Waggener Edstrom Worldwide's Global Public Affairs Practice is currently searching for an experienced Public Affairs Account Manager to work in our Washington DC office. The successful candidate for this position will have agency experience and possess a strong background in public affairs, ideally experience with significant media relations and stakeholder engagement experience. This is an exciting and unique opportunity to help shape our growing public affairs practice and work closely with an experienced team of public affairs and public relations professionals worldwide. Waggener Edstrom Worldwide has a more than 25-year history of working with companies that have shaped the world through groundbreaking innovation. That same passion for innovation infuses our approach to public affairs practice. We provide unparalleled policy and issues expertise for companies that operate globally at the intersection of invention and insight, and help them create social and economic value. As one of the largest public relations firms in the world, we offer an impressive global team of seasoned agency experts. We have created a workplace that is driven by passion for the innovation that is transforming the world around us, and changing the way we live and work. Proudly independent, we answer only to clients and employees, not shareholders. Because we're autonomous, we're fully in charge. This means we can think freely, plan strategically, act nimbly - and always do what's best for our clients. We deliberately seek out people from a diverse range of backgrounds to build a culture where employees bring to their work a rich set of experiences and perspectives from around the world. We are always looking for talented PR professionals at all levels.
Responsibilities
SOURCE: PUBLIC AFFAIRS COUNCIL 08/01/11
Responsibilities
- Manage day-to-day client relationships with senior executives. Understand and anticipate client needs and proactively provide strategic communications and public affairs counsel.
- Support and develop new business opportunities to grow the public affairs practice.
- Draw on significant media relations experience to guide communications campaigns and secure favorable coverage for diverse clients.
- Identify, monitor and analyze issues, including legislative and policy developments.
- Develop and implement strategic communications plans.
- Facilitate engagement with third parties, including in government, academia, non-governmental organizations and media.
- Minimum 7 years experience.
- Strong media relations skills and significant experience driving results through aggressive media outreach to diverse publications and broadcast outlets.
- High level of initiative and outstanding client service orientation with ability to lead account teams and develop solid relationships with clients.
- Sales mentality with ability to generate new business opportunities by leveraging personal network to identify opportunities to grow the public affairs practice.
- Strong understanding of policy issues (including federal and state level), particularly as they relate to energy, healthcare and technology sectors; understanding of the legislative process as well as be able to recommend approaches to reaching key third party influencers.
- Outstanding communications skills (verbal and written); and a passion for developing and driving public affairs strategies.
- Prior work experience at a public affairs or public relations agency is a significant advantage.
- Ability to work successfully in a highly dynamic environment, across multiple teams, and in concert with multiple decision makers; make quick and confident decisions and feel comfortable setting the pace, especially if/when clients are unable to do so themselves.
- Clearly communicate and guide outcomes through effective written, verbal and in-person interactions. Ability to handle intense deadline pressure, prioritize multiple tasks, and manage stress.
- Writing, research and strong organizational skills.
- Industry and issue knowledge especially in energy, healthcare and technology industries are a plus. Team Dynamics: The Public Affairs team works within a partnership environment with core PR teams throughout the agency - therefore open communication and "virtual" team integration skills are a must.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to multi-task and prioritize are also important in this role.
- Ability to provide strategic and tactical advice, draft and implement plans, provide thoughtful analysis, identify proactive opportunities, craft briefing materials, track coverage and manage budgets.
- Successful issues management experience in a corporate, government or non-profit environment that demonstrates outstanding abilities at information collection, analysis, strategy development and implementation.
- Positive, can-do attitude.
SOURCE: PUBLIC AFFAIRS COUNCIL 08/01/11
