Account Director, Public Relations & Social Media Marketing

We’re Growing! Seeking an Account Director, Public Relations & Social Media Marketingaf&co. is a full-service integrated communications agency with a passion for the hospitality industry. Our clients include top restaurants, hotels, food and beverage brands and special events. We specialize in public relations, influencer relations, marketing, social media and launch strategy. Our goals are to provide personalized and expert guidance, build brand awareness, and generate results for our clients. For more information, please see our website at www.afandco.com.Here’s the scoop!Job Title:Account Director, Public Relations & Social Media MarketingDepartment:Public Relations and MarketingReporting to:Managing Director and CEOSalary Range:$105,000 - $115,000FLSA Status:Full time, Non‑ExemptThis position requires eight to 10 years of in‑house or agency experience, with public relations and social media marketing expertise complemented by sharp communication and leadership skills. This role is a leader in the public relations and marketing departments at the agency, responsible for leading campaign strategy and planning for their clients, mentoring, training and developing individual team members, driving the new business process, and achieving and maintaining client satisfaction through client leadership. The Account Director supports department operations, including performance reviews, contractor agreements, and scopes of work. A passion for restaurants and the hospitality industry as well as a desire to lead cross‑functional teams in public relations, marketing and brand strategy are a must.While our team works 100% remotely, this position must be based in the San Francisco Bay Area.af&co. Fundamentals To thrive as an af&co. team member, you are:Detail‑oriented, creative, empathetic, resourceful, tenacious, strategic, an assertive goal‑setter and excellent communicatorKeenly interested in and passionate about food, restaurants, cocktails, travel, and the hospitality arts and culture in generalAn excellent writerA natural networker and team player with strong social skills who can juggle multiple projects with finesseA born story‑teller with strong persuasion skillsA knowledgeable mentorExcited to assist company with new business outreachHighly productive and efficient with time managementAdaptable and able to respond quickly to internal and external communicationA solutions‑oriented thinker who looks for opportunities to make work more effectiveIn this position, you will play a significant leadership role at the agency, in partnership with the Managing Director, CEO, and other account directors, working with the leadership team on agency management and operations. You will be the central point of communication for eight to twelve clients. You will build confidence with your clients that strategic solutions, project details, process steps, billings and deliverables are well organized, communicated and managed. Additionally, you will ensure that 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.People & TeamDirectly manage 4‑5 team membersLead agency meetings, project check‑ins, and performance reviews as a member of the leadership teamSupports operational needs of the public relations departmentBring out the best in others by interacting with colleagues and clients in a positive, professional and motivating mannerThoughtfully delegate work to junior‑level talent with their career development in mind, providing clear direction and feedbackCollaborate with Managing Director, CEO, and other account directors on team leadership and agency culture initiativesOrganize and assign team breakdowns and assignments together based on client needsAssign all action items and next steps for their team in AsanaInitiate six‑month plans for each account, leading account team to add strategies and initiatives based on individual client needsAttend client/company events two to three times a week in the Bay AreaClient RelationshipsClient lead, trusted advisor and central point of communication for eight to twelve clientsOversee the success of accounts, ensuring all deliverables are creative, of the highest quality and relevant to the client’s business challengesCommunicate in a clear and compelling manner in written, oral and presentation formsDrive timelines and account results effectively using internal project team meetings as appropriateStrategic, Creative & Innovative ThinkingCompetent at providing executive level clients with strategic counselHighly creative and competent at communicating ideas; consistently brings “Bright Ideas” for driving revenue and increasing client relevance to key audiencesStrong integrated communications skills and knowledge across a broad spectrum of tacticsUp‑to‑date on hospitality, marketing and public relations trendsActively identifies inspirations and benchmarks for projects and share with teamWrites thought leadership pieces through the af&co. blog, newsletter or by contributing to the agency’s annual trend reportNew Business DevelopmentHelp drive business development, responding to agency leads and generating leads independentlyComfortably uses a consultative sales approach to sell new businessCreate and contribute to proposals to meet the needs of potential new clients while showcasing the value of the agencySets up initial calls with potential new business prospects and assigns next steps to the teamDelegate proposal assignments based on suggested proposal team and interest from other team members with clear deadlinesProject/Financial ManagementEstablish and clearly communicate project priorities to team membersOversee activities including updating status reports, meeting agendas, summaries, audits, etc.Develop and drives timelines and action steps to drive successful program developmentBe a part of budget and state of the agency discussionsPublic Relations ExpertiseLead public relations planning, identifying objectives, strategies and tactics for their clientsConsistently build new media relationships on behalf of the agencyLead the creation of creative public relations initiatives that drive relevance and revenueSecure features, mentions and round‑ups for clients on a regular basisIdeate, write, edit, and execute pitches that achieve PR goals for clients and agencyResearch/write press releasesCreate targeted media lists for client pitches that lead to resultsEnsure capture of editorial calendar opportunities for clientsMeasure ROI and utilize data to make informed strategic or tactical recommendationsDevelop engaging brand contentEnsure smooth execution of photo shoots for clientsProvide art direction and shot lists for professional photographyContribute to agency‑wide public relations strategy and best practicesOversee and staff media FAMs as neededSocial Media and Influencer Marketing ExpertiseHigh level of strategic abilities and a strong understanding of integrated marketing, including paid and organic social media, influencer relations and partnershipsOversee development of social media content; manages posting, engagement and reach to achieve identified goalsEnsure team members are posting as contracted on Instagram and Facebook dailyLead team to develop engaging brand contentAnalyze and track statistics for each platform and utilizes findings to improve resultsDrive strategy and campaign development for influencer programs to achieve clients goals and awareness of key messagesStay up‑to‑date with social media news and digital trends and shares knowledge and training with teamEventsLead restaurant and hotel openings with the teamManage event RSVPs, confirmations and guest communicationsCoordinate with venue teams to ensure flow, timing, and media/influencer experienceBrief staff and leadership on key media attendees and talking pointsEnsure photo/video capture aligns with brand and post‑event PR needsSupport post‑event follow up, including sending photography, coverage tracking, and nurturing media/influencer relationshipsRequirementsBachelor's degree in marketing, communications, public relations, journalism, or a closely related field OR an equivalent combination of education and experienceEight to 10 years of successful work experience of increasing responsibility that has included social media marketing and PRTrained in AP Style and has deep experience writing and editing press materialsExperience managing the work of othersHas strong, personal relationships with top tier food, beverage, travel and lifestyle media, locally and nationallyResident of the San Francisco Bay AreaPossession of a valid California Driver's license and the ability to drive to client and event locationsPerksWorking with a fantastic, tight team of communications and marketing pros who are passionate about our industry and clientsMedical, dental and vision insuranceBusiness development bonusPaid vacation with additional comp timeWork remotelyPartial reimbursement for cell phone and internet service401K retirement planPre‑tax transit benefit, as applicableCell phone and internet stipendTeam retreatsUse of trade at client establishmentsThe thrill of working with and experiencing our amazing clients, which often includes enjoying delicious food and beverages!To Apply Please send your resume and cover letter to careers@afandco.com. Please include two to three examples of your recent related work as well as links to social media profiles, blogs, websites or other relevant content. Please note that finalists are also required to complete a timed writing test and will be asked to arrange calls with references.Salary is based on experience, accomplishments and skills. If selected as a top candidate, you will be asked to share professional references for final consideration.af&co. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.#J-18808-Ljbffr