Senior Account Supervisor, Earned Media

If you proudly label yourself an “earned media generalist”, this role could be for you. We are seeking a Senior Account Supervisor to join our unrivaled Earned Media practice to support clients in the retail and grocer space. This role will be focused on building strategic earned media plans and executing with best practices to reach multiple stakeholder audiences including consumers, employees, investors, etc.  We are looking for someone who has extensive experience and a deep understanding of the retail, grocery, business, lifestyle and local media landscape and securing coverage across broadcast, print, digital and new media (podcasts, etc.). This person will run entire workstreams, lead the strategy and counsel to clients, delegate to team members and be responsible for the exceeding expectations on KPIs.  The individual should reside in Chicago.   

The ideal candidate is a natural connoisseur of the news industry, including retail, grocery,  lifestyle/home design, entertainment and breaking news. They have a pulse on the retail and grocery industries and new ways to break through in earned media. They are pros in consumer and corporate/business storytelling both at a national and local level and understand the dynamic and complex environment of today’s consumer behavior. This person must think and do – be confident in counsel and strategy development as well as be able to execute and create coverage opportunities in a challenging media landscape. We are looking for masters of the craft – possessing the technique and relationships to drive real results that have business impact. We want someone who is on top of it, finds solutions when something is not working and thrives in a speedy environment. Ultimately this person will contribute to the success of top-tier clients at an award-winning agency with a strong pathway to grow.  

• This role will report into EVP, Earned Media Strategy.  
• Media Strategy Development and Execution: Lead the development and execution of multi-channel media strategies, understanding and meeting each client’s unique tonality, approach, media comfortability and more. This will include key moments for the brand across business, executive visibility, business storytelling, lifestyle coverage, holiday/deals outreach, seasonal outreach, affiliate programs, etc.  
• Student of the Business: Be able to understand key competitors, the retail and grocery landscape, key client issues related to products, unique business challenges, technologies, etc.  
• Pitch and Deliver Results: This role will be in the trenches with media and expected to deliver results across the board, securing media coverage while also helping strengthen media savviness of account teams and clients. 
• Lead for On-Site/In-Person Media Engagements: Independently host media onsite for events, effectively managing media and counseling spokespeople, supervising media interviews, coordinating with off-site support team and more. 
• Strong Media Contacts: It is expected that this person will bring a strong roster of top-tier and cross-category media contacts to Zeno and have the ability to build new relationships where needed.  
• Deep Knowledge of the Media Landscape: Have a pulse on the daily media landscape, insider knowledge and ability to unearth media opportunities for our clients across the board, with a strong focus on retail/grocery, business and lifestyle. 

About You

• At least 6-8 years’ media relations experience at agency or in-house, supporting Fortune 500 companies. Retail sector experience a big plus.    
• Extensive experience working in both corporate comms and lifestyle/brand communications – a true “generalist”  
• A current track record of success in building relationships with national business and consumer media, and driving results for clients
• Must have an in-depth knowledge of reputation management and a working knowledge of traditional and non-traditional media.
• An ability to conceptualize media-worthy stories from initial ideas and brainstorms – and the ability weigh in quickly on what is considered “mediable”
• A strong understanding of PR’s impact on clients’ business and experience in protecting brand reputation
• A robust portfolio of secured recent media coverage across national, local, broadcast, print, digital mediums
• A proven track record of leading large-scale communications campaigns at the strategic and executional level, including both national and local level initiatives
• Demonstrated excellent writing and editorial skills as well as the proven ability to make clear, convincing presentations to clients and senior leaders
• An innate and natural ability to multi-task and juggle many different client projects and internal Zeno priorities
• Media training experience for client spokespeople, from C-suite to celebrities and other brand partners
• A history of success in providing sound creative and strategic counsel to clients and building credibility with senior level client contacts
• A leading-edge knowledge of how media works today – and a point of view on the future of earned media as a tool within the communicator’s toolkit
• Solution-oriented, collaborative, go-getter mentality with the ability to thrive in demanding client-services industry 
• Excellent writing skills, solid presentation skills, experience developing and delivering client presentations, including new business
• Proven leadership experience, mentoring and developing junior talent

ABOUT US

Zeno Group is the fiercely independent and global, integrated communications agency, born from PR. We bring together the boldest and brightest talent to help clients across industries and sectors unleash the power of strategic communications. Guided by our "Fearless Pursuit of the Unexpected," we push the boundaries to achieve real business value and societal impact for clients. Winner of the industry’s most coveted awards including the 2024 PRWeek U.S. Outstanding Large Agency of the Year, 2023 PRWeek Purpose Agency of the Year, 2022 PRWeek Global Agency of the Year, 2022 PRovoke Best Large Agency to Work For in North America and a three-time winner of PRWeek’s Best Places to Work. Zeno has also been previously recognized by the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Zeno is a DJE Holdings Company.

ABOUT OUR BENEFITS 

Healthy, happy employees make Zeno better, so we have programs that support physical, mental and financial wellness. Our culture and benefits are designed to promote flexibility, celebrate diversity and support work/life balance. We offer a variety of medical, dental and vision insurance with prescription plans, as well as short and long-term disability. Our Be Kind to Your Mind program focuses on mental health, providing a paid subscription to Headspace and access to mental health providers and other services through a best-in-class employee assistance program. Employees are encouraged to bring their authentic self to Zeno and participate in our employee resource groups which build communities for sharing and support. And while we love our work, we believe in the restorative power of time off with generous vacation, paid holidays and self-care time. Employees are supported in their pursuit of financial wellness with a 401(k) plan, pretax flexible spending accounts, tuition assistance, life insurance and free access to a certified financial coach. And our unique ZenoFit program provides a monthly allowance to fund activities in your personal life that bring you joy and keep you healthy. These and other benefits are available to non-temporary employees in the US. 

Zeno Group is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage racially and ethnically diverse people, members of the LGBTQ community, veterans, parents, individuals with disabilities and members of any and all protected classes to apply.