Public Relations Associate Account Manager

Changing how the world does business&One press release at a time. 

Straus Communications, based in San Francisco, is a unique public relations firm specializing in ethical consumerism. We promote companies and organizations that do well by doing good - socially responsible businesses including organic and artisan foods, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, eco-fashion, personal health and wellness, and land conservation.

We're looking for an Associate Account Manager - a dyed-in-the-wool public relations wonk who shares our deep commitment to environmental issues and professional success.  You must have experience in and a passion for working with the media.

You should have a proven interest in or commitment to the core issues of sustainability, green business, and CSR. You should also have a strong desire to join a small business. We have spent 6 years growing our client base and our business; we honestly love our work, and want to hire a person who feels proud to work for us, and for our clients who represent integrity of thought and action in their businesses.

We will only consider candidates that have at the minimum three (3) years of Public Relations work experience in a client-facing position, either in-house, with an agency, or as an established freelancer. We demand excellent writing, editing and oral communications skills, intuitive understanding of the media and the ability to thrive in a small office atmosphere.

The Associate Account Manager reports to the two company principals. As our agency is small, this is a hybrid position requiring direct client management of small and mid-sized accounts as well as support of the our two principals in large client management. You will have administrative support from our account coordinator and interns. Roles and responsibilities of this job can shift due to the nature of our clients' business and our role in promoting them; we seek a flexible person that is comfortable in both a leadership and supporting role.

If you have no formal work experience in media relations or public relations, please do not apply.  Repeat: if you have no formal work experience in media relations or public relations, please do not apply. Thanks.

Strong career advancement potential exists in our rapidly growing firm as our client base expands.

Responsibilities include:

• Media Relations
• Developing relationships with, and pitching stories to, consumer and trade press; leading and assisting in story development
• Media outreach, strategizing with principals and other staff
• Strategic communications planning
• Account Management
• Daily direct management of small client accounts
• Hybrid management/support of principals for large or new accounts
• Client Administrative Support
• Database management
• Supervising monthly reporting for clients
• Day-to-day client contact and maintenance of press materials
• Working directly with and supervising account coordinator and interns for project support
• Creative
• Writing/ editing press materials, including releases & backgrounders
• Research - background on issues, companies, legal, news, nutrition, etc.

Qualifications:

• 3 - 6 years formal work experience in Public Relations, Journalism, or Communications
• Deep interest and experience in sustainability and green consumerism
• Strong computer skills - MS Office suite, Photoshop, various databases, basic HTML
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational skills

Compensation:

• Full-time salaried position
• Salary: DOE
• 1 week paid vacation and 5 national holidays
• Health and dental benefits

Start date: February 1