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Media Relations Account Manager
About The Hayes Initiative
The Hayes Initiative (THI) is a nationally respected public affairs firm, trusted by leaders to navigate high-stakes moments at the intersection of communications, government relations, and stakeholder management. THI’s rapid growth is rooted in a simple idea: delivering top-tier service to every client.
THI’s exceptional work has earned prestigious recognitions, including being finalists for “Best Boutique Agency” at the PRWeek Awards and winning the “Best PR Firm Award” from the Stevie American Business Awards in 2022. City & State has featured THI in its annual list of PR Power firms for the past two consecutive years.
THI’s team of trusted and knowledgeable advisors know that the right connections, preparation, and a defined mission will translate to action and deliver results. THI has served leaders at the highest levels including presidential candidates; members of the U.S. Cabinet, governors, and other elected officials; C-Suite executives; law enforcement officials; and high-ranking health and legal professionals. THI has worked with multi-million-dollar tech companies, fast-growing small businesses, and political candidates and advocacy groups. During the pandemic, THI provided pro-bono services to small businesses, in particular New York City restaurants, to help them navigate crisis communications and government relations, while also organizing and lobbying for sidewalk cafes and PPP loans.
THI has advised clients involved in complex legal matters and managed high-stakes media relations during crises such as Bridgegate, airport security breaches, and natural disasters including Superstorm Sandy and hurricane relief efforts in the U.S. Virgin Islands. THI facilitates events around the world from large conferences and galas to bilateral meetings with heads of state and executives. THI has a long-standing record of securing and managing interviews with all of the major national print and broadcast outlets.
At THI, we deftly navigate high-pressure, politically sensitive, or confidential issues while demonstrating the utmost level of discretion and good judgment. The firm is proud of its work in the advocacy space and are passionate about efforts to help organizations build inclusivity in all aspects of their operations.
Role summary, Account Manager
The Media Relations Account Manager must have a minimum of 3–8 years of experience in public relations, public affairs, or media relations. This role leads day-to-day management of THI clients across media, communications, government relations, and community relations.
They will oversee day-to-day execution of client deliverables and contribute to strategic development. This includes full project management for client timelines, balancing expectations from clients and THI leadership and using all firm resources — both technology and staff — to deliver strong results. An ideal candidate can independently manage at least 10 clients with limited support from senior leadership.
The primary responsibility of this role is to manage and produce deliverables for THI’s clients.
The ideal candidate brings experience working on large-scale initiatives, announcements, events, or projects with government or community-relations components. THI expects Account Managers to proactively bring forward solutions, think creatively, and act as “first responders” in ensuring client satisfaction and success. While training is provided, success in this role requires confidence in managing clients, using senior staff as a sounding board rather than relying on them to problem-solve.
Project Management
- Manage all tasks tied to executing THI’s scope of work with clients, including:
- Creatively build-out plans to reach client objectives
- Identifying and planning all steps necessary to execute strategy
- Managing client expectations and those of THI senior leadership
- Managing time aggressively to stay within allocated client hours and increase efficiency over time
- Handling internal and external communications promptly; all emails, texts, and calls must receive timely responses, with every communication addressed within 24 hours
- Must integrate THI project management and AI technologies to rapidly and fastidiously organize and produce client materials but without losing a personal command of the materials, and always build in time for human refinement of AI-supported work production.
Media Relations
- Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists, producers, assignment editors, influencers, and key stakeholders in the music and entertainment space
- Proactively pitch press and secure coverage for news, initiatives, events, partnerships, activations, and announcements
- Oversee development and distribution of press releases, media assets, fact sheets, and other materials
Writing
- Draft op-eds, blog posts, speeches, and memos on policy and political topics; must be able to write well quickly. Must be able to summarize complicated subjects simply and create catchy headline-style talking points that can be understood by the public who has no education in the particular subject.
Research
- Produce executive-style memos on public policy issues
- Gather background materials on potential clients, reporters and outlets, and current events
- Lead speechwriting and messaging
- Analyze and distill complex topics with a focus on compelling details that enhance storytelling
- Monitor industry trends, public policy developments, and political news
Client Relations
- Lead client engagement and contribute to building relationships with external partners
- Use firm tools such as bi-monthly happy hours and other events to network effectively on behalf of THI
Operations
- Lead administrative support and coordinate work across multiple projects
- Handle scheduling for senior team members and manage organizational processes and deadlines
- Oversee fellows and interns
- Build and maintain media distribution lists in MuckRack
- Lead with onsite event needs, including check-in, press coordination, escorting principals, and assisting event staff
Communication with Leadership
- Ensure senior management remains fully informed of client progress
- Assist senior leadership in maintaining client relationships
Essential Skills
- 3 – 8 years of media relations experience required — either at a PR firm or in-house
- Positive attitude and ability to work flexibly and collaboratively in a virtual environment
- Strong ability to synthesize information concisely and quickly
- Ability to follow verbal direction quickly and accurately
- Strong news awareness and understanding of media dynamics, particularly how to create compelling story hooks
- Extensive understanding of social media content creation and execution of all social media channels (paid and organic)
- Ability to multitask, manage multiple assignments at once, work quickly, and meet deadlines while maintaining attention to detail
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Very strong technical proficiency in Word, Excel,PowerPoint, Google Suite, ChatGPT and other AI tools
- Familiarity with MuckRack for media pitching and monitoring is preferred but not required
- Understanding of organizing and advocacy communications, including social media campaigning and politics at the local, state, or national level
Working at The Hayes Initiative
The Hayes Initiative will make sure that you have what you need to excel in your role, including:
- A positive, supportive, and collaborative team with commitment to helping all staff learn and grow
- A competitive salary based on leading market rates
- 80% coverage of Health, Dental, and Vision insurance monthly premiums
- 401K is provided with a match program. The program has a tiered match up to 3.50% from the employer. In order to maximize the matching program, the employee must contribute 6% of their salary.
