📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Account Director, Corporate Comms & Tech PR
🔹 Company: Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis
🔹 Location: New York, NY
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Public Relations & Communications
🔹 Date Posted: April 7, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (with Work From Anywhere program)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading high-profile tech brands and startups in corporate reputation efforts, brand campaigns, and executive thought leadership programs.
- Counseling clients through complex issues and stressful situations with thoughtful strategies.
- Managing and mentoring junior staff while collaborating with senior staff and other discipline experts.
- Contributing to business development efforts, including new business and organic growth with existing clients.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a well-rounded PR professional with a strong understanding of the tech industry and a proven track record in managing teams and complex client issues.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop and execute comprehensive communications strategies for clients.
✅ Produce clear, persuasive content, including messaging, media pitches, event submissions, awards submissions, and more to tell client stories.
✅ Manage complex client issues and see clients through stressful situations with thoughtful counsel.
✅ Lead client accounts and contribute to business development efforts.
✅ Coordinate with other discipline experts as needed and manage junior staff to help motivate and coach team members.
✅ Respond to client requests in a timely manner and support administration of accounts.
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience in managing multiple projects simultaneously, strong decision-making abilities, and the ability to work select evenings/weekends and travel when necessary.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field.
Experience: At least 8 years of PR experience, with at least 2 years of team management experience.
Required Skills:
- Proven success in securing top-tier press placements that have an impact on the client’s bottom line.
- Strong writing skills – persuasive, concise, creative, and quick.
- Strategic thinking and the ability to think outside the box to create insightful and impactful media moments.
- Strong decision-making abilities and accountability.
- Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Strong communication and leadership skills, with the ability to motivate and coach team members.
- Passion for the tech and venture capital landscape.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working with high-growth startups and established tech brands.
- Fluency in additional languages (Spanish, Mandarin, etc.).
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in tech PR and a strong understanding of the tech industry will be highly competitive for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $100,000 - $110,000 a year
Benefits:
- Medical, dental, and vision plans
- 401(k) with matching
- Annual merit-based bonuses
- PTO
- Fertility, FSA for medical, childcare, and commuter expenses
- Flexible work schedule and Work From Anywhere program
- Summer Fridays and Wellness Days
- 4-week sabbatical or trip to celebrate select anniversaries
Working Hours: Full-time, with select evenings/weekends and travel when necessary
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on industry standards for PR professionals with 10+ years of experience in the tech industry.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis is an independent full-service communications and narrative consulting firm, specializing in media relations, brand integration, talent & influencer integration, crisis communications, creative services, social media strategy, branding, analytics, campaign planning, sponsorship sales, events, social good, advocacy & impact, entertainment, fashion & beauty, health & wellness, CPG, hospitality & travel, media & advertising, B2B, start up tech, consumer & enterprise tech, red carpet management, TV, film & content, arts & culture, and personal representation.
Company Size: 201-500 employees
Founded: 1992
Company Description:
- Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis is an independent full-service communications and narrative consulting firm.
- Their collective helps shape public image via earned, owned, and paid engagements across mediums and platforms.
- They are built on the notion that good ideas have the power to change the world, shape cultural conventions, and create new models of success in every industry.
