Overview

Meraki (mer-ä-kē), v. Greek. To do something with soul, creativity, and passion. 

Meraki Communications Group is an inclusive, full-service marketing agency with a passion for telling stories—whether it’s through brand development, graphic design, and content creation, or stakeholder engagement, public relations, and advertising. Guided by the principles of inclusion, empowerment, and change, our team connects the dots between complex challenges and strategic solutions to produce integrated campaigns that empower and effect lasting change for government agencies, nonprofits, and private-sector companies.Meraki was born out of a vision to serve the interests of populations that have been historically underestimated, underserved, and underrepresented by amplifying voices and causes that might otherwise be overlooked. That vision propels our work, which, at its core, seeks to bridge gaps and create connection points between awareness, access, and opportunity.

We are looking for a self-driven and strategic Account Director who is passionate about using artful and intentional communications tools to create meaningful impact, reach, and engagement.

Do you have impeccable client relationship and media management skills, a strong attention to detail, and a mastery of navigating relationships in the national and D.C. media markets? What about an eye toward strategic thinking and an entrepreneurial mindset? Are you ready to take both the strategic and tactical reins to connect with people in authentic, measurable ways that truly mean something, do something, and make something better?

Then, maybe you’re just who we’re looking for! Our new Account Director will also be responsible for managing and directing staff, including the supervision and development of team members to achieve company and client goals and objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic counsel to clients and key external stakeholders
• Manage project strategy, execution, financials, and client budgets
• Set, develop, implement, and evaluate integrated campaigns
• Lead strategic thinking and collaboration in team settings to respond to client challenges
• Manage all day-to-day client activities, projects, and teams in an effort to build a trusted rapport and partnership with clients
• Define and execute media relations strategies
• Lead and facilitate client meetings and presentations
• Oversee the coordination and successful execution of clients’ media relations plans
• Respond to pressing external inquiries
• Conduct media outreach by creating hooks and pitches to generate media placements on the clients’ behalf
• Manage and coordinate incoming media inquiries
• Craft and provide talking points, media briefing materials and messaging guidance
• Develop and place Opinion Editorials (Op-Eds) and Letters to the Editor (LTEs) in key markets

Minimum Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in media relations, marketing, strategic communications, or reputation management.
• 3+ years of experience in an agency setting, servicing public and private sector clients while providing impact-driven recommendations
• BA/BS in Marketing, Advertising, Public Relations, Communications, English, or a related field
• Management of integrated campaigns that include marketing, digital, and media relations
• Ability to work independently and within a team environment, with strong problem-solving skills. Supervisory and cross-functional team management experience required.
• Proficient in the Microsoft suite, including Teams, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Google’s GSuite
• Ability to successfully pass a government background screening
• Superb verbal and written communication skills with solid proofreading ability
• Mastery of client-facing presentation and facilitation skills
• Excellent organizational skills and keen attention to detail with strong performance in quality control and assurance for all work products
• Experience with financial management and ensuring appropriate project scope allocations, projections, and profit analysis
• Experience with project management tools such as Monday.com, Asana, and Trello
• Consistently demonstrate the ability to set, adhere to, and manage deadlines and due dates, individually and across project and departmental teams
• Capacity to thrive under pressure and to meet tight deadlines
• Flexible and action-oriented, with an ability to adapt to changing situations
• Eagerness to learn by doing and willingness to “do all the things”
• Ability to work independently and within a team environment, with strong problem-solving skills
• Impeccable client relationship and media management skills
• Deep experience coordinating and communicating with journalists and producers to pitch and place stories on behalf of clients and their stakeholders
• Strong grasp of media landscape, technologies and tools, figures, journalists, and best practices
• Understanding of the integration of social and traditional media
• Deep bench of relationships with key D.C., regional, and national reporters

Preferred Qualifications

• Flexible and action-oriented, with an ability to adapt to changing situations
• Experience working in and contributing to an inclusive and collaborative environment
• Ability to push the envelope and think outside the box
• Strong professional work ethic and integrity
• Self-starter who thrives within small team structures
• A passion for change and/or professional experience in any of the following issue areas: human rights, racial equity, social justice, or public health

Job Type

Full-time, exempt.

To Apply

Please submit your resume, a cover letter, two writing samples and two references using our online application here.