- Generous paid time off, in which we encourage staff to take sufficient time for self-care
- Paid time off for all bank holidays.
- In addition, THI is closed the week of the July 4th holiday and the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. We aim to be totally off during these times, but all employees agree that we may have client obligations during these dates.
Compensation
$90,000 to $150,000 depending on experience
How to Apply
Please submit your resume to info@hayesinitiative.com, with the subject line “Media Relations Account Manager” and please reference where you found the job (LinkedIn, City & State, Friend, etc).
Public Relations Fellow
About The Hayes Initiative
The Hayes Initiative (THI) is a nationally respected public affairs firm, trusted by leaders to navigate high-stakes moments at the intersection of communications, government relations, and stakeholder management. THI’s rapid growth is rooted in a simple idea: delivering top-tier service to every client.
THI’s exceptional work has earned prestigious recognitions, including being finalists for “Best Boutique Agency” at the PRWeek Awards and winning the “Best PR Firm Award” from the Stevie American Business Awards in 2022. City & State has featured THI in its annual list of PR Power firms for the past two consecutive years.
THI’s team of trusted and knowledgeable advisors know that the right connections, preparation, and a defined mission will translate to action and deliver results. THI has served leaders at the highest levels including presidential candidates; members of the U.S. Cabinet, governors, and other elected officials; C-Suite executives; law enforcement officials; and high-ranking health and legal professionals. THI has worked with multi-million-dollar tech companies, fast-growing small businesses, and political candidates and advocacy groups. During the pandemic, THI provided pro-bono services to small businesses, in particular New York City restaurants, to help them navigate crisis communications and government relations, while also organizing and lobbying for sidewalk cafes and PPP loans.
THI has advised clients involved in complex legal matters and managed high-stakes media relations during crises such as Bridgegate, airport security breaches, and natural disasters including Superstorm Sandy and hurricane relief efforts in the U.S. Virgin Islands. THI facilitates events around the world from large conferences and galas to bilateral meetings with heads of state and executives. THI has a long-standing record of securing and managing interviews with all of the major national print and broadcast outlets.
At THI, we deftly navigate high-pressure, politically sensitive, or confidential issues while demonstrating the utmost level of discretion and good judgment. The firm is proud of its work in the advocacy space and are passionate about efforts to help organizations build inclusivity in all aspects of their operations.
Role Summary, PR Fellow
The Hayes Initiative Fellowship is a 16-week full-time work experience and training program. The Fellow must be a recent college graduate or nearing completion of a graduate degree program or within the first 12 months of their professional public relations and communications career. The Fellow will assist Managers with: media research and outreach; presentations; internal and external project coordination; building media lists and databases; and compiling client reports. They will join a small but fast-growing team and assist in managing the day-to-day execution of client deliverables and support strategy development with oversight and coordination of the Account Manager and other team members.
Role Summary Continued
The ideal candidate will have experience with large-scale initiatives/projects/announcements/events with a government and/or community relations overlay.
Additionally, this opportunity has the potential to lead to permanent, full-time employment as an Account Manager; therefore, all eligible applicants must be willing to work out of our NY office 2x/per week upon completion of the Fellowship, as it is a condition of accepting a spot in the Fellowship program.
The THI Fellowship prioritizes career and skills development. Fellows will be paired with a current THI staff member who will serve as a mentor and offer ongoing support and training throughout the Fellowship program.
Primary Responsibilities
- Develop your writing: With initial teaching and guidance from the Account Manager and firm team members, learn to draft op-eds, blog posts, speeches, and memos on policy topics and political issues.
- Increase Research Experience: With oversight from the Account Manager, produce memos explaining substantive public policy issues. Collect background material on potential clients, reporters, news outlets, and current events. Contribute research to inform speechwriting and messaging development. Should be able to analyze and distill complex topics with an eye for the colorful details that make for good storytelling. Closely follow industry trends, relevant public policy developments, and political news.
- Client relations: In coordination with the Account Manager, support THI clients and help cultivate THI’s relationships with our external partners.
- Keep your team organized: Provide administrative support, coordinate work across multiple projects, including scheduling for senior team members, managing various organizational processes and deadlines, and assisting interns. Create and build media distribution lists for media outreach (prior MuckRack experience preferred) for the Account Manager to review. Assist with event check-in, press pen coordination, escorting talent, and general needs of event staff during client events.
