Chicago PR Agency, rapidly growing and nationally recognized, specializing in  corporate communications, seeks Senior Associate/Account Supervisor for day-to-day management of client accounts.  Also oversee junior staff and participate in new business efforts.

Clients in wide range of industries, from small companies to Fortune 100. Agency's work is sixty percent business and financial media relations, forty percent employee, issues and crisis communications.  Involved in all areas of firm's work, including media relations, corporate positioning, employee/labor communications, and crisis/issues management. Firm has fast-paced, non-hierarchical, collaborative structure that recognizes excellence.

Reports to VP.  Immediate need.

Qualifications:

7-10 years' experience in PR at minimum.  Prior PR agency a must, with demonstrated successful media placements.  B2B, issues and crisis experience ideal.  Local and national media relationships a plus.  Excellent oral and written communications required.  Proven ability to lead accounts and mentor junior staff.  Must understand how to think strategically and at a high level for planning and crisis communications purposes, as well as craft appropriate messages in a crisis situation.

Must be available outside of standard hours when client deadlines require.  As with all staff, Senior PR Associate is expected to keep current on national, local, and client-industry specific news via newspapers, trade publications and other media.

Responsibilities:

Four key areas of responsibility:  client and team management, writing, media relations and business development.

Client and team management:  day-to-day client contact for multiple accounts.  Provide sound and strategic counsel to clients.  As team lead, oversee Associates, Account Coordinators, and Interns:  delegate assignments, clarify issues of strategy and direction, and ensure all deadlines are met. Use critical thinking and problem solving skills to devise new strategies, troubleshoot issues and bring new ideas to light.  Work with account team to develop and implement plans.  Direct multi-faceted communications projects, including working with outside partners.  Correspond regularly with client on all facets of account work.  Set, oversee and track budgets.  Oversee invoicing process.

As a mentor to junior staff, maintain positive, professional outlook and contribute to beneficial working environment.  Ensure associates have appropriate challenges, effective guidance and sufficient resources with well-balanced workloads.  Determine staffing needs and participate in hiring and performance review process.

Writing:  draft high-quality documents, including strategic planning documents, new business proposals, press releases, bylines, speeches, and crisis materials.  Provide feedback on internal and client materials, and ensure that all are proofread and checked for accuracy.

Media Relations:  cultivate relationships with appropriate media contacts.  With Associates, pitch stories and secure placements.  Participate in client media training.  Develop talking points and media briefing documents.  Facilitate interviews between client and media.

Business and Professional Development:  frequently participate in/present during new business pitches.  With team, identify potential new clients, conduct preliminary research and write introductory materials.  Key writer for new business pitches.  Seek opportunities to leverage existing relationships, expand into new areas and promote firm.

Please forward your resume as a .doc, along with writing samples, and detailed cover letter including salary that demonstrates how you fit the specs.  Send materials to Lynn Hazan, Lynn Hazan & Associates, SrPRAssoc@lhazan.com.  We appreciate a follow up call at 312.863.5401.

Lynn Hazan & Associates, Inc. - www.lhazan.com