Assistant Account Executive

Job Description
Assistant Account Executives, like all professional staff at Reputation Partners are expected to:

Maintain a professional, positive and respectful attitude towards colleagues and clients

Consistently produce high quality, error-free work

Consistently meet deadlines, including allowing supervisors ample time to review materials prior to client deadlines

Proactively volunteer for new work/assignments when workload is light

Be available as needed for evening and/or weekend work when client deadlines require it

Actively contribute ideas in team brainstorms (in person and via e-mail)

Participate in team meetings by offering concise and relevant updates on client work and new business assignments

Consistently and accurately track/record billable, new business and administrative hours on timesheets on a daily basis

Read local and national newspapers daily, and read/watch relevant business media (including digital/social) regularly

The Assistant Account Executive position is an exempt position.

Assistant Account Executives primarily are responsible for the following responsibilities on a day-to-day basis. Other responsibilities and assignments may apply.

Client Account/Project Coordination

Coordinate client meetings

Develop meeting agendas

Prepare meeting materials for client/team members, etc.

Actively participate in client meetings/conference calls, and offering ideas and strategies to address client needs

Draft formal written reports setting forth action items and schedules/deadlines determined during client meetings/calls

Consistently and proactively provide updates and strategic thinking to team members on projects, including the status of ongoing projects and deadline–related projects, and areas for improvement

Take ownership of relationships with internal/external vendors (oversee media monitoring services, event planners and designers) to ensure projects are completed in a professional, timely and cost–effective manner

Ensure all deadlines are met by independently prioritizing action items and by “managing up” to ensure supervisor review and feedback in timely manner

Prepare invoice justifications

Use AI tools for appropriate work for efficiency and quality, following the guidelines of RP’s policies

Ability to generate strategic prompts in AI platform and apply AI–generated ideas into day‑to‑day tasks

Writing/Materials Development

Research and draft quality first drafts of documents, ensuring appropriate perspective, tone and style based on assessment of client needs. Such documents include:

Press releases

Media alerts

Fact sheets

Executive bios

Employee newsletter stories

Portions of award entries

Media coverage reports, including digital and social

Reporter/media briefing documents

Client activity reports

Experienced Assistant Account Executives also will be responsible for developing:

Complete award entries

Research analysis/summary reports

Substantive memos to clients

Correspondence from clients to media, influencers, employees, etc.

More advanced press releases, pitch angles, byline abstracts

All materials drafted by professional staff at Reputation Partners must:

Be free of spelling/grammar mistakes

Use proper word choice

Reflect a tone appropriate for the intended audience

Be concise

Be logically/thoughtfully organized

Media Relations

Assist with the planning and execution of both organic and paid social media programs

Research and select appropriate reporters and publications/broadcast outlets for our client assignments

Develop and maintain media lists, ensuring they are up-to-date and contact information is correct

Identify and track relevant editorial calendar opportunities and present those opportunities to the account team well in advance of deadlines

Strategically share news releases and pitches and conduct rigorous follow‑up discussions with reporters to garner interview opportunities for our clients

Regularly read and study target reporters’ bylines to understand their style and approach

Analyze reporter coverage/backgrounds and develop comprehensive media briefing documents for clients

Monitor media coverage of our clients and client’s competitors, including digital and social

Coordinate/facilitate media interviews

Awareness of generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Grammarly, Canva Magic Write)

Basic use of AI for proofreading, summarizing, or idea generation

Research

Independently conduct comprehensive and thorough research to support clients and new business development efforts, including, but not limited to:

Collecting and analyzing historical media coverage of clients/prospects

Researching and identifying potential third parties (NGOs, academics, etc.) that may make ideal partners for our clients/prospects

Collecting and summarizing historical financial performance of clients/prospects (stock price, dividend, etc.)

Effectively use various research channels to collect needed information:

Cision/Universal

Factiva

Lexis‑Nexis

Google/Yahoo! Finance

Demonstrate tenacity and creativity in locating needed/relevant information

Prepare thoughtful analysis of research by distilling information, summarizing key findings for team members, and making appropriate recommendations

Drill down and identify key themes from a large volume of information

Locate breaking news immediately on clients, their industries and their competitors using traditional means (e.g. Google News Alerts and more direct means (e.g. visiting competitors’ websites regularly and reading industry news daily)

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree (Public Relations, Journalism, Communications, Advertising, or related field preferred)

0-2 years’ experience in PR, journalism or other communications function

Ability to write for a variety of media (including digital, social, etc.) and stakeholder audiences.

A strong understanding of social media and knowledge of paid social media campaigns

Excellent organizational skills

Detail‑oriented who can produce high‑quality documents on tight deadlines with minimal supervision

Be knowledgeable beyond public relations and have a working knowledge of advertising and integrated marketing principles

Ability to work in our office in the Chicago Loop Monday - Thursday, with WFH option available on Friday.

Additional Information
We offer a robust benefits package, including Blue Cross/Blue Shield Medical PPO, Principal Dental and Vision coverage, with an HRA; 401(k); generous PTO; FSA for medical, dependent care and parking/transit; employer‑paid Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) for wellness and employer‑provided funds for medical FSA; Employer Assistance Program (EAP); Life and AD&D insurance including voluntary additional coverage available; professional development planning and support; and more.

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