Account Director, Media Relations

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Job description

ICF is a mission-driven company filled with people who care deeply about improving the lives of others and making the world a better place. Our core values include Embracing Difference; we seek candidates who are passionate about building a culture that encourages, embraces, and hires dimensions of difference.

ICF Next has won six PR Agency of the Year awards from PRWeek and PRovoke Media, over the last decade, but we are not just another PR agency. We're a new breed, we combine the creativity of an agency with the industry expertise of a consultancy. We are fearless in finding new ways to solve clients' problems, relentless in making sure they pay off, and committed to making positive change in the world.

Join our community of award-winning communicators, mission-driven creatives, strategists, and technologists to challenge the status quo and create internet-shattering campaigns for large consumer brands like this, this and this, or super-smart real-time responses like this and this

Position Overview:

ICF Next is hiring an Account Director, Media Relations to help some of the world's most admired food, beverage and lifestyle brands tell compelling stories and build upon their brand purposes. Ideally based in Chicago, Minneapolis or New York, you will a function as the day-to-day client contact and team lead for a select group of accounts, working closely with account managers and internal teams to develop and execute programs that help our clients meet their goals. This role is for someone with a demonstrated passion for collaborating with teams to solve client challenges, have a knack for crafting the perfect pitch and building smart media relations. Additionally, you will bring your expertise with developing influencer-focused programs and a strong desire to help grow junior team members.

ICF Next seeks an Account Director

As an Account Director you will:

• Play a critical role in partnering with both senior leaders and the junior team to drive campaigns for large consumer clients
• Show passion, energy and ability to identify, translate and capitalize on news hooks and pop culture trends to activate and drive talk value for clients
• Plan and execute PR and influencer strategies including contributing to brainstorms, developing media materials, and being accountable for measurable results and reporting
• Demonstrate strong client communications including developing and participating in presentations, annual plans, recommendations and competitive analyses
• Play a leadership role within our teams, driving skills development for junior media-team members and the larger agency.
• Show tenacious problem-solving skills and a curiosity for what's possible, always thinking of new ways to breakthrough while meeting client's marketing challenges
• Build strong relationships with internal teams while maintaining a positive, can-do attitude and championing great work
• Adapt to ever-changing workload priorities and events with grace and poise
• Work with project management to develop project scopes and have a clear understanding of the budgeting and billing process of the agency as well as an aptitude for sound budget management
• Be inspired by and excited to work on needle-moving campaigns like this and this

As an Account Director, you will have:

• A bachelor's degree is preferred in public relations, communications or journalism
• 8+ years of relevant work experience at a PR agency or an internal communications/marketing team
• Demonstrated experience working on consumer brands - CPG; health and wellness experience, a plus
• The ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with internal and client teams across all levels
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
• Proven experience developing and growing client relationships and media relations
• Ability to oversee and manage third-party partners, from talent to event vendors
• Proven understanding of creating earned and paid media strategies
• Leadership instincts and the ability to identify and elevate great work from junior team members
• Conflict management skills
• Proven ability to work both independently and as part of a team and collaborate regularly with team members at all levels
• Ability to travel as required

#INDEED

#LI-CC1

Working at ICF

Working at ICF means applying a passion for meaningful work with intellectual rigor to help solve the leading issues of our day. Smart, compassionate, innovative, committed, ICF employees tackle unprecedented challenges to benefit people, businesses, and governments around the globe. We believe in collaboration, mutual respect, open communication, and opportunity for growth. If you're seeking to make a difference in the world, visit to find your next career. ICF-together for tomorrow.

We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building an inclusive workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to hiring regardless of any protected characteristic, such as race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability status, or military/veteran status. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read our EEO & AA policy.

COVID-19 Policy: New or prospective U.S. employees must provide proof of complete vaccination on the date of their commencement of employment. If selected for employment, you will provide proof of your full vaccination status, defined as vaccinated two weeks after receiving the requisite number of doses of a COVID-19 vaccine approved or authorized for emergency use by the FDA.

Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation please email and we will be happy to assist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations. Read more about non-discrimination: EEO is the law and Pay Transparency Statement.

Chicago, IL (IL14)