Big Sky Public Relations is a Montana firm specializing in public involvement, community relations, and media management for state and municipal infrastructure projects, government agencies, community-minded brands, and non-profit organizations. Based in the breathtaking mountains of Northwest Montana, our team at Big Sky Public Relations gets it when you say "limitless potential." After all, we're lucky to be are surrounded by it! That backdrop lends to the creativity and passion behind the big ideas developed and executed on a daily basis: the friendly handshake of a neighbor: and the flexibility to live with one foot in the great outdoors and one in the concrete jungle.
The account executive position may be located in either headquarters in Kalispell, Montana or our Missoula office. The right candidate can easily captain their proverbial ship, work magic with teams, and considers feedback an opportunity to grow. Equally important, the our new team member will have strong writing, organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
We're a boutique firm so our AE needs to be capable of everything from developing strategic plans and managing client accounts to answering the phone and canvassing. Our AE will enjoy a work environment packed with variety, vibrancy, and a crew that appreciates collaboration and creativity.
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Job Title: Account Executive
Reports To: Principal
Summary: Responsible for managing all aspects of account work within their dedicated practice as well as performing administrative assignments as needed for the benefit of clients and the firm. The Account Executive (AE) plays a critical role within their practice by managing Account Coordinators and interns, ensuring high quality and accurate work is completed on time. The AE may support 1-2 accounts and/or manage 3-4 accounts or projects independently. In this role, the AE will be responsible for managing and answering the needs of the client on a daily basis, with support from the principal. The AE will also serve as a representative of the company to clients, stakeholders, and the public. Each week, the AE will be responsible for completing 30 to 40 billable hours and for producing the quality and quantity of deliverable appropriate for that billable time. (Administrative hours are paid but are not considered billable agency hours.)
Essential Responsibilities / Duties:
Develops and maintains productive relationships with clients and stakeholders, as well as with the members of the media influencers and influencers with whom he/she will regularly interact.
Demonstrates excellent judgment and ability to solve problems on his/her own. He/she should be able to develop public relations, marketing and social media strategies and coordinate team efforts to implement them
Possesses excellent writing and editing skills. Ability to write to media and other marketing materials as indicated by account supervisor, including public outreach materials, opinion editorials, press releases, marketing materials, pitch letters, source sheets, social media publishing calendars, program reports and memos. He/she must pay close attention to detail, particularly in editing, and be able to multi-task.
Organizes and facilities client meetings, stakeholder outreach activities such as meetings, presentations, open houses, etc.
Ability to serve confidently and effectively as a spokesperson, facilitator, or moderator in public, stakeholder, and client meetings.
Works with account supervisor to develop and implement program strategies and assist in the writing of public relations plans.
Ability to graciously manage and diffuse contentious stakeholder communications; Desire and ability to trust with stakeholders.
Coordinates, facilitates, or assists with initiatives such as creative campaigns, videos, stakeholder outreach, and special events
Conducts research, including measuring public relations, integrated marketing and social media results, which includes, among other tasks, compiling press clips, writing media placement and digital analytics reports.
Manages reporting and tracking billable hours for any accounts worked on including monthly client billing memos, invoicing, and other reporting as necessary.
Builds, coordinates, and monitors client media buys; manages communications with advertising representatives.
Plans, conducts or supervises the media/blogger relations tasks including pitching efforts, follow-up contact, reporting, campaign fulfillment, etc.
Assists with administrative assignments and duties for the firm such as answering phones, running errands, etc.
Fields calls from public infrastructure project phone line, which at times will require the ability to handle and de-escalate upset members of the public; effectively conducts outreach efforts such as canvassing in a positive and personable way.
Technical Skills:
Must possess outstanding writing, editing and communication skills
Must pay close attention to detail, particularly in editing and reporting
Must be proficient with the Microsoft Office suite of products, as well as other Internet tools and technologies such as Gmail, Basecamp and file sharing platforms; Internet research and PowerPoint skills are a must.
Capabilities with design/photo and video software, and website platforms such as Wordpress and Wix are beneficial but not required.
Interpersonal Skills:
Develop and maintain productive, trusting relationships with clients, stakeholders, elected officials, members of the media, and other influencers with whom he/she will regularly interact. Work cooperatively and positively with other members of the Big Sky Public Relations team on a daily basis. Possess a commitment to giving and receiving feedback honestly and graciously.
Requirements:
BA/BS in Communications/Marketing/Public Relations/Integrated Marketing
Minimum 3 to 5 years of professional public relations, marketing and/or social media experience, preferably with a blend of experience with both agency environments and local government entities
Must be proficient in using the Microsoft Office suite of products, as well as other internet tools and technologies such as Gmail, Dropbox, digital task management software, and file sharing platforms; internet research and PowerPoint skills are a must
Excellent media relations skills
Capacity to effectively building trusting relationship with diverse stakeholder groups
Excellent writer
Proven social and digital media expertise
Well-versed in AP Style
Creative, strategic thinker
Strong initiative, leadership skills and work ethic; exacting attention to detail
Excellent communicator
Outstanding ability to work independently
Teamwork mentality including the ability to multi-task in a team-oriented environment
Strong problem-solving skills
Willingness to be flexible
Ability to work in either our Kalispell or Missoula office
Benefits
Medical
Wellness incentives such as gym membership reimbursement
Paid vacation and paid holidays
Annual, customized training opportunities based on employee goals and organizational needs
Job Classification: Full-Time
Work Schedule: The AE typically works 35 to 45 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Work on weekends and evenings will be required. Additional hours may be required during special events or high-volume seasons with project rollouts.
Travel: Yes, 10-20%
Hourly Range: $23/hour - $28.84/hour DOE