Account Director, PR & Communications (Sports & Entertainment)

Praytell is an integrated marketing and creative communications agency made by teams with strategic minds and spirited hearts. We create timely, integrated, headline-worthy campaigns across social, earned, digital and more. And we’ve picked up some pretty cool awards along the way, like PRWeek’s Best Place to Work (8x so far!), Agency of the Year and even a few your mom would recognize, even if she doesn’t fully get what you do for a living. Best of all, we’ve got a team of the smartest, kindest, most curious and supportive humans on the planet.

And guess what? There’s an empty seat here with your name on it. If you're looking for an opportunity to join an ambitious team that is singularly focused on doing great work with great people, we'd love to hear from you!

Overview:

We are seeking an experienced Account Director to lead integrated PR programs for high-profile sports and entertainment clients. This role sits at the intersection of account management, strategic thinking, creative execution, and earned media - bringing together culture-driving ideas with business-driving results. Our sports and entertainment clients span categories from retail to food and beverage to lifestyle and beyond.

The ideal candidate brings 8+ years of experience, primarily focused on sports and entertainment clients, with a strong preference for those who offer endemic knowledge of soccer, running, motorsports, and golf alongside a broader understanding of the sports landscape. They will have fluency across both traditional and emerging media - from broadcast, print and digital to podcasts, Substacks and newsfluencers - along with proven experience developing and managing brand partnerships with athletes and other talent, and the ability to integrate these channels into holistic, forward-looking strategies. They will also have an appetite for and experience using AI in their day-to-day work - from deep research and workflow optimization to ideation and creative development. In addition, this person must be comfortable managing budgets of all sizes, SOWs, staffing and related processes. With expertise in strategic planning, creative ideation and cross-channel execution, this leader will inspire teams, drive measurable impact and position our clients at the forefront of conversation in sports and culture.

The Account Director will report directly to our Sports and Entertainment practice leads, and while we prefer candidates based in Chicago or New York, we are open to other US locations for the right person.

Responsibilities:

• Client Service 
• Start with ‘Yes’: Inspire innovation and optimism, providing clear pathways to execution.
• Spidey Senses in Tune: Demonstrate advanced intuition for client dynamics, identifying and addressing potential issues with foresight.
• No Ego, No B.S.: Lead by example, prioritizing the success of the team and client over personal gain.
• Trust & Transparency: Serve as a trusted advisor by delivering honest feedback and transparent recommendations.
• Sense of Humor & Short Memory: Keep teams and clients focused on solutions, using humor to diffuse tension when needed.
• Spirit of Partnership: Deepen client relationships through strategic counsel and delivering mutual value over time.
• Account & Team Management 
• Brand & Business Expertise: Drive strategic planning and innovation across PR, influencer, and social media campaigns, ensuring clients’ goals are met or exceeded.
• Time & Budget Tracking: Lead financial oversight for multiple accounts, ensuring budgets align with profitability targets and client expectations.
• Workflow Management: Implement systems to improve team efficiency and ensure high-quality campaign delivery across multiple clients.
• Staffing: Collaborate with leadership to assess staffing needs and contribute to hiring decisions.
• Employee Development: Provide formal feedback to team members and lead coaching sessions to build expertise within the team.
• Effective Communication
• Client Communication (Emails/Status Calls): Act as a trusted client advisor, leading discussions on campaign strategy, performance, and next steps.
• Written Materials: Provide strategic input on high-level materials, ensuring all content reflects the client’s voice and objectives.
• Deck Development: Oversee the structure and content of decks for large-scale campaigns, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
• Presentation Skills: Deliver high-stakes presentations, engaging clients with clear and actionable insights.
• Strategic Planning
• Channel Audits (Earned, Social, Influencer): Shape the framework for audits, ensuring insights are leveraged for strategic planning across campaigns.
• Target Audience Analysis (Earn