Senior Account Executive

About the Company

We believe every child deserves access to a high-quality public education and that families deserve trustworthy choices. Larson Communications is a strategic communications firm partnering with education reform organizations, public school systems, charter school networks and aligned nonprofits to strengthen options for families and improve outcomes for students nationwide.

About the Role

Client Value is our North Star. It’s why we’re here.

The Senior Account Executive (SAE) is a senior client-facing role responsible for leading media relations and advancing proactive storytelling that delivers sustained visibility and measurable results for clients. In this role, you translate communications strategy into sequenced action, generate a consistent cadence of high-impact media placements and sustain narrative momentum across national and regional outlets.

You serve as a trusted advisor to clients and act as a multiplier for the team by mentoring Account Executives and Associates while elevating the quality, pace and impact of the work. The ideal candidate brings strong news judgment and media instincts, identifying timely opportunities for coverage and shaping compelling storylines tied to broader trends, breaking news and client priorities. Through disciplined execution and deep media relationships, the SAE ensures clients’ stories reach the audiences that matter most and contribute to long-term strategic outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Own primary day-to-day leadership for assigned clients, serving as the main point of accountability for results, experience and momentum.
• Lead media relations strategy and execution at the account level, driving a steady cadence of placements with national and regional news outlets.
• Identify timely opportunities for coverage, including breaking news moments, trend stories and newsjacking opportunities aligned with client priorities.
• Develop and execute narrative arcs and storylines that generate sustained media coverage over time rather than episodic placements.
• Pitch reporters directly and regularly, securing high-impact placements across local, regional and national outlets.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with reporters, editors and producers across relevant beats, including policy, politics, business and education.
• Secure placements in influential outlets including national publications, policy media and multi-syndicate platforms that expand reach and visibility.
• Coordinate and direct the work of Account Executives and Associates, ensuring clarity of roles, strong execution and consistent quality.
• Provide strategic counsel and shape messaging that helps organizations tell their stories effectively to national and regional audiences, including drafting thought leadership content on behalf of clients.
• Oversee and approve high-quality communications materials including press releases, pitches, fact sheets, talking points and presentations.
• Track and evaluate media placements and narrative momentum to ensure coverage advances client strategy and priorities.
• Identify risks, misalignment or performance issues early and take corrective action to protect client value and team effectiveness.
• Contribute meaningfully to business development by supporting proposals, pitches and relationship development efforts.
• Stay current on public relations trends, media dynamics and the education landscape, applying insights to strengthen client strategy and execution.
• Represent Larson Communications as a senior ambassador with professionalism, credibility and a team-first mindset in client, media and professional settings.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of professional experience in public relations, communications or public policy with significant responsibility for media relations and client leadership.
• Demonstrated success pitching reporters and securing consistent media placements across local, regional and national outlets.
• Strong news judgment and demonstrated ability to identify compelling story angles tied to current events, trends and client priorities.
• Proven track record of generating sustained media coverage through narrative arcs and proactive storytelling rather than one-off placements.
• Strong experience building and maintaining productive relationships with journalists across multiple beats including policy, politics, business or education.
• Demonstrated experience serving as a primary client lead and providing strategic counsel.
• Measurable success delivering communications campaigns that achieve results including media visibility, reputation growth or policy impact.
• Proven ability to coordinate teams, mentor junior staff and drive strong execution across accounts.
• Ability to manage complexity, competing priorities and tight deadlines with confidence and accountability.
• Exceptional writing skills for press releases, pitches and media-facing communications.
• Strong verbal communication skills and professional judgment when interacting with clients and journalists.
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, public relations, communications, public policy or a related field.

Preferred Skills

• Experience securing placements in national or multi-syndicate publications.
• Experience developing and executing proactive media strategies tied to long-term communications campaigns.
• Experience pitching across multiple beats including policy, politics, business, education or general news.
• Experience working with charter schools, public school systems or education reform organizations.
• Experience supporting integrated communications campaigns that combine media relations with digital and social amplification.
• Familiarity with tools such as Asana, Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite and media databases.

Pay Range and Compensation Package

• Salary range: $56,500–$85,000, based on experience, qualifications, organizational equity and budget.
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, mental health and life insurance.
• 401(k) with matching contribution.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Flexible vacation and sick time.
• Paid company holidays.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Larson Communications welcomes applicants of all backgrounds with unique perspectives who align with our mission, values and standards and who are ready to take ownership and deliver results that matter.

How to Apply

We kindly ask that candidates refrain from direct messaging team members regarding this role. To be considered, please send your resume to info@larsonpr.com with the subject line “Senior Account Executive Application for Larson Communications.” Include a cover letter and incorporate the word “pineapple.” No phone calls.