Account Manager, Media Relations & Marketing

af&co., based in the heart of San Francisco, is a full-service integrated communications agency with a passion for the hospitality industry. Our clients include restaurants, hotels, food and beverage brands and special events. We specialize in media relations, influencer relations, marketing, social media and launch strategy, as well as concept development and operational consulting. Our goals are to provide personalized and expert guidance, build brand awareness, and generate results and results for our clients. We work hard and we love what we do. Our approach for each client is fresh, direct, creative and stylish. We inspire people to love our clients as much as we do! For more information, please see our website at www.afandco.com.

... Growing!!

Seeking a Passionate Media Relations & Marketing Account Manager

Here’s the scoop:

Job Title: Media Relations & Marketing Account Manager

Department: Marketing/Media Relations

Reporting To: Sr. Account Manager(s)/Account Director(s)

FLSA Status: Full time, Exempt

Requirements for Position:

This position requires three to five years’ experience, with strong media relations and marketing expertise, complemented by sharp communication and leadership skills. Account Managers are responsible for achieving and maintaining client satisfaction. A passion for food, restaurants and the hospitality industry, as well as a desire to learn more about marketing, media relations and brand strategy, are key to success in this role. While the af&co. team is working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, San Francisco Bay Area residency is required for all staff members.

af&co. Fundamentals:

We are looking for someone excited to share their media relations and marketing expertise with our team and clients. The ideal candidate:

• Possesses a strong portfolio of secured local and national media coverage, particularly focusing on the hospitality industry
• Has excellent relationships with a long list of San Francisco Bay Area and national media, specifically those that cover hospitality, food and beverage
• Has experience managing social media accounts, including community management, content creation and advertising
• Is knowledgeable of Bay Area food, beverage, travel and lifestyle influencers
• Is detail-oriented, very creative, empathetic, resourceful, tenacious, strategic, an assertive goal-setter and excellent communicator
• Possesses a keen interest in and passion for food, restaurants, cocktails, travel, and the hospitality arts and culture in general
• Exhibits excellent writing skills, which can be applied creatively and effectively to anything from a press release or pitch to a case study or client newsletter
• Is a natural networker and team player with strong social skills who can juggle multiple projects with finesse
• Is a born story-teller with strong persuasion skills
• Fosters a fun, friendly, open, drama-free and efficient work environment
• Enjoys new business outreach
• Brings strategic rigor and a high quality of work to every account or project
• Is naturally friendly, courteous and attentive to client needs
• Is highly productive and efficient in time management
• Responds quickly to internal and external communication
• Is naturally courteous, friendly and attentive to client needs
• Is highly productive and efficient manager of time and deadlines, both for self and colleagues
• Adapts easily, is flexible to change and responsive
• Is punctual, arrives on time and displays a positive attitude for and towards work, tasks, responsibilities, clients and co-workers
• Expertly uses Microsoft Office and Google Calendar, Docs, Sheets and Slides

In this role, you will be the central point of communication for six to nine clients. You will build confidence with the client that strategic solutions, project details, process steps, billings and deliverables are well organized, communicated and managed. Additionally, you will ensure all correspondence, materials, presentations, proposals seen by prospective and existing clients are error-free, of highest quality, relevant to the client’s business challenges, and reflective of af&co.’s approach.

Media Relations Responsibilities

A successful candidate will be able to:

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with traditional media
• Lead the creation of creative media relations initiatives that drive relevance and revenue
• Secure earned media features, mentions and round-ups for clients on a regular basis
• Ideate, write, edit, and execute press kits, pitches and press releases that achieve goals for clients and agency
• Build and oversee the creation of targeted media lists for client pitches
• Manage editorial calendar and HARO opportunities for clients, including tracking deadlines, sharing opportunities with other account managers
• Measure ROI and utilize data to make informed strategic or tactical recommendations

Marketing Responsibilities

A successful candidate will be able to:

• Lead client’s integrated marketing communications planning, identifying objectives, strategies and tactics
• Manage content for digital platforms (social media, blog, website, e-newsletters, etc.) for af&co and its clients
• Directly manage client social media profiles, including, but not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and LinkedIn
• Manage influencer campaigns from start to finish
• Use Sprout Social and Klear or another influencer marketing platform
• Create and manage social media ad campaigns through Facebook Business Manager
• Manage client photo/video shoots
• Create and manage client email marketing campaigns
• Create reports and analyzes KPIs for each client
• Measure ROI and utilize data to make informed strategic or tactical recommendations
• Collaborate with account teams on the planning and execution of events for af&co clients, with oversight by Managing Director
• Assist in overall digital brand strategy and messaging for all clients

Perks:

• Working with a fantastic, tight team of communications and marketing pros who are passionate about our industry and clients
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Business development bonus
• Paid vacation with additional comp time
• Work from home
• Partial reimbursement for cell phone and internet service
• 401K retirement plan with profit sharing
• Pre-tax transit benefit
• The thrill of working with and experiencing our amazing clients, which often includes enjoying delicious food and beverages!

Salary is based on experience, accomplishments and skills. Please inlclude your resume and a cover letter telling us about:

• Your most successful media relations campaign and why
• Example(s) of social media account(s) you’ve directly managed
• Your restaurant/hotel passion/expertise
• Your leadership/management style
• Favorite restaurant/chef and why?

Please also include two to three media placements of which you are most proud, in whatever medium. Please forward as an attachment in either Microsoft Office, pdf or jpeg format or as a link. Please note that candidates are also required to complete an official application and timed writing test. Finalists will be asked to share references.

af&co. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.