Account Director, Strategy & Crisis

Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis is proud to represent clients across many industries including entertainment, social good, tech and lifestyle and we tell their stories through a variety of mediums. We know that even during the toughest times, our responsibility to our clients and each other can bring meaningful and long-lasting impact for those affected the most. We’re proud of each and every campaign we execute, but you may be wondering why we don’t have more than a landing page as our website. While many of our clients are household names (you know them, we’re sure of it), our digital footprint is purposefully small. We fly under the radar and we like it that way.

If you are fired up and ready to do good, join us! 

We have an immediate opening for an Account Director in our New York office on our Strategy & Crisis Team. This role will support a variety of clients in public affairs, issues management, legal, banking/finance, healthcare, etc. It’s yours if you are someone who is passionate about your work and are cool and calm under pressure You’re the type of person who can read a room well, you know when you command and own it and you also know when you take a step back. You’re so focused on the best strategy to a problem that you don’t have time to get star-struck! We are looking for someone who wakes up every day checking everything from POLITICO, to the Washington Post, to the New York Times.

Our candidate is curious. While they will work on crisis and public affairs clients, they may also touch healthcare, real estate, tech or corporate accounts. They see this as a challenge and opportunity to grow their skills.

Our account directors lead accounts (no surprise there), counseling the client, providing fresh ideas, motivating the team, ensuring goals are being met and…they still pitch!

Responsibilities Include:

• Leading strategy and counsel for clients in crisis and issues management.
• Developing and executing comprehensive communications and public affairs strategies.
• Providing thought leadership opportunities for clients and serving as a leader within the agency.
• Leading client accounts and conducting media trainings for Sunshine Sachs clients, top executives and celebrities.
• Leading new business proposals and RFP responses.
• Training and mentoring junior staff on the inner workings and executions of crisis & strategy, PR, media relations, and overall work approach.
• Managing junior staff and helping them to grow their careers.
• Responding to client requests and ensure requests are taken care of in an efficient manner.
• Working directly with lobbyists and attorneys for clients.
• Support administration of accounts including developing agendas, meeting recaps, activity reports, client status reports and budget trackers.

You should apply if:

• You have at least 8 years working in PR, specific experience in politics, government, legal affairs, finance, or regulatory matters.
• You’ve managed a team with direct oversight for at least 2 years (of those 8 mentioned above).
• You know how to navigate New York stakeholders, thought leaders, and media.
• You are a strong writer – persuasive, concise, creative, and quick!
• You believe yourself to be excellent at pitching new business – confidence is key!
• You have established press contacts
• You are a strategic thinker, bring new ideas to the table, and love a good brainstorm.
• You have strong decision-making abilities and accountability; this is an important role, own it!
• You have an innate curiosity and an entrepreneurial spirit
• You are incredibly organized, detail oriented and able to excel at managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• You’re willing to work select evenings/weekends and travel when necessary.
• You enjoy overdelivering rather than meeting expectations and take genuine pride in being part of something good.

Benefits x Perks

We go well beyond the benefits that you’re looking for like medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with matching, annual merit-based bonuses, PTO, fertility, FSA for medical, childcare, and commuter expenses. Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis offers those benefits and many perks including, a flexible work schedule, Work from Anywhere program, Summer Fridays, Wellness Days, and a 4-week sabbatical or trip to celebrate select anniversaries. We love to socialize so, we have collaborative workspaces, some offices even have rooftops, celebrations, networking opportunities, and community volunteering. We frequently mark opportunities to listen, learn and act throughout the year (Juneteenth, Election Day, International Women’s Day, etc.).

SSM&L is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and ability. We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, identity and expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

There’s more!

From day one, employees are carefully matched with a mentor to guide them on their path to success. Training and mentoring are a big deal here and since we are into promoting from within, we make sure to provide more than enough tools for you to learn and grow. We are proud to offer training throughout the year on topics for professional growth as well as personal growth. We have also developed a series of teaching workshops that are structured for each level of the company. Sunshiners also take love to take advantage of the monthly Meet the Media series where media contacts provide valuable insider info for pitching them and their colleagues.