofreading, and research skills.
• Understanding of the current media landscape, including national, regional, trade, and digital outlets.
• Familiarity with media monitoring tools such as MuckRack, Brandwatch, NewsWhip, or similar platforms.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting tight deadlines.
• Professional interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and functions.
• Interest in corporate reputation, issues management, and complex communications challenges.

Responsibilities

• Conduct daily media monitoring across national, regional, trade, and digital outlets; prepare and distribute monitoring reports and status updates on consistent timelines.
• Track and flag emerging coverage, trends, and social conversations to support proactive insights development and issue awareness.
• Support media and influencer relations efforts by researching reporters and creators, building and maintaining media lists, and assisting with pitch development.
• Draft and edit communications materials including media pitches, press releases, briefing documents, campaign summaries, status reports, and trend reports under senior guidance.
• Support integrated communications programs across corporate, consumer, and financial services workstreams, including campaign activations and tentpole moments.
• Participate in internal and client meetings, capturing notes, action items, and next steps; contribute ideas and observations when appropriate.
• Assist with research, case studies, and materials for client presentations, new business proposals, pitches, and award submissions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional colleagues and external partners to support high-quality client delivery and day-to-day account coordination.

Skills

Media relations

Research

Writing

Editing

Communication

Project management

Collaboration

Public relations

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, or related field

Tools

MuckRack

Brandwatch

NewsWhip

Job description

Burson is seeking an Assistant Account Executive to support a portfolio of corporate, consumer, and financial services clients across multiple industries. You will help manage media relations, monitor coverage, and assist with pitches and briefing materials.

The role offers hands-on experience in an agency setting, exposure to senior leadership, and opportunities to contribute to high-impact communications projects within a hybrid work model.