Account Coordinator

The Account Coordinator (AC) plays a key support role within a public relations agency or communications team. This entry-level position is ideal for a proactive, detail-oriented individual who is passionate about storytelling and life sciences. The AC works closely with the account staff to support communications and learn public relations skills while working with a number of clients in their group. This is intended as a learning position.

Responsibilities:

• Works actively to develop a broad understanding of the PR/IR business by performing a range of well-defined assignments
• Contributes actively in group and team meetings, as well as in brainstorming, developing and researching client programs
• Is familiar with communications plans for accounts and actively seeks to develop an understanding of clients' business and account objectives
• Keeps current on account issues and developments, understands clients' marketplaces, competitive environment
• Identifies and pursues opportunities for getting involved and contributing to accounts and agency
• Maintains quality standards in client service

Professional Skills:

• Continues to strengthen media relations skills, including pitching and relationship development, media monitoring and alerts, and media outreach
• Assists in arranging meetings and events, including news conferences, analyst meetings, annual meetings and special events
• Assists in the development of storylines and other tactical program elements that further clients' objectives
• Demonstrates learning of the fundamentals of graphics, production and printing, video and broadcast, IT and emerging media
• Understands and is proficient in serving as a preferred contact for vendors and vendor services the agency utilizes

Financial/Administrative:

• Develops and applies understanding of billing and budgeting processes
• Learns how to prepare well-documented, thorough activities reports
• Completes timesheets daily and otherwise acts in accordance with agency policies and procedures
• Manages time for optimum productivity, understanding appropriate time commitments on projects
• Seeks other assignments when workload is light
• Contributes to agency meetings

Business Development:

• Conducts research and due diligence; prepares briefing books for pitch teams
• Participates in development of programs and new business pitches for new and existing clients, as assigned
• Researches potential new business opportunities
• Routinely contributes informed opinions and suggestions, as well as creative and effective answers, to client issues and needs
• Participates and/or leads brainstorming sessions to identify communications solutions

Requirements:

• Must have an advanced degree in life science discipline
• Ideal candidate will have at least one year of public relations, marketing, journalism or science experience.
• Must have demonstrable written and verbal skills, familiarity with media and/or the financial community, high energy, enthusiasm and good organizational skills