Senior Publicist

Who are we?
J/PR is a global communications firm specializing in public relations, content creation, and social media. We work with some of the best hotels, resorts and lifestyle brands in the world, including Relais & Chateaux, Vail Resorts Hospitality and Hilton Luxury Brands to name a few. You can see our current client list here. Being a part of this international powerhouse agency will connect you to a roster of distinguished hotels, resorts, restaurants, real estate projects, and destinations across the globe, elevating your career (and your frequent flier status). We tell compelling original stories to connect brands to their target audiences. We’re passionate, professional, and purpose-driven. We're dedicated to our work, the agency, our clients, and each other.

Forbes said “These are the Women Dictating Where You’re Traveling,” and Inc. Magazine featured J/PR in an article titled, “How Two Millennial-ish Women Built a PR Powerhouse.” This is in addition to numerous awards like PR News Best Places to Work, New York Observer PR Power 5 for five years in a row, The PR Net 100, Forbes Five Star Agency, PR Couture Spotlight Agency of the Year, and Crain’s Best Places to Work (to name a few). 

At J/PR, we’re incredibly intentional about our company culture, and we wholeheartedly believe in a work-life blend, where you'll be empowered to continue learning and growing through travel, mentorship, training, and retreats, along with a connected company culture.

The Role
You are seasoned in media relations, the client go-to, and are starting to work on account strategy when not flawlessly executing a FAM or Media Mission. You play a crucial role in not just delivering big hits, features, and profile stories for clients, but also begin taking a bigger role in helping Account Leads manage the team and leading in-person client-facing interactions. At this stage, the ideal person has solid media relationships in place (in both regional and national markets), meets with media regularly, and is constantly concepting pitch angles based on sound research to get media engaged and excited. In this role, the ideal candidate will take proactive ownership, overseeing the strategy for media relations-focused tasks, looking at accounts holistically to understand what is needed, and then jumping in for team members at all levels to help / alleviate where needed.

Duties and Responsibilities 

Account + Client Management

• Day-to-day client go-to
• Proactive approach to managing client needs/expectations
• Lead portions of client calls
• May lead smaller accounts with senior leadership oversight
• Assist with strategy, planning, implementation and evaluation of PR activities
• Creative brainstorming, program and pitch development
• Build relationships with destinations, CVBs and offices of tourism in the markets that serve your clients
• Identify and present at least one proactive strategic storytelling opportunity or media moment for each client every month.
• Strengthen client relationships by creating at least one proactive, high-value client interaction each month that demonstrates strategic thinking, anticipates client needs, or uncovers new opportunities.

Media and Influencer Relations

• Nurture your network of editor, writer, and freelance connections for agency clients, as well as create new relationships,  through ongoing introductions, targeted pitches, and minimum of 2 (two) media meetings (phone, virtual, or in-person) each month. Continue to be a trusted source of media knowledge for your teams
• Have a wide range of go-to media contacts making you (and your clients) look like a star as you secure top-tier national press and features 
• Proactive media relations (pitching, organizing media/influencer visits, reviewing & approving media lists) is very much the focus of your day-to-day
• Regularly dig into newspapers, magazines, broadcasts, blogs, and digital pieces to find new angles, new editors, and new contributors to create new relationships
• Organize pitch priorities; assign and oversee the progress of pitches to team members with the support of account leadership
• Regularly coordinate in-person media meetings with journalists on location
• Secure and host media and influencers on press trips, media appointments, and events

Team Leadership

• Oversee the workflow of junior team members 
• Begin to plan 90-day and annual plans to impact client goals and KPI’s 
• Regularly lead the junior team through projects to make check marks against goals and KPI’s

Industry / J/PR

• You confidently secure meetings with relevant brands that may impact your clients' goals
• There is an organization or two you’ve become attached to outside the office where you’re networking and creating unique connections
• You seek out opportunities for learning by attending conferences, workshops, and events on behalf of the agency
• Attend conferences, workshops, and events on behalf of the agency

Other

• And other tasks, projects, or duties as required 

Experience

• College Degree or comparable experience required 
• At least 3-5 years of public relations experience in travel, hospitality, tourism, culinary restaurant and/or consumer lifestyle arenas
• Must have stellar hotel, restaurant, and media references
• Must have strong and proven relationships with local, regional, and national media contacts

Requirements

• Ability to travel for client needs
• Excellent computer skills, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint in a Microsoft Windows environment
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills, experience in a hospitality environment is a plus
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Must be able to identify and resolve problems in a timely manner
• Strong knowledge of media and news cycles
• Ability to thrive in a deadline-driven environment
• Strong understanding of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
• Strong understanding of Influencer relations and engagement
• Polished and professional demeanor 
• Must have a valid passport for international travel

Benefits

• Competitive base salary: $70,000-72,000, commensurate with experience 
• Commission opportunities
• Eligibility for year-end discretionary bonus
• Monthly Cell Phone Stipend
• Company-sponsored medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401K with employer match
• Accrued PTO
• Birthday PTO
• Flexible Release Fridays
• Hotel trade with our world-class clients (complimentary stays across our entire portfolio)
• Hybrid office schedule 
• Corporate ClassPass discounts
• Pet insurance discounts
• Milestone gifts at 1, 5, and 10 years
• Annual holiday and summer parties, plus regular socials 
• Ongoing training and development opportunities