Senior AD, Corp. Media
About the Company
APCO is a global advisory and advocacy firm helping leading corporations, foundations and governments navigate a complex world and create lasting impact. Founded in 1984, with one woman’s vision and bold action, APCO has grown into an independent, majority women-owned firm of more than 1,200 employees with work spanning 80 markets around the world. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., APCO is comprised of strategic advisers, consultants and creators, working together across borders and functions, to provide services and expertise on financial, competitive, political and societal issues.
APCO is a trusted partner to bold purpose-led leaders, lawmakers, government officials, NGOs, the media and other stakeholders in the health, energy, technology, transportation & infrastructure and food & consumer products sectors. For 40 years, the firm has provided public affairs, crisis & reputation, impact, corporate reputation and global solutions services. APCO is renowned for its ability to champion clients’ interests and permission to operate, build their reputation and strengthen their standing. APCO’s integrated approach and team of tenacious and empathic talent create connections and winning strategies that accelerate progress and deepen impact.
By bringing diverse people and ideas together, and working beyond traditional boundaries, APCO builds the un/common ground upon which progress is made.
About the Job
As the Senior Associate Director of Corporate and Financial Media, you will work with a diverse group of talented and collaborative colleagues and media practitioners across North America and internationally. You will manage and advise clients including sophisticated corporate communications and media relations executives and lead teams in developing and executing media strategies for achieving their earned media objectives. You are expected to write persuasively; engage business, financial and sector-specific reporters and influencers; offer creative ideas that solve client problems; and use analytics tools for delivering insights and impact. You will have the opportunity to work across disciplines on integrated teams, including corporate communication, crisis and issues, investor relations, sustainability stakeholder engagement, digital/social media and paid amplification strategies.
Responsibilities
Owns client relationships and runs multiple work streams
Leads media relations efforts, including cultivating relationships with journalists, commentators, analysts and other relevant third parties, bringing these contacts and insights into client work
Is a subject matter expert on financial media, with a deep understanding of the financial media landscape, the media outlets having an impact (from podcasts and Substack to top tier), and the reporters and influencers our clients need to know
Performs day-to-day client work, with assistance from colleagues
Coaches clients on media engagement and being an effective executive spokesperson
Establishes systematic programs for driving a media drumbeat of story pitches
Develops and manages project programming, including implementation plans, staffing plans, budgets, timelines and measurement/evaluation
Produces high-quality, client-ready written deliverables, such as corporate announcements, op-eds, press kits, messaging, Q&A materials, media strategies and results reports, often under tight deadlines
Manages client expectations, earning their respect, trust and confidence through proactive account management to successfully maintain and grow client relationships
Serves as a financial media advisor to client teams across North America
Assists in new business activities, such as writing proposals and presenting to potential clients
Qualifications
At least 8-12 years of experience working in business and financial media, ideally with a mix of experience in business journalism as well as in a media relations consultancy role
Superior analytical skills and the ability to think creatively about media strategy and outlets
Strong understanding of the media environment, including appreciation of news drivers at key print and broadcast organizations, and relationships with their reporters, at outlets such as CNBC, the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Fortune, Forbes, the Financial Times, Fast Company, Axios, Insider, Cheddar, etc.
Established and trusted journalist relationships and an eagerness to build new relationships
Experience working with third parties and influencers to help drive and shape coverage
Experience leading communications around company earnings, IPOs, SPACs, ICOs, etc.
Ability to integrate social / digital and paid campaigns with traditional media relations
Exceptional writing skills, including the ability to write op-eds and owned media content
Ability to present ideas to clients both strategically and persuasively in face-to-face meetings and written presentations, and deliver excellent work under tight deadlines
Demonstrated ability to lead integrated client teams
Experience working with organizations in the healthcare, technology, transportation, energy and/or financial services are particularly relevant to this position
Solid project management experience and a proven ability to manage multiple projects and client initiatives and teams of both junior and senior colleagues in a fast-paced environment
