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Posted June 11, 2021
Hawkins International Public Relations

Account Director, PR & Digital Strategy

Hawkins International Public Relations
New York, NY, USA ⚠ [Archived] No Longer Accepting Applicants

Hawkins International PR is Hiring: Account Director, PR & Digital Strategy

Located in the heart of Chelsea, Hawkins International PR is an award-winning boutique PR firm focusing on luxury travel and lifestyle accounts. We have a fast-paced work environment with competitive salary and benefits. Travel opportunities to fabulous destinations and a warm, supportive group of colleagues are just a few of the reasons to join our team.

This uniquely hybrid Account Director role oversees some of our highest-profile accounts in travel across both PR and Digital Strategy. We are looking for a candidate that displays strong leadership, big picture strategy and management skills, strong media and influencer relationships, along with an appreciation and understanding of the luxury marketplace and a passion for travel. This AD will have experience managing high profile clients on both public relations and digital sides of the business and is confident in developing, launching and executing strategic plans, managing all aspects of accounts and client teams, and new business development across PR and social media both independently of each other, as well as in an integrated scope that combines both.

You should be a self-motivated and hard-working team player, who has experience taking ownership of your work. PR and social media experience with the travel, real estate and/or luxury lifestyle industries is required.

PR Responsibilities

  • Manage and oversee all aspects of accounts, from providing strategic counsel to clients, developing and executing PR plans, to editing and reviewing press releases and reports.
  • Manage client teams, including delegating responsibilities to team members and evaluating their work.
  • Oversee junior team members’ development, including providing education, motivation and constructive criticism where necessary.
  • Serve as the voice of authority on all PR-related matters to clients.
  • Be a thought leader when it comes to creative ways to integrate social media (blogs, Twitter, etc.) with traditional PR initiatives.
  • Work closely in integrated teams to ensure seamless coordination between digital activities, PR programs and creative campaigns
  • Participate in all aspects of new business development including research, audits, proposal development and pitch presentations
  • Maintain high-level editorial/journalistic/media contacts.
  • Execute PR initiatives including media events, media appointments, press trips, etc.

Social Media Responsibilities

  • Drive new business development: lead generation and outreach, develop proposals and execute strategic and insightful presentations, create webinars and other lead-generating initiatives for current and potential clients
  • Execute and lead digital marketing and social media programs for clients including oversight/execution of digital strategies, email marketing, influencer marketing, and content/channel strategy
  • Be a thought leader and educator for the agency – motivating the staff and clients to stay on top of emerging digital, social and content trends and cultivating creative thinking and powerful ideas aligned with client goals
  • Work with the Executive Team to guide creative direction for the agency and develop best practices to implement and integrate social media into our core services
  • Explore digital advocacy and social media tools to benefit clients, potential clients, and the agency
  • Oversee client strategy and manage the internal social media team handling day-to-day execution of paid and organic social media marketing. Create and execute strategic, effective campaigns and digital programs to grow our clients' presence and awareness
  • Define and monitor KPIs to measure success and impact of social media and digital efforts, adjusting strategy as needed, and concisely deliver results to clients and teams
  • Oversee the agency’s strategy and growth on our own social media channels and blog, providing insight and direction for our digital presence and its continued development
  • Oversee all crisis scenarios, providing strategy and counsel to clients and teams
  • Identify emerging technologies and platforms that add value for the agency and clients and cultivate partnerships with relevant companies
  • Foster long-term blogger and influencer relationships for both the agency and clients.
  • Manage the recruitment, retention and professional development of the social media team
  • Position the agency as an innovator in the social media space, serving as an active spokesperson representing the firm on conferences/panels, develop by-line articles, blogs, etc., and identifying award opportunities

Qualifications

  • BA in Liberal Arts, English, journalism or related degree
  • 7+ years of public relations and digital strategy experience
  • Strong client relations skills
  • Strong media and influencer relationships
  • Strong written communications
  • Demonstrated track record of developing and executing successful digital programs
  • Past PR experience with the travel, real estate and/or lifestyle industries
  • References and writing samples required

Salary/benefits: Competitive with 401(k), medical and dental benefits

Start date: As soon as possible