Public Relations Account Supervisor

JConnelly; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Reimbursement Account

Life Insurance & AD&D

ESOP

401(k) Match

Disability & Critical IllnessInsurance

Health Advocate

Pet care consultations

Job summary

JConnelly in New York seeks an Account Supervisor to lead integrated client relationships, shape strategic campaigns, and drive media results while guiding junior staff.

You will manage day-to-day client activity, provide senior-level counsel, and collaborate across digital, AI-enabled workflows, and crisis communications to support growth and reputation for key accounts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
• 4–6+ years of experience in public relations, strategic communications, media relations, journalism, corporate communications, or related fields.
• Proven experience managing client relationships and leading integrated communications programs.
• Strong media relations skills with demonstrated success securing impactful coverage and executive visibility opportunities.
• Excellent writing, editing, strategic thinking, and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated leadership ability, sound judgment, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with ability to manage multiple priorities independently.
• Experience mentoring or managing junior team members preferred.
• Commercial awareness and interest in agency growth and client development.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, social media platforms, and digital collaboration tools.
• Experience with PR analytics and media intelligence platforms such as Cision, Meltwater, Muck Rack, TrendKite, Sprout Social, Hootsuite, Factiva, LexisNexis, or similar tools.
• Familiarity with AI-enabled communications, research, and productivity tools strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting crisis communications or reputation management initiatives preferred.
• Ability to work flexible hours during high-priority client situations when needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day management of significant client accounts and act as trusted client counsel.
• Develop and oversee integrated communications strategies, PR plans, and executive visibility initiatives.
• Provide strategic counsel across reputation management, media strategy, and stakeholder communications.
• Identify opportunities to expand client relationships and support organic account growth.
• Demonstrate advanced media relations capabilities with broad media networks.
• Secure high-profile media opportunities and executive interviews.
• Lead media preparation efforts including briefing documents and messaging guidance.
• Support crisis communications and reputation management initiatives.

Skills

Client leadership

Media relations

Writing & editing

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Project management

Relationship building

AI fluency

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Cision/Meltwater

Muck Rack

TrendKite

Sprout Social

LexisNexis

Job description

The Account Supervisor is a mid-level communications leader responsible for independently managing integrated client relationships, leading strategic communications initiatives, driving high-impact media results, and contributing to agency growth and team development. This role combines strong client counsel, media expertise, operational leadership, and business acumen with a modern understanding of digital communications, AI-enabled workflows, and evolving media landscapes.

The Account Supervisor leads day-to-day management of significant client accounts and serves as a trusted advisor to clients while mentoring junior team members and contributing to broader agency initiatives, including networking, relationship development, and new business support. This individual should demonstrate strong strategic thinking, excellent communication skills, leadership potential, and the ability to operate confidently in fast-moving and high-pressure environments.

This role is ideal for a highly proactive communications professional with diverse experiences, intellectual curiosity, strong emotional intelligence, and an interest in growing into senior leadership and business development responsibilities over time.

Key Responsibilities

Client Leadership & Strategic Counsel

• Independently lead and manage approximately $300K–$600K in client account revenue and related communications programs
• Serve as the lead day-to-day client contact across assigned accounts, building trusted relationships through responsiveness, strategic thinking, and sound judgment
• Lead client calls, meetings, planning discussions, and ongoing account communications
• Develop and oversee integrated communications strategies, PR plans, campaign execution, and executive visibility initiatives aligned with client business objectives
• Provide strategic counsel across reputation management, thought leadership, media strategy, and stakeholder communications
• Identify opportunities to expand client relationships and support organic account growth

Media Relations & Executive Visibility

• Demonstrate advanced media relations capabilities with strong relationships across business, trade, broadcast, digital, and national media
• Develop compelling narratives, story angles, and proactive media strategies that generate meaningful client exposure
• Secure high-profile media opportunities, feature coverage, executive interviews, speaking engagements, and thought leadership placements
• Lead media preparation efforts including briefing documents, messaging guidance, executive prep, and event coordination
• Oversee media outreach efforts across account teams and provide guidance on pitching strategy and positioning
• Support special initiatives including book launches, executive campaigns, conferences, and industry events

