Public Relations
Account Supervisor, Public Affairs
Honolulu
The Account Supervisor (AS) – Public Affairs manages processes, projects, and oversees a team to ensure a high-level of strategic thinking, execution, productivity and efficiency is maintained on all assigned accounts. Utilizes skills in interpersonal communications, conceptualizing strategic direction, problem-solving recommendations, and client consultation, while also performing all public relations functions including writing, media interaction, client liaison and day-to-day administrative activities. Responsible for becoming immersed with client issues, products, markets and media to effectively deal with clients’ PR needs and long-range planning. Necessary management skills include planning, budgeting, scheduling, organizing, and leading. The AS is also heavily involved with company leadership in the maintenance and development of the agency’s corporate initiatives, including administration, professional development, community service efforts, student internship program, internal communications, and other activities. Directs the activities of other junior team members.
Reports to: Director of Account Services
Job Duties and Responsibilities:
- Analyzes situations and develop plans of action, including providing counsel to clients regarding situations and issues.
- Supervises a team of personnel and oversees assigned clients and respective projects to ensure all account service functions are operating a high level of productivity and satisfaction.
- Ensures team is following through on all client projects/tasks as scheduled and deadlines are being met consistently, from the execution of a public relations plan and its tactics, clients’ reports and general administrative duties, including monitoring account productivity/profitability and receivables.
- Develops and writes public relations plans and strategies and makes proactive recommendations to clients.
- Prepares communication materials involved in the implementation of public relations programs for clients. Writes press releases, opinion editorials, white papers, client-attributed articles and other media-related materials.
- Plans and facilitates media training for clients.
- Ensures client and staff retention.
- Works closely with company leadership to identify operational improvements/efficiencies and opportunities to increase profitability for the agency.
- Directs and motivates staff and identifies and resolves any areas of concern.
- Forecasts and manages client budgets.
- Develops initiatives related to agency’s corporate culture, including operational efficiencies/best practices, professional development, student internship program, community service efforts, and other activities.
- Assists in identifying and responding to new business leads, including the review of and responses to Request for Proposals (RFP) and Request for Qualifications (RFQ), participation in new business programs and creating new presentations.
- Leads team in crisis communications situations.
- Leads meetings and brainstorming sessions.
- Maintains relationships with industry and editorial contacts to assure appropriate opportunities are realized for clients.
- Proactively keeps staff abreast of client’s industry and marketplace trends.
- Regularly communicates with clients on status.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Demonstrated ability in issues management and crisis communications.
- Experience in working with elected officials and/or regulatory agencies on public policy issues.
- Interest in political issues at the county, state and federal level.
- Familiarity with land use, transportation, environmental and energy regulation.
- Knowledge and experience in strategic planning, including the writing of public relations plans and strategies.
- Knowledge and understanding of the role of communication in marketing and public relations.
- Knowledge of Hawaii’s history, culture, and lifestyle.
- Strong writing skills to include speeches, testimonies, position papers, etc.
- Excellent problem solving skills.
- Strong project management skills.
- Possess excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Strong public speaking skills.
- Strategic planning and execution skills.
- Ability to counsel clients on public affairs issues.
- Strong ability to focus on accuracy, attention-to-detail, and timeliness.
- Ability to effectively lead meetings.
- Ability to respond well under pressure.
- Ability to work in a team-oriented environment under supervision and on own.
- Ability to teach and inspire and encourage team members to do their best work.
- Ability to keep supervisor properly informed.
- Ability to prioritize workload and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Ability to travel off-island.
- Ability to be on-call for crisis situations.
- Ability to be on-call for crisis situations.
- Ability to work evenings and/or weekends if needed.
- Ability to be on-call for crisis situations.
Job Requirements:
Minimum:
- Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Marketing, Journalism or Communications
- Four (4) years’ experience in a media relations or marketing environment.
- Thorough knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Prezi.
- Possess a valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record.
- Possess strong media relations’ skills.
- Possess quality business and media contacts locally and nationally.
- Previous exposure to crisis communications.
- Willing to be on-call during crisis situations.
Preferred:
- Five years experience in public relations, marketing or communications in an agency setting or managing a team.
- Experience in working with elected officials and/or regulatory agencies.
- Interest in political issues at the county, state and federal level.
- Familiarity with land use, transportation, environmental and energy regulation.
- Understanding of general business practices and procedures.
- Experience leading a team.
- Experience managing projects.
- Experience in crisis and issues management.
- Familiarity with state and city government.
- Experience managing a budget.
- Well-networked in the local community (and across the mainland depending on client needs).
- Active in the community, either through volunteering or as a member of a professional organization.