Senior PR Account Executive

We are MSL Group, an insightful bunch of PR specialists and content creators with agencies in Johannesburg and Cape Town. We build Influence and deliver Impact to grow and protect our clients’ reputations. Our PR company services include PR Strategy, Influencer Marketing, Content Creation and online Reputation Management.

As a Senior Account Executive at MSL, you are a media relations expert, seamlessly managing media relationships and all interviews. You ensure the reporting process is slick – making sure your manager receives accurate, quality reports on time, and that clients receive regular, accurate coverage updates. You have good relationships with your clients and media, and frequently write quality, media-ready content beyond media pitches. In addition, you provide guidance to your team’s Intern/AA/AE (if applicable).

Core capabilities
• Media lists: Take responsibility for work with Intern/AA/AE (if applicable) to ensure media lists are regularly updated, inform the broader agency of media changes, compile tailored media lists per client content piece, and keep master client media lists updated.
• Media relations: Display an excellent knowledge of the South African media landscape (and an interest in the broader African media landscape), develop solid media relationships, and own the effective running of your team’s entire media relations process.
• Pitching skills: Demonstrate an ability to effectively identify, write and pitch relevant story angles to targeted media, displaying creativity and an understanding of newsworthiness.
• Writing: Regularly write basic media pitches, releases and content, beyond email communication.
• Research: Demonstrate effective research skills, and assimilation and presentation of information.
• MSL Newsdesk: Participate in daily Newsdesk/media meetings and write up relevant news and angles in email format to share with clients (with your AD’s/AM’s approval); take notes in Newsroom meeting if asked.
• Project management skills: Assist AM/SAM with taking responsibility for specific projects from start-to-finish.
• Computer skills: Strong proficiency in all Microsoft Office packages including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook (or other company-preferred applications), taking Marcel Classes to become an advanced user of these programmes.

Client services
• Client knowledge: Continuously grow your understanding of clients’ business and knowledge of competitors, for effective idea generation.
• Client relations: Demonstrate and build on personalised, friendly rapports with clients, and show an ability to manage their expectations.
• Creativity: Confidently contribute own ideas to planning or brainstorm meetings, and encourage same in Intern/AA/AE.
Agency operations
• Coverage: With Intern/AA/AE, take ownership of daily coverage tracking for reports and timeous client coverage updates.
• Reporting: Ensure quality, timeous monthly reports are delivered to clients.
• Timesheets: Demonstrate effective time recording and reporting (daily, accurate data logged on Chase, as per Groupe deadlines).
• The MSL Way: Know and live MSL’s company values in all professional interactions and work, and encourage same in Intern/AA/AE (if applicable).
• Know the agency and Publicis Groupe Africa (PGA): Demonstrate familiarity with both MSL and PGA's organisational structures and offerings.

People development
• Grow your supervisory skills by coaching and assisting graduates/Interns/AAs.
• Assist your fellow AEs with skill development and peer-to-peer mentorship.

• Tertiary Qualification in Public Relations
• 3 Years in a PR Agency. 
• Ad Agency experience is Advantageous.

Personality Attributes

•Taking initiative: Demonstrate consistent, proactive, positive contribution at all times, as well as a self-starter approach to your work.
• Proactive upskilling: Display a good understanding of content for all clients (even beyond your portfolio) and clients’ industries, staying abreast of the broader news environment and spotting opportunities for media conversation building.
• Communication skills: Demonstrate excellent face-to-face, telephonic and email etiquette (internal and external), and encourage this with your team’s Intern/AA/AE (if applicable).

• Time management: Effectively use and manage your own time to meet deadlines and help Intern/AA/AE (if applicable) to manage their time.
• Prioritisation: Demonstrate an excellent ability to prioritise tasks and apply urgency where needed.
• Detail-orientated: Execute unwavering attention to detail in all aspects, including documents, presentations, emails and all other communiques, and encourage such attention to detail with your team’s Intern/AA/AE (if applicable).
• Quality: Consistently deliver quality work to professional, MSL standards, quality checking
Intern/AA/AE work before it is sent to your manager/client.
• Proactive learning: Regularly make use of the Marcel Classes portal (and other internal training sessions) to upskill yourself, taking initiative and responsibility for your learning journey
• Respect: Acknowledge and respond to instructions from senior staff as soon as possible (email, instant message or spoken).
• Profile: Manage and build your own profile within your team and the broader agency.

Interested candidates must please submit a concise CV. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Should you not hear from us within 2 weeks after submitting your application, please consider your application as unsuccessful.

Publicis Groupe is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and prohibits any forms of Discrimination or Harassment. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our employees in line with our Employment Equity Plan. All appointments will be based on qualifications, experience and best fit but preference will be given to candidates from designated groups.