Account Director (Travel PR)

Praytell is a creative communications agency built by strategic minds and spirited hearts who believe original storytelling, unexpected ideas and an instinctive recoil from anything remotely boring can shape culture and make people… well, give a sh!t. We partner with brands to create timely, integrated and headline-worthy campaigns across social, earned, digital, experiential and emerging platforms, all rooted in smart strategy, creative excellence and a deep understanding of what’s resonating right now.

We’ve been doing this for just over a decade and have picked up some pretty cool awards along the way, including PRWeek’s Best Place to Work (8x and counting), Agency of the Year and even a few your mom might recognize - even if she doesn’t fully get what you do for a living.

Our work is collaborative, fast-moving and driven by curiosity, grounded in how we show up for our clients and for one another. If you’re looking to join an ambitious, deeply supportive team that’s focused on doing great work with great people and doesn’t take itself too seriously, we’d love to hear from you.

The Opportunity

Praytell is seeking an Account Director with 7-9 years of experience and deep expertise in the travel and tourism industry - bonus points for big airline experience - ideally within a PR agency setting. This role will lead integrated communications programs across earned, influencer and social, serving as a senior strategic partner to clients and guiding brand storytelling, campaign development and cross-channel initiatives that drive measurable business impact. The Account Director will oversee multiple client relationships and large-scale accounts with substantial budgets, mentor teams and ensure work is executed at the highest level while identifying opportunities for innovation, growth and long-term partnership. This role must be based in the Central or Eastern time zone. The ideal candidate brings strong business acumen, creative thinking and the ability to navigate complex client environments while delivering thoughtful counsel and forward-thinking ideas.

Key responsibilities include:

• 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 (Earned, Social, Influencer): Lead high-level audience analysis, incorporating cultural, category, and competitive insights to inform strategies.
• Channel Fluency & Strategies (Earned, Influencer, Social): Develop overarching strategies that align with clients’ business objectives, integrating all three disciplines.
• Creative Thinking
• Newsjacking/Trend-to-Earned Ideas: Drive strategic ideation around cultural trends, creat