Company Specialties:
- Media Relations
- Brand Integration
- Talent & Influencer Integration
- Crisis Communications
- Creative Services
- Social Media Strategy
- Branding
- Analytics
- Campaign Planning
- Sponsorship Sales
- Events
- Social Good
- Advocacy & Impact
- Entertainment
- Fashion & Beauty
- Health & Wellness
- CPG
- Hospitality & Travel
- Media & Advertising
- B2B
- Start Up Tech
- Consumer & Enterprise Tech
- Red Carpet Management
- TV
- Film & Content
- Arts & Culture
- and Personal Representation
Company Website: ssmandl.com
ASSUMPTION: Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis is a well-established PR firm with a diverse range of clients and expertise, offering a comprehensive suite of communications services.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level to senior
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Managing Director or other senior leadership
Work Arrangement: On-site with a Work From Anywhere program, select evenings/weekends and travel when necessary
Growth Opportunities:
- Promotion to a senior leadership role, such as Managing Director or Partner
- Expanding the tech practice and contributing to the growth of the firm
- Opportunities to work on high-profile clients and campaigns
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to advance their career and make a meaningful impact on the firm's tech practice.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Collaborative workspaces, some offices even have rooftops
Office Location(s): New York, NY; Los Angeles, CA; Washington, DC; Austin, TX; San Francisco, CA; Atlanta, GA; London, UK
Geographic Context:
- New York, NY: A major hub for the tech industry, with a vibrant startup scene and numerous established tech companies
- Los Angeles, CA: Home to a growing tech industry, with a strong focus on entertainment and gaming technologies
- Washington, DC: A hub for government and political tech, as well as cybersecurity and defense technologies
- Austin, TX: A thriving tech industry, with a focus on semiconductors, software, and hardware
- San Francisco, CA: The heart of the tech industry, with a diverse range of tech companies and startups
- Atlanta, GA: A growing tech industry, with a focus on financial technology and healthcare IT
- London, UK: A global tech hub, with a strong focus on fintech, healthtech, and AI
Work Schedule: Full-time, with select evenings/weekends and travel when necessary
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with the HR department
- In-person or video interview with the hiring manager
- Final interview with senior leadership
- Background check and reference check
Key Assessment Areas:
- Writing and communication skills
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities
- Industry knowledge and understanding of the tech landscape
- Leadership and team management skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with company values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Showcase your understanding of the tech industry and the specific clients mentioned in the job description
- Prepare examples of your past work that demonstrate your ability to develop and execute comprehensive communications strategies
- Be ready to discuss your approach to managing complex client issues and stressful situations
ATS Keywords: Public Relations, Tech PR, Account Director, Corporate Communications, Media Relations, Strategic Planning, Team Management, Client Counseling, Business Development, Crisis Communications, Writing, Media Pitching, Event Planning, Awards Submissions
ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing the candidate's communication, strategic thinking, and leadership skills, as well as their understanding of the tech industry and cultural fit with the company.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Media databases (e.g., Muck Rack, Agility PR Solutions)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
- Communication platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams)
- Design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite)
- Social media management tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Buffer)
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience with relevant PR tools and be comfortable learning new technologies as needed.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Integrity
- Creativity
- Collaboration
- Excellence
- Inclusion
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Results-driven and accountable
- Adaptable and responsive to change
- Committed to continuous learning and growth
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you embody the company's values in your daily work?
- Describe a time when you had to manage a complex client issue. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?
- How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends and developments in the tech landscape?
ASSUMPTION: Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis values candidates who are passionate about their work, committed to excellence, and dedicated to fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple client accounts simultaneously, with varying priorities and deadlines
- Working with tight deadlines and last-minute changes in client priorities
- Navigating complex client issues and stressful situations with grace and professionalism
- Balancing the demands of client work with internal team management and business development efforts
- Adapting to a fast-paced, dynamic work environment with a flexible work schedule
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be able to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple projects and priorities effectively.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other Account Director roles in tech PR, this role offers a unique opportunity to work with a diverse range of high-profile clients and contribute to the growth of a well-established firm's tech practice.
- Tech PR roles at other agencies may offer more specialized expertise in specific tech sectors, while this role provides a broader range of experience across various tech industries.
- Career progression in this role may involve advancing to a senior leadership role, such as Managing Director or Partner, with opportunities to expand the firm's tech practice and contribute to its overall growth.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity for a tech PR professional to gain diverse experience, work with high-profile clients, and contribute to the growth of a well-established firm's tech practice.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a comprehensive communications strategy for a high-growth startup in the AI sector, including media outreach, thought leadership content, and event planning
- Managing a crisis communications situation for an established tech company facing regulatory scrutiny, including media monitoring, message development, and stakeholder engagement
- Leading a brand campaign for a consumer tech company launching a new product, including media outreach, influencer partnerships, and event planning
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and skills required for this role, from strategic planning and execution to crisis management and brand campaigns.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure for this role and how it fits into the broader organization?
- How does the firm support the professional growth and development of its employees?
- What are the most challenging aspects of working with tech clients, and how does the firm approach these challenges?
- How does the firm foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions will help the candidate better understand the role, the team, and the company culture, as well as the expectations and priorities for the first 90 days.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare examples of your past work that demonstrate your ability to develop and execute comprehensive communications strategies
- Be ready to discuss your approach to managing complex client issues and stressful situations
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
