Senior Account Executive

Environmental Resources Management (ERM); Walnut Creek (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 104,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Parental leave

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) or RRSP/DPSP

Job summary

Environmental Resources Management (ERM) is looking for a Senior Account Executive to enhance their Reputation Management practice. This role involves developing earned media strategies, managing client accounts, and implementing media relations aligned with client objectives.

The ideal candidate will have proven experience in corporate sustainability PR and a minimum of 4 years in corporate communications. Responsibilities include analyzing media performance and supporting rapid response strategies. ERM offers a competitive salary and a range of benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years' experience in corporate communications, preferably in an agency setting.
• Proven experience delivering integrated sustainability PR programs.
• Hands-on experience with earned media and journalist relationships.

Responsibilities

• Engage in broader reputation management strategies.
• Identify and act on timely news moments.
• Analyze earned media performance and communicate insights to clients.

Skills

Integrated multi-channel sustainability PR programs

Media strategies and pitching

Writing and verbal communication skills

Experience with media monitoring tools

Collaborative and proactive mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or Communications

Tools

Signal AI

Meltwater

Job description

Senior Account Executive – Reputation Management

ERM Marketing Communications Agency (ERM MCA) is an embedded solution, providing strategic communication capabilities to clients worldwide. We are seeking a Senior Account Executive with experience in agency-side corporate sustainability PR, media, risk and crisis communications to help grow our Reputation Management practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a core member of the Reputation Management team within the ERM MCA Account team.
• Develop and deliver earned media strategies aligned with client objectives; create media lists, track coverage, leverage tools and AI platforms, build and maintain trusted relationships with journalists and influencers.
• Engage in broader reputation management strategies including monitoring emerging reputation risks and stakeholder sentiment, supporting rapid response and issues management planning, and tracking evolving media, policy, and AI‑driven reputation trends.
• Identify and act on timely news moments, translating complex sustainability topics into media‑ready commentary.
• Manage multiple accounts, deadlines, and competing priorities with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Analyze earned media performance, communicate insights and recommendations to clients.
• Anticipate client needs, identify opportunities, and proactively recommend solutions.
• Assist in the development of messaging, media strategy, crisis communications, risk narratives, Q&A documents, and stakeholder communications, including preparing responses to industry issues on behalf of clients.
• Present ideas and recommendations in an engaging, confidence‑building manner in both prepared presentations and client meetings.
• Collaborate with team members to ensure successful results for clients and ERM.
• Contribute to new business opportunities, including research and proposal drafts; identify opportunities for organic growth within existing accounts.
• Support agency leadership in expanding service offerings and market presence.
• Maintain strong relationships with key media, influencers, and industry stakeholders.
• Provide input on media strategy, storytelling, and thought leadership; demonstrate understanding of clients’ markets and business sectors.
• Stay ahead of industry trends and integrate them into client strategies.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with agency standards.

Required Experience & Attributes

• Proven experience delivering integrated, multi‑channel sustainability PR programs for clients across sectors and geographies.
• Hands‑on experience with earned media, including demonstrable relationships with journalists.
• Ability to develop and execute proactive media strategies, story mining, positioning, and tailored pitching approaches for top‑tier and trade media.
• Demonstrate sound strategic judgment and ability to connect media activity to broader business, reputation, and stakeholder objectives.
• Strong understanding of media monitoring tools (e.g., Signal AI, Meltwater) and ability to use insights to inform strategy.
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills, with ability to craft clear, concise, compelling content.
• Experience working in a fast‑paced sustainability communications agency environment, preferably with B2B clients across finance, manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, or technology sectors.
• Collaborative, proactive mindset with ability to work independently and as part of a cross‑functional team; willingness to work across time zones.
• Sense of humor appreciated.
• Minimum 4 years’ experience in corporate communications, preferably in an agency setting.
• Requires a 4‑year degree (e.g., Bachelor of Arts) or equivalent in Business, Marketing, or Communications.

Success Metrics

• Contribute to new business and organic growth, demonstrating identifiable client revenue opportunities.
• Achieve 70% billability in line with the agency team’s growth trajectory.
• Demonstrate measurable impact on client reputation outcomes (share of voice, sentiment, narrative penetration, issue containment).
• Demonstrate client satisfaction, retention and growth, target 10% year‑over‑year growth on retained accounts.
• Attend at least one networking event per quarter.

Compensation & Benefits

Anticipated annual base pay is $85,000–$104,000 (USD). Pay may vary based on education, experience, skill, location, performance, and business needs. Eligibility for bonus pay is possible (please note casual and fixed‑term/flex force employees are not bonus eligible). Benefits include paid time off, parental leave, medical, dental, vision, life, disability, AD&D insurance, 401(k) or RRSP/DPSP, and other applicable benefits to eligible employees.

Why this role matters

Earned media is increasingly important as AI reshapes information surfacing and trust. This role is central to ensuring our clients maximize their reach and is a critical piece of standing up ERM MCA’s new Reputation Management practice by expanding the skills within a currently under‑resourced capability.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

ERM is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.