Account Manager / Media Strategist (Independent Contractor)
Role Type: Independent Contractor (Full-Time Engagement)
Compensation: Competitive, commensurate with experience
Overview
Bonfire Partners is seeking an Account Manager to be accountable for account results and deliverables while serving as the primary day-to-day client contact. This role requires excellent writing skills, proactive strategic thinking, and the ability to work as a generalist across diverse technology and business clients. Contractors are expected to exercise discretion over how work is performed and may use their own tools, processes, and workflows to deliver agreed-upon outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
- Be accountable for account results, deliverables, and success metrics across the assigned client portfolio
- Develop and execute comprehensive PR strategies aligned with client goals
- Pitch journalists proactively and secure media coverage across top-tier outlets
- Write bylines, briefing documents, press materials, and other client communications
- Schedule and prepare clients for media interviews
- Build and maintain relationships with journalists in relevant beats
- Proactively identify newsjacking and media opportunities before they trend
- Stay current on media landscape through newsletters, industry news, and media monitoring
- Manage client expectations and serve as trusted strategic advisor
- Collaborate with assistants on execution tasks while maintaining responsibility for strategic direction
Required Qualifications
- 4+ years of experience in PR, communications, or journalism
- Excellent writing skills with ability to craft compelling narratives
- Proven ability to secure media coverage and build journalist relationships
- Strong understanding of media landscape and what makes stories newsworthy
- Ability to manage multiple clients and projects simultaneously
- Proactive, self-directed work style with strong organizational skills
- Experience with media databases (Muck Rack or similar)
- Comfortable working in fast-paced, dynamic environment
Preferred Qualifications
- Expertise in one or more specialty areas: law enforcement/public safety, cybersecurity, consumer technology, B2B SaaS/AI, CPG
- Background in journalism or content marketing
- Familiarity with AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, etc.) for workflow optimization
- Experience with social media strategy and content creation
What Success Looks Like
- Consistent top-tier media placements across client portfolio
- High client satisfaction and retention rates
- Proactive identification of media opportunities before they become reactive asks
- Strong journalist relationships that yield exclusive opportunities
- Efficient collaboration with support team to maximize strategic focus
Location & Classification Notice
This role is structured as a full-time independent contractor (1099) engagement. Due to state-specific worker classification, tax, and compliance requirements, we are currently only able to engage contractors who reside in the following U.S. states: TX, FL, GA, NC, SC, TN, AZ, UT, NV, OH, IN.
We periodically reassess eligible locations as regulatory requirements evolve.
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What We Do
Bonfire Partners is a strategic communications agency that helps companies build visibility, credibility, and influence through modern public relations. We partner with founders, executives, and leadership teams to develop communications strategies that support business growth, strengthen reputation, and shape market perception. Our work spans media relations, executive thought leadership, corporate communications, messaging and positioning, content strategy, social media strategy, podcast strategy, influencer partnerships, and integrated PR campaigns. We support companies through key moments including funding announcements, product launches, strategic partnerships, executive visibility, market expansion, brand-building initiatives, and ongoing media engagement. Bonfire Partners works with companies at every stage, from early-stage startups to publicly traded companies. We also partner with portfolio companies backed by leading Silicon Valley venture capital firms, helping them translate business momentum into meaningful awareness and credibility. At our core, we believe great PR is about more than securing headlines. It is about building trust, telling the right story to the right audience, and creating long-term value for the companies we represent.
Why Work With Us
Bonfire is a modern communications agency helping high-growth companies tell stories that drive impact. We combine senior-level strategy with a collaborative, fast-moving approach. We're serious about great work but don't take ourselves too seriously—our team is supportive, curious, ambitious, and genuinely fun to work with.
