Brand Strategy, Campaigns, Coaching, Cross-Functional, Customer Relations, Editing, Interviewing Skills, Journalism, Leadership, Marketing, Media Buying and Planning, Multitasking, People Management, Philosophy, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Press Releases, Public/Media/Press/Analyst Relations, Quality Control, Relationship Management, Reporting Skills, Sales Management, Strategic Planning, Team Lead/Manager
LOCATION
Madison, WI
POSTED
3 days ago
The Account Supervisor – Media Relations Lead in PR, Social & Content Department is a senior, reporter-facing role responsible for guiding proactive and reactive earned media strategy for some of the agency’s most high-profile brands. This role requires deep media relations expertise, strong national and regional reporter relationships, and confident counseling in complex, fast-moving situations.
The ideal candidate brings 8+ years of full-time PR experience and is equally comfortable setting media strategy, pitching top-tier outlets, managing announcements and triaging issues, and rolling up their sleeves to edit and write clear, compelling materials. This is a client-facing leadership role that partners closely with senior clients, internal account leads, and cross-functional teams to ensure earned media efforts are strategic, disciplined, and effective.
Duties & Responsibilities
Media Relations Leadership
Serve as a senior media relations lead for clients, setting earned media strategy aligned to business priorities, brand reputation and campaign goals.
Own editor and reporter relationships across key national, regional and trade outlets; proactively identify opportunities and manage ongoing media engagement.
Develop and execute proactive media relations plans—including pitching, briefing materials, and story development—that drive consistent earned media coverage.
Lead preparation for major announcements, brand moments, and executive visibility opportunities, including messaging, press materials, media lists and outreach strategy.
Partner with account leadership to ensure readiness for issues, sensitive topics or reactive inquiries, and support escalation planning as needed.
Story Development
Lead the creation of high-quality media materials, including press releases, talking points, media briefs, pitches, Q&A documents and executive bylines.
Conduct interviews with senior leaders and subject matter experts to extract insights and shape media-relevant narratives.
Apply strong editorial judgment to refine structure, framing and positioning to maximize media relevance and impact.
Client Counseling & Collaboration
Serve as a trusted day-to-day media advisor to C-suite clients, confidently guiding recommendations and explaining media strategy, risks and opportunities.
Collaborate closely with other teams in agency to ensure earned media aligns with integrated marketing efforts.
Support team members by providing guidance, feedback and quality control on media outreach and written materials.
Stay current on earned media trends, shifting newsroom dynamics, and evolving expectations of reporters and editors.
Job Qualifications
8+ years of professional experience in public relations, with deep, hands-on experience in media relations, preferably in an agency setting.
Proven success securing earned media coverage and managing reporter relationships at the regional and/or national level.
Strong strategic instincts paired with excellent executional skills—able to lead strategy while personally owning writing and pitching.
Exceptional writing and editing ability, particularly for media-facing content.
Experience counseling senior clients and executives with confidence and sound judgment.
Comfort managing complex, high-visibility brands where accuracy, consistency and reputation matter.
Proven ability to coach and develop junior team members with thoughtful guidance and a high bar for excellence.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and remain calm under pressure.
Thoughtful, solutions-oriented collaborator who embodies curiosity, accountability and a We Before Me philosophy.
What Makes Someone Successful Here
You build on ideas with a “Yes, and” mindset
You bring curiosity and challenge thinking in a productive way
You care about both the work and the people behind it
You hold high standards and take ownership of outcomes
Benefits include: Hybrid work flexibility, health + dental insurance, paid parental leave, matching 401(k) + profit sharing, a professional development fund and many more! This position is a hybrid position.
Work Environment & Eligibility Hybrid role based in Madison, WI (in-office Monday–Wednesday; remote Thursday–Friday). Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future sponsorship.