Public Relations - Senior Account Executive

JConnelly; New York (NY); On-site; USD 100,000 - 299,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision insurance

ESOP — employee stock ownership

401(k) with company match

FSAs

Disability & supplemental coverage (Affl

Health Advocate

Petzey

Job summary

JConnelly in New York, NY seeks a Senior Account Executive to lead $100–299K in retainer accounts, drive media exposure, and mentor junior team members. This role emphasizes client relations, campaign strategy, and strong writing.

You'll serve as day-to-day contact for assigned accounts, develop strategic PR plans, and collaborate across teams to secure high-profile placements. Ideal for a communications professional aiming to expand client management and move toward leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant professional experience.
• Minimum 3–5 years of successful industry-related experience with an emphasis on managing client relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize work, handle details accurately, follow up with minimum supervision, and complete tasks within specified deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, problem-solving, and customer service skills.
• Strong writing and editing skills with experience drafting press releases, pitches, and client-facing materials.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and social media platforms.
• Proficiency in PR-related software including but not limited to Cision, Meltwater, TrendKite, Sprout Social, Hootsuite, or similar tools.
• Experience mentoring or supporting junior team members preferred.

Responsibilities

• Identifies and secures an array of media placements including high-profile and feature opportunities for clients across the team.
• Develops unique story angles and timely pitches to generate consistent client exposure.
• Develops and maintains relationships with all media outlets including trades, broadcast, and national media.
• Assists in the development of strategic PR plans and campaign development for team accounts they support.
• Delegates tasks and helps with mentoring Account Coordinators, Account Executives, and interns.

Skills

Media relations

Client relationship management

Writing & editing

Campaign strategy

Mentoring / leadership

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Cision

Meltwater

TrendKite

Sprout Social

Hootsuite

Job description

Role Summary: The Senior Account Executive independently leads $100–299K in retainer accounts or projects. The Senior Account Executive will manage multiple responsibilities including generating consistent media exposure for clients, supporting the development of key themes, campaign strategy, client relations, and mentoring other members of the team.

The SAE serves as a primary day-to-day contact for assigned client accounts while also supporting broader team accounts. This individual demonstrates strong media relations skills, sound judgment, excellent writing abilities, and the initiative to manage competing priorities with minimal oversight.

This role is ideal for a motivated communications professional looking to deepen their client management experience, sharpen their media instincts, and grow into a team leadership position over time.

Key Responsibilities:

Media Relations

• Identifies and secures an array of media placements including high-profile and feature opportunities for clients across the team
• Develops unique story angles and timely pitches to generate consistent client exposure
• Develops and maintains relationships with all media outlets including trades, broadcast, and national media
• Assists in the development of strategic PR plans and campaign development for team accounts they support
• Delegates tasks and helps with mentoring Account Coordinators, Account Executives, and interns

Client Service

• Independently leads $100–299K in client account revenue
• Serves as lead point of contact and runs calls for the client accounts they are leading
• Drafts PR plans for the accounts they are leading
• Functions as a general point of contact (for clients and internally) for PR initiatives
• Supports the lead point of contact for other team client accounts
• Participates in regular client update calls and meetings as well as new client discovery meetings for other team client accounts

Writing & Content

• Reviews and edits company-generated content before sharing with clients
• Supports in drafting press releases, award nominations, social media posts, and other client-related materials, when needed

Administrative & Operational Support

• Assists internal team members with other clients, business development, and company projects
• Reviews press reports before sending to clients
• Ensures that the team has saved final versions to SharePoint and has scheduled press releases for distribution
• Acts as a steward of the JConnelly brand, consistently representing and reflecting the company's core values, approach, and high standards of excellence in all client, media, and public interactions
• Performs other duties as assigned

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant professional experience
• Minimum 3–5 years of successful industry-related experience with an emphasis on managing client relationships
• Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize work, handle details accurately, follow up with minimum supervision, and complete tasks within specified deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, problem-solving, and customer service skills
• Strong writing and editing skills with experience drafting press releases, pitches, and client-facing materials
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and social media platforms
• Proficiency in PR-related software including but not limited to Cision, Meltwater, TrendKite, Sprout Social, Hootsuite, or similar tools
• Experience mentoring or supporting junior team members preferred

Characteristics of Success

Successful Senior Account Executives are:

• Strong media relations practitioners who consistently deliver meaningful client exposure
• Proactive client contacts who communicate clearly and follow through with minimal supervision
• Skilled writers who produce polished, client-ready materials
• Collaborative team members who support colleagues across accounts and mentor junior staff
• Organized professionals who manage multiple deadlines with accuracy and attention to detail
• Adaptable communicators who perform well in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments
• Brand ambassadors who represent JConnelly with professionalism and high standards in every interaction

Featured Benefits

• Medical, dental & vision insurance (Horizon BCBS, Guardian/VSP)Company-funded Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) on select medicalplans
• 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)
• FSAs
• Supplemental coverage through Aflac (disability, critical illness, and more)
• Free 24/7 healthcare navigation through Health Advocate
• Virtual vet consultations through Petzey