Media Relations Account Manager

Media Relations Account Manager

About The Hayes Initiative

The Hayes Initiative (THI) is a nationally respected public affairs firm, trusted by leaders to navigate high-stakes moments at the intersection of communications, government relations, and stakeholder management. THI’s rapid growth is rooted in a simple idea: delivering top-tier service to every client.

THI’s exceptional work has earned prestigious recognitions, including being finalists for “Best Boutique Agency” at the PRWeek Awards and winning the “Best PR Firm Award” from the Stevie American Business Awards in 2022. City & State has featured THI in its annual list of PR Power firms for the past two consecutive years.

THI’s team of trusted and knowledgeable advisors know that the right connections, preparation, and a defined mission will translate to action and deliver results. THI has served leaders at the highest levels including presidential candidates; members of the U.S. Cabinet, governors, and other elected officials; C-Suite executives; law enforcement officials; and high-ranking health and legal professionals. THI has worked with multi-million-dollar tech companies, fast-growing small businesses, and political candidates and advocacy groups. During the pandemic, THI provided pro-bono services to small businesses, in particular New York City restaurants, to help them navigate crisis communications and government relations, while also organizing and lobbying for sidewalk cafes and PPP loans.

THI has advised clients involved in complex legal matters and managed high-stakes media relations during crises such as Bridgegate, airport security breaches, and natural disasters including Superstorm Sandy and hurricane relief efforts in the U.S. Virgin Islands. THI facilitates events around the world from large conferences and galas to bilateral meetings with heads of state and executives. THI has a long-standing record of securing and managing interviews with all of the major national print and broadcast outlets.

At THI, we deftly navigate high-pressure, politically sensitive, or confidential issues while demonstrating the utmost level of discretion and good judgment. The firm is proud of its work in the advocacy space and are passionate about efforts to help organizations build inclusivity in all aspects of their operations.

Role summary, Account Manager

The Media Relations Account Manager must have a minimum of 2–3 years of experience in public relations, public affairs, or media relations. This role leads day-to-day management of THI clients across media, communications, government relations, and community relations. 

They will oversee day-to-day execution of client deliverables and contribute to strategic development. This includes full project management for client timelines, balancing expectations from clients and THI leadership and using all firm resources — both technology and staff — to deliver strong results. An ideal candidate can independently manage at least 10 clients with limited support from senior leadership.

The primary responsibility of this role is to manage and produce deliverables for THI’s clients.

The ideal candidate brings experience working on large-scale initiatives, announcements, events, or projects with government or community-relations components. THI expects Account Managers to proactively bring forward solutions, think creatively, and act as “first responders” in ensuring client satisfaction and success. While training is provided, success in this role requires confidence in managing clients, using senior staff as a sounding board rather than relying on them to problem-solve.

Project Management

• Manage all tasks tied to executing THI’s scope of work with clients, including:
• Creatively build-out plans to reach client objectives
• Identifying and planning all steps necessary to execute strategy
• Managing client expectations and those of THI senior leadership
• Managing time aggressively to stay within allocated client hours and increase efficiency over time
• Handling internal and external communications promptly; all emails, texts, and calls must receive timely responses, with every communication addressed within 24 hours
• Must integrate THI project management and AI technologies to rapidly and fastidiously organize and produce client materials but without losing a personal command of the materials, and always build in time for human refinement of AI-supported work production.

Media Relations

• Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists, producers, assignment editors, influencers, and key stakeholders in the music and entertainment space
• Proactively pitch press and secure coverage for news, initiatives, events, partnerships, activations, and announcements
• Oversee development and distribution of press releases, media assets, fact sheets, and other materials

Writing

• Draft op-eds, blog posts, speeches, and memos on policy and political topics; must be able to write well quickly. Must be able to summarize complicated subjects simply and create catchy headline-style talking points that can be understood by the public who has no education in the particular subject.

Research

• Produce executive-style memos on public policy issues
• Gather background materials on potential clients, reporters and outlets, and current events
• Lead speechwriting and messaging 
• Analyze and distill complex topics with a focus on compelling details that enhance storytelling
• Monitor industry trends, public policy developments, and political news

Client Relations

• Lead client engagement and contribute to building relationships with external partners
• Use firm tools such as bi-monthly happy hours and other events to network effectively on behalf of THI

Operations

• Lead administrative support and coordinate work across multiple projects
• Handle scheduling for senior team members and manage organizational processes and deadlines
• Oversee fellows and interns
• Build and maintain media distribution lists in MuckRack
• Lead with onsite event needs, including check-in, press coordination, escorting principals, and assisting event staff

Communication with Leadership

• Ensure senior management remains fully informed of client progress
• Assist senior leadership in maintaining client relationships  

Essential Skills

• 2–3 years of media relations experience required — either at a PR firm or in-house
• Positive attitude and ability to work flexibly and collaboratively in a virtual environment
• Strong ability to synthesize information concisely and quickly
• Ability to follow verbal direction quickly and accurately
• Strong news awareness and understanding of media dynamics, particularly how to create compelling story hooks
• Extensive understanding of social media content creation and execution of all social media channels (paid and organic)
• Ability to multitask, manage multiple assignments at once, work quickly, and meet deadlines while maintaining attention to detail
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Very strong technical proficiency in Word, Excel,PowerPoint, Google Suite, ChatGPT and other AI tools
• Familiarity with MuckRack for media pitching and monitoring is preferred but not required
• Understanding of organizing and advocacy communications, including social media campaigning and politics at the local, state, or national level

Working at The Hayes Initiative

The Hayes Initiative will make sure that you have what you need to excel in your role, including:

• A positive, supportive, and collaborative team with commitment to helping all staff learn and grow
• A competitive salary based on leading market rates
• 80% coverage of Health, Dental, and Vision insurance monthly premiums
• 401K is provided with a match program. The program has a tiered match up to 3.50% from the employer. In order to maximize the matching program, the employee must contribute 6% of their salary.
• Generous paid time off, in which we encourage staff to take sufficient time for self-care
• Paid time off for all bank holidays. 
• In addition, THI is closed  the week of the July 4th holiday and the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. We aim to be totally off during these times, but all employees agree that we may have client obligations during these dates.