Edelman - Senior Account Director - Technology - PR/Media

Senior Account Director - Technology

Basic Qualifications :

- The senior account director must have at least twelve years of relevant experience in public relations and/or related fields including research, advertising, management consulting, media and publishing.

Preferred Qualifications :

- S/he will be able to lead and execute research-driven communications programs for clients to advance their business and brands.

- S/he will have a proven ability to help clients garner support, advance brands and/or corporate/organization reputations by engaging with key stakeholders: consumers, employees, investors, regulators, media, vendors, partners and/or other businesses/organizations.

- S/he will be able to develop revenue by growing profitable client relationships.

- S/he will have an understanding of how communications teams work from both client and agency-sides.

- S/he will be entrepreneurial and professional with impeccable written, verbal communication and presentation skills. In addition, s/he will have a record of successfully stewarding client budgets through planning, resource management, forecasting and vendor negotiations; and s/he also can help solicit and win new business.

- S/he will be a superb people manager able to attract, motivate, retain, empower and coach staff, and will possess the vision, insight and confidence necessary to manage a team.

- S/he will display the above in a cross functional and cross geographic environment and will have a proven track record of the same.

- A bachelor's degree in a relevant field from an accredited college or university is preferred.

Competencies :

- An account director is responsible for the leadership and overall direction of cross geographical account teams and/or groups relating to client service, staffing, training, organizational development, and quality control.

- S/he will work to thoroughly understand Edelman's various consulting processes/approaches and global capabilities, be able to demonstrate the value of these offerings to clients, and lead all aspects of their planning and execution for Edelman's India operations.

- S/he also will lead and /or contribute to the winning of new client business. Expected competencies include:

Client Service :

- Serve as the primary or senior contact for clients

- Create research-driven, creative communications programs that meet or exceed client objectives

- Strategize and lead implementation of national programs

- Develop and oversee account teams- performance, ensuring quality work is done, efficient processes are in place, and client requests are handled in a timely fashion

- Use capabilities and resources across Edelman to meet client goals and budgets

- Formulate thoughtful points of view and recommendations based on broad communications and client landscape

- Take immediate action upon client feedback and help solve client problems

- Display understanding of Edelman consulting processes including public engagement, messaging workshops, master narrative assignments and stakeholder mapping exercises; lead aspects of these assignments

- Demonstrate advanced writing skills

- Craft and develop newsworthy pitches, recommend appropriate media strategies, and build relationships with journalists and social media influencers to achieve clients- business goals

- Demonstrate practical and advanced understanding of visual communications, social media and the digital landscape and how to incorporate these channels into client programs

- Use qualitative and quantitative research to develop and evaluate client programs

- Work with Geo Leaders to turn client Quality survey results into action plans for improvement; execute and monitor these plans

People Engagement :

- Ensure performance expectations, career development plan and S.M.A.R.T. (specific, measureable, achievable, realistic and time-based) goals are set and reviewed annually during the formal performance review process for all direct reports

- Provide ongoing, constructive feedback to staff, consistently hold them accountable, and address under-performance in a timely manner

- Mentor, coach and support all team members, and ensure you and your staff are constantly developing abilities through on-the-job training and Edelman University

- Help attract new talent and work to build a team with diverse views and backgrounds

- Develop staff to become capable of assuming more senior roles

- Set achievable goals and tasks, delegate opportunities and provide resources for direct reports to meet their goals; consistently measure and recognize goal achievement

- Oversee quality control of teams- assignments including writing, pitching, proposals, and reporting

- Encourage teams to participate in and talk about company-wide initiatives

Business Development :

- Establish achievable revenue growth targets annually

- Seek out, coordinate and facilitate cross-practice and cross-geographical teams to provide clients and prospects with the most compelling work

- Cultivate business growth opportunities among existing and prospective clients

- Introduce existing clients to relevant Edelman capabilities, including resources outside of your own group, to advance clients- business goals

- Demonstrate Edelman's expertise by contributing articles to digital and traditional publications, participating in organizations or engaging in speaking opportunities and by supporting Edelman's marketing initiatives and intellectual property

- Lead and contribute to new business proposals

- Financial Planning and Management :

- Understand core financial constructs including revenue, profitability, pricing structures (hourly vs. retainer accounts), utilization, realization, budgeting and forecasting

- Negotiate client and vendor contracts and manage client budgeting and authorization process prior to beginning work

- Develop and manage accurate client project budgets using the firm's financial system

- Proactively plan and maintain team structures to ensure reasonable workloads, optimized profitability, accommodation to project and budget changes, and to avoid overservicing

- Accurately record your time correctly to the right project codes on a timely basis - ideally daily, but no later than weekly

- Approve time, expenses and POs accurately and regularly

- Use the firm's financial system to bill clients accurately and minimize delays and adjustments

- Help ensure your team follows Edelman's financial policies and processes

Leadership :

- Demonstrate behaviors consistent with Edelman's values (Quality, Integrity, Respect, Entrepreneurial Spirit, Mutual Benefits) and Code of Ethics and Business Conduct and require direct reports to do the same

- Lead by example; demonstrate strong work ethic, creative abilities and industry expertise

- Communicate and inspire colleagues and staff through vision, goals and strategy for client teams and guide them to produce creative and effective outcomes

- Set and pursue challenging stretch goals for you and your staff

- Build your PR and leadership skills through training

- Advocate and employ cross-practice/office/geography convergence approach to staffing projects

- Manage conflicts well

- Create a climate that encourages ethical conduct and a commitment to compliance with the law

- Live - in color- and encourage staff to do so - by exploring and being active in the world outside of work, including the arts, culture, politics, literature, charitable organizations and/or other personal passions

Product Capability and Development :

- Participate in the development and adoption of new products, services, intellectual property and thought leadership materials related to your areas of expertise

- Stay up-to-date with emerging technologies and trends and demonstrate expert understanding of how they integrate into communications programs