Director, Public Relations

About Phase 3 Marketing & Communications:

Founded in 2001, Phase 3 is an integrated marketing services firm, simplifying the way brands connect with their customers. A commitment to ideation to execution means Phase 3 offers everything from creative, digital, marketing and public relations to small- and large-format digital, and offset printing. We manage the picture of projects – start-to-finish, arm-in-arm – like no other partner. With locations across the eastern United States, including Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Nashville and Fairfield - New Jersey, our reach and efficiencies enable our team to creatively and effectively solve clients’ biggest marketing challenges, together.

Phase 3 is recognized annually as a top 10 marketing services firm by the Atlanta Business Chronicle and as a top 15 marketing services firm by the Charlotte Business Journal and Nashville Business Journal. The company has been ranked among the flagship Printing Impressions 400 annually since 2011, and additional accolades include Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 2015 Pacesetter Award, placement on the 2017 Inc. 5000 List for Fasted Growing Private Companies, and recognition as one of Charlotte’s Best Places to Work.

Job Description:

The Director of Public Relations is the team leader for strategic accounts within the Public Relations department. S/he is a leader who balances the needs of the Client with the needs of the agency and is held accountable for quality work, client budgets and account profitability. The candidate will possess a thorough knowledge of the dynamics and workings of the client’s business, personnel and the competitive landscape; and inspires client trust through anticipating the needs of the client and earning a seat at their leadership table. This candidate will be known as Phase 3 Marketing & Communication’s local subject matter expert in public relations, media relations, influencer marketing, social media, thought-leadership and reputation management space for the company and will participate in new business opportunities and client strategy development as such.

The Director of Public Relations will lead Key Accounts in the development of external and internal communications, through a channel-neutral approach, between the client and its target audiences. To that end, they will have the ability to drive and oversee large, complex, primarily digital, earned and owned PR/social media projects including internal websites, video production for social sharing, Internet/Intranet deliverables, etc. This position requires both a business background as well as a classic public relations background as our P3MC clients rely on the agency to provide strategic consultation in the development of their messages, materials, and reputation.

The director should have the ability to develop and build multiple client contacts within the same organization – each who might have different requirements and needs – but through whom our P3MC relationship becomes stronger, and business is built. At times, this will require availability before and after hours for conference calls, special event management and media relations leadership as well as to ensure the timely delivery of projects.

The PR Director demonstrates leadership within the agency and promotes a positive work environment through personal accountability for attitude, confidentiality and professional maturity to become a driving force behind positive outcomes.

• Effectively plans and organizes the work for the agency team; handling multiple projects efficiently, effectively and productively
• Sets and manages client expectations
• Demonstrate confidence and authority as the day-to-day voice of the agency team
• Day-to-day PR leadership and tone/sentiment oversight management responsibilities for a variety of clients including real estate, lifestyle, non-profit and B2B.
• Leadership and collaboration with clients and the internal agency team.
• Management of one-on-one relationships with area journalists and reporters (TV, print, online and radio)
• Able to apply innovative strategic thinking, generating marketing/PR ideas and being courageous, passionate and accountable to drive those ideas to fruition and ultimately return on investment for our clients.
• Respecting the importance of process but not letting process get in the way of dynamic accomplishments.
• Project management experience with all types of deadlines and deliverables – from creative for print to interview messages for radio
• Can translate trends, technologies and metrics into simple statements that resonate with audiences
• Exceptional client counselor with a fierce desire for truth, expressed via casual, compelling and committed communications with clients
• Ability to mobilize, supervise and motivate a team
• Fascination for learning new things – insatiable curiosity J
• Capable of on-camera interviews and representing clients in every medium (TV, radio, online and print)
• Creates and recognizes opportunities to grow Client’s business and acts upon them with the help of senior management and appropriate agency resources
• Actively works to grow and develop skills of junior team members

Job Requirements:

• Minimum 4 year college degree in journalism, public relations, marketing or related field
• 7+ years PR account management experience, preferably in an agency environment
• Experience in managing complex projects
• Expert relationship building skills
• Demonstrated mastery of Associated Press guidelines
• Candidate must work well in a fast paced, deadline-oriented environment; have strong organizational and problem-solving skills; have very good attention to detail; and able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Strong organizational, writing and editing skills
• Mastery of Microsoft Office product suite
• An expert in e-mail marketing and all forms of social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter)
• Active member of PRSA, IABC, AMA or AIMA a plus
• Accreditation a plus