Strategic Account Lead

Hybrid (Irvine, CA)

The Smart Agency is an award-winning public relations, content, and marketing agency serving commercial real estate, housing, investment, and finance organizations nationwide.

The Smart Agency is seeking a Senior Account Manager to lead communications strategy across several client programs and serve as a trusted day-to-day advisor to client teams.

Earned media strategy including pitching, securing coverage, drafting releases and executive quotes, and aligning placements with broader communications goals is central to this role.

Why This Role Exists

Our clients rely on us to translate business priorities into communications strategies that strengthen visibility and positioning in their markets.

This role exists to:

• guide communications programs forward
• ensure earned media supports business goals
• help leadership teams stay proactive in the media
• connect strategy with execution across multiple channels

What You’ll Own

Senior Account Managers lead the strategy and performance of assigned accounts.

You will:

• guide communications direction
• lead client conversations
• shape media positioning
• coordinate campaign execution across teams
• support executive visibility initiatives
• identify opportunities to strengthen programs

What You’ll Do

Lead Client Programs

You will:

• serve as the primary strategic contact
• translate business priorities into communications plans
• guide messaging direction
• lead planning conversations

Lead Earned Media Programs

You will:

• develop media outreach strategies
• pitch announcements and thought leadership
• draft press releases and executive quotes
• secure trade and mainstream coverage
• maintain journalist relationships
• track placement performance and adjust strategy as needed
• coordinate amplification across newsletters and social channels

Support Senior Leadership Communications

You will:

• work directly with senior client stakeholders
• support executive positioning initiatives
• adjust messaging as priorities evolve
• translate leadership goals into communications plans

What Makes This Role Challenging (and Interesting)

This role requires balancing multiple priorities across clients and timelines.

Strong candidates enjoy:

• shaping messaging direction
• working directly with decision-makers
• adjusting plans as situations evolve
• managing several communications programs at once
• translating strategy into execution

What You’ll Get to Influence

You will help shape:

• how companies position themselves in their industries
• how announcements are framed
• how executives participate in thought leadership
• how earned media connects to broader communications programs

What Success Looks Like in the First 6 Months

Within your first six months, you will typically:

• become the primary strategy contact for assigned accounts
• lead several media outreach initiatives
• build relationships with key reporters
• guide messaging direction for announcements
• identify opportunities to strengthen client programs

Traits That Lead to Success

Strong candidates:

• stay calm and solutions-focused in fast-moving or ambiguous situations
• manage multiple accounts and deadlines independently, with attention to detail
• communicate clearly and professionally with clients, media, and internal teams
• proactively look for opportunities to add value and support team goals
• take initiative and follow through without needing constant direction
• stay curious about markets and industries
• approach work with accountability, curiosity, and a willingness to keep learning

How This Role Grows

People who succeed in this role often grow into:

• portfolio leadership roles
• mentoring responsibilities
• expanded strategy ownership across accounts

Experience We’re Looking For

Typically:

• 4–6 years in public relations
• strong earned media placement track record
• comfort leading client conversations
• experience managing multiple client programs simultaneously

Industry familiarity preferred.