Hawthorne Strategy Group is growing and adding an Account Executive to its team. We are looking for someone who will bring energy, enthusiasm, and a commitment to delivering outstanding results to our clients and fellow team members.
Responsibilities
Client Service
- Support day-to-day client account work, including media relations, social media, influencer engagement, awards, speaking programs, and content development.
- Help manage projects by tracking deliverables, timelines, and priorities to ensure quality and alignment with client goals.
- Participate in client calls and meetings, taking notes, drafting recaps, and ensuring follow-up items are completed.
- Research industry trends, competitors, and media opportunities to inform client storytelling.
- Assist in the creation of quarterly campaign plans and PR recommendations.
Media Relations
- Build and maintain relationships with reporters across industries
- Research and develop targeted media lists and pitch opportunities.
- Draft, refine, and distribute pitches that generate coverage aligned with client goals.
- Monitor media coverage and industry news to identify opportunities for client participation.
- Track, analyze, and report on media results and campaign performance.
Writing & Content Development
- Write and edit clear, engaging content across multiple formats, including:
- Press releases, media pitches, and advisories
- Fact sheets, FAQs, presentations, and speaker remarks
- Contributed articles, blogs, and background materials
- Ensure accuracy, tone, and messaging consistency across all client deliverables.
Qualifications
- Earned a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
- Has 1-2 years of PR experience
- Excellent news writing, editing and proofreading abilities
- Strong track record of media pitching and placement
- Demonstrated ability to write copy (pitches, news releases, social posts)
- Experience using MuckRack, Meltwater or similar monitoring and media database tools preferred
- Ability to thrive in a high-pace environment
- Curiosity and willingness to learn and grow
- Strong Microsoft Office and Canva skills
- Previous agency environment is advantageous
Hawthorne Strategy Group specializes in strategic communications, issues management, public policy, and community and media relations. Our process is focused on achieving measurable results, bringing big-picture strategies coupled with focused tactics, Hawthorne provides the experience of a big public relations firm with the tailored attention of a small agency. Our office is hybrid, with three days in the office, two days working from home. Ideally, the person will be based in Chicago, but we are open to other locations.
The salary range for this position is $50,000 to $62,000, with the final offer based on a combination of factors, including education, relevant experience, skills, prior training, internal equity, and local market data. This role also includes a competitive benefits package with medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, short-term and long-term 401(k) contributions with no matching requirement, generous paid time off, and professional development funds, including student loan repayment. Hawthorne is committed to equity and inclusion.
Please submit resume, writing samples, and cover letter to Cynthia McCafferty, Cynthia@hawthornestrategy.com.