Public Relations Assistant Account Executive

Derris is a brand consultancy headquartered in New York City and London. We approach our work methodically, telling stories with universal impact through strategy, positioning, content and communications. We challenge conventional thinking and seek to work with people who have an open mind for new ideas. We have a dual-pronged approach: first we help clients shape their message and then we help them communicate that story through media, only working with people, companies and causes we believe in.

ABOUT DERRIS

Derris is here to help build great brands. From lifestyle and fashion, to food & beverage, health & wellness, home & hospitality, technology, nonprofit, finance, real estate, sports and more — we work with both new and established companies to develop narratives that stand out in cluttered industries. We create unique messaging and execute strategic media relations programs that blend traditionally separate practice areas to offer clients a holistic approach to both consumer and business storytelling. A few of the clients on our roster include: Rhode, Starface, Olaplex, Cécred, Warby Parker, Reformation and Bombas.

In 2022 we joined Orchestra, a strategic communications and marketing company built for today’s complex and fragmented world. As part of Orchestra, we can offer services from strategic insights to public affairs—and expertise across philanthropy, travel, politics and more. Our partner agencies include BerlinRosen, Civitas, Glen Echo Group, Inkhouse, M18, Message Lab, Onward and Small Girls PR. It also launched Brightmode, a talent acquisition firm for communications professionals.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

Derris is seeking an Assistant Account Executive to join the team. Working across a variety of accounts, you will have the opportunity to grow your brand and public relations skills, work with diverse teams and learn from some of the best in the industry.

Role location: This role is based in our New York, N.Y. office on a hybrid basis. Derris staff are in-office 3 days per week, Tuesday through Thursday.

ACCOUNTABILITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Manage, track and update the day-to-day client tasks within your respective teams
• Respond to all client requests and team needs in a timely and respectful manner
• Effectively develop a wide range of materials such as press releases, fact sheets, client correspondence, reports and others as assigned
• Organize and maintain relevant team files such as reports, contracts, project estimates and competitive activity
• Assist the team in executing all relevant client and media events, press conferences, tours, interviews, etc.
• Begin to develop a list of media contacts
• Conduct appropriate research to pitch targeted media contacts
• Research client executives, conferences and trending topics to summarize into presentable reports
• Monitor and advise senior team members on status of projects, due dates and necessary developments
• Coordinate all aspects of moving projects along with your team
• Manage our internship program and provide mentorship for junior-level staff
• Demonstrate our core values as a continual team player with hustle
• Strong desire to increase your knowledge and expertise in the industry, consistently consuming media for this very purpose

Essential skills:

• 0-2 years of experience within a public relations role (internship experience included)
• Ability to successfully time manage and juggle multiple accounts and competing priorities
• Drive to stretch your skills across industry verticals
• Constant desire to consume media in the appropriate fields and maintain a pulse on the industry and trends
• Capable of identifying when to manage problems up to the appropriate team members
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work both independently and in a dynamic, high energy, team-oriented atmosphere
• Detail oriented and able to work with multiple clients and meet strict deadlines

Compensation: The salary range for this role is $50,000-$55,000, commensurate with experience.

Benefits & Perks

• Employer-sponsored Health, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Pre-tax Health Savings Account Savings Plan (HSA-SP) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• 401K with a 4% employer match and no vesting period
• Free lunch 1x per week
• Generous paid time off (PTO), inclusive of general PTO, 13 paid bank holidays and 2 days for volunteer work
• Summer Fridays
• Pre-tax commuter benefits
• Parental leave
• Monthly cell phone data reimbursement
• Life insurance
• Short and long-term disability insurance
• Continuous skills training tailored to your role