Crisis Communications & Reputation Management

• Support the development and execution of crisis and issues management strategies for clients
• Draft and oversee materials including holding statements, Q&As, executive talking points, media statements, and stakeholder communications
• Monitor media, social, and industry developments to proactively identify reputational risks and emerging issues
• Help counsel clients through sensitive situations with professionalism, discretion, and strategic judgment
• Coordinate with senior leadership and external partners including legal counsel where appropriate
• Manage, mentor, and support the development of Account Coordinators, Account Executives, and interns
• Delegate responsibilities effectively while ensuring quality control and accountability across client deliverables
• Provide ongoing coaching, constructive feedback, and professional development support to junior team members
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing, and solutions-oriented team environment

Writing, Content & Messaging

• Review, edit, and refine agency-generated materials prior to client distribution
• Draft and oversee development of press releases, executive messaging, award submissions, bylined content, social media copy, and other strategic communications materials
• Ensure messaging is clear, compelling, accurate, and aligned with broader client positioning and business priorities

Business Development, Networking & Industry Engagement

• Support agency growth initiatives through participation in new business development, prospect research, proposals, and pitch meetings
• Demonstrate strong networking and relationship-building capabilities across media, industry, and professional communities
• Identify opportunities for agency visibility, partnerships, and relationship expansion
• Contribute ideas that strengthen agency positioning, services, and market relevance

Digital Communications & AI Fluency

• Demonstrate strong understanding of digital communications, social platforms, audience engagement, and emerging media trends
• Utilize AI-enabled tools and technologies to improve research, content development, media monitoring, workflow efficiency, and strategic insights
• Understand the opportunities and risks associated with AI-generated content and communications
• Stay informed on evolving communications technologies, analytics tools, and digital best practices

Operational Excellence & Agency Contribution

• Manage multiple accounts, deadlines, and priorities with strong organizational discipline and attention to detail
• Contribute to agency initiatives, culture, collaboration, and operational improvement efforts
• Represent the JConnelly brand with professionalism, credibility, intellectual curiosity, and high standards of excellence in all interactions
• Perform other duties as assigned

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant professional experience
• 4–6+ years of experience in public relations, strategic communications, media relations, journalism, corporate communications, or related fields
• Proven experience managing client relationships and leading integrated communications programs
• Strong media relations skills with demonstrated success securing impactful coverage and executive visibility opportunities
• Excellent writing, editing, strategic thinking, and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated leadership ability, sound judgment, and problem-solving capabilities
• Strong organizational and project management skills with ability to manage multiple priorities independently
• Experience mentoring or managing junior team members preferred
• Commercial awareness and interest in agency growth and client development
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, social media platforms, and digital collaboration tools
• Experience with PR, analytics, and media intelligence platforms such as Cision, Meltwater, Muck Rack, TrendKite, Sprout Social, Hootsuite, Factiva, LexisNexis, or similar tools
• Familiarity with AI-enabled communications, research, and productivity tools strongly preferred
• Experience supporting crisis communications or reputation management initiatives preferred
• Ability to work flexible hours during high-priority client situations when needed

Characteristics of Success

Successful Account Supervisors are:

• Strategic and intellectually curious thinkers
• Strong communicators and skilled storytellers
• Trusted client advisors with excellent judgment
• Proactive relationship builders and networkers
• Effective managers and collaborative team leaders
• Adaptable professionals who thrive in dynamic environments
• Commercially aware and growth-oriented
• Digitally fluent with strong understanding of evolving communications technologies and AI tools
• Committed to continuous learning, innovation, and professional growth

Featured benefits

• Company-funded Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) on select medical plans
• Company-paid life insurance & AD&D coverage
• ESOP — employee stock ownership, fully funded by JConnelly, no cost to you
• 401(k) with company match (traditional & Roth options)
• Supplemental coverage through Aflac (disability, critical illness, and more)
• Free 24/7 healthcare navigation through Health Advocate
• Virtual vet consultations through Petzey