- Develop Media Relationships: In efforts and guidance with the Account Manager, conduct strategic and thorough media outreach to land stories for our clients; develop creative hooks to capture reporters’ interests, understand each reporter’s audience, distribute press releases and media advisories; follow up with media to verify contact information, pitch status and ultimately build your media network.
- Utilize AI Tools: Proactively use AI tools to augment and improve your work alongside Account Managers. Conduct research and test new AI tools to share with the broader team for firmwide adoption.
Requirements
- Must be based in New York City for the Fellowship program duration.
- Must have recently achieved a bachelor’s degree or near completing a graduate degree program.
- Must be available Monday through Friday, 9am – 5pm ET: THI practices a hybrid work environment. We operate Monday – Friday from 9 am – 5 pm EST, and when required to fulfill contractual obligations to our clients, we work outside those hours. On Mondays and Wednesdays, the team meets in person. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, the team works remotely unless we need to meet in person.
- Must be able to attend evening and weekend events as needed.
- Must be comfortable working in various settings that include an office environment, at high-profile events, and, most importantly, the ability to work efficiently in a remote environment.
- Must have a strong interest in news, politics, and current events.
- Must have access to a working cell phone, computer, and high-speed WiFi.
- Previous media/communications experience preferred.
Compensation
-
The Fellowship is a paid opportunity at a rate of $25.96/hour and will be paid out on a bi-weekly basis.
Benefits
- $200 stipend to support your work-from-home setup.
- Three days of Personal Time Off (PTO) for the fellowship duration, plus paid bank holidays.
- THI closes annually during the week of the July 4th holiday and the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Fellows will receive paid time off during these times.
How to Apply
Please submit your resume to info@hayesinitiative.com, with the subject line “PR Fellowship” and please reference where you found the job (LinkedIn, City & State, Friend, etc).
Internship Program
Role Summary
The Hayes Initiative is seeking highly motivated college-level intern(s) (juniors, seniors, and graduate students) interested in getting hands-on public affairs experience focusing on communications, government relations, and stakeholder management. We will help teach our interns the skills needed to succeed in this fast-paced industry. Interns will be asked to focus on a range of projects, including longer-term and day-to-day/immediate tasks. They will learn the basics of high-level communications strategizing, writing, pitching media, and advocacy. Our internship program runs for three months with an option to extend based on performance.
How to apply:
Please email your cover letter and resume to info@hayesinitiative.com with the subject line “THI Intern FirstName LastName.” Please reference where you found the job in the body of your email and highlight any previous media experience.
Primary Responsibilities
- As a small boutique firm with an ever-expanding roster of blue-chip clients, THI Interns will be assigned to work with specific project leads and will collaborate with other team members as needed.
- Interns will conduct, synthesize, and analyze research with their project lead to develop actionable conclusions and insights for our clients.
- Interns will participate in client calls and presentations and assist with client communications as needed.
- Interns will draft daily reports, build press lists, gather media clips, do media analyses and research projects, pitch reporters, and copy-edit.
- Interns will assist with various communications- and team-related assignments and tasks as necessary.
- Interns will assist the THI senior team at various events to help manage our clients’ needs, including a press conference, one-on-one interviews, marching in a parade in NYC, business events across NYC and in other locations, etc.
Essential Skills
- Must have strong organizational skills and be self-motivated, detail-oriented, and able to prioritize and multitask to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Must have strong writing abilities and quickly write clear and persuasive copy.
- Must be proficient in using Google Suite products, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
- Must be able to work collaboratively with a team to meet group objectives.
- Must be able to communicate professionally with the press, community contacts, government staff, and clients.
Requirements:
- Must be based in New York City for the internship program duration.
- Must have at least 20 hours a week of availability during normal business hours.
- Must be a Junior or Senior in college or a Graduate Student.
- Must be able to attend evening and weekend events as needed.
- Must be comfortable working in various settings that include an office environment, at high-profile events, and most importantly, the ability to work efficiently in a remote environment.
- Must have a strong interest in news, politics, and current events.
- Must have access to a working cell phone, computer, and high-speed WiFi.
- Previous media experience preferred.
Working at The Hayes Initiative:
To support your growth and development, we offer
- A positive, supportive, and collaborative team with opportunities for advancement and commitment to helping all staff learn and grow.
- Compensation: $20 per hour and/or academic course credit, as your college or university program permits.
- $200 stipend to support your work-from-home setup.
- Three days of Personal Time Off (PTO) for the internship duration, plus paid bank holidays.
- THI closes annually during the week of the July 4th holiday and the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Interns will receive paid time off during these times.
About The Hayes Initiative:
The Hayes Initiative (THI) — a certified LGBTQ-owned public affairs firm — boasts decades of experience at the intersection of communications, government relations, and stakeholder management. Our rapid growth is rooted in a simple idea: delivering top-tier service to every client.
Our exceptional work has earned us prestigious recognitions, including being finalists for “Best Boutique Agency” at the PRWeek Awards and winning the “Best PR Firm Award” from the Stevie American Business Awards in 2022. City & State has featured THI in its annual list of PR Power firms for the past two consecutive years.