PR Account Executive

PUBLIC RELATIONS ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE – Atlanta or Athens, GA

Jackson Spalding is an award-winning PR and marketing agency that helps brands break through to earn measurable audience attention, affinity and action. Through integrated PR, digital marketing, advertising, brand strategy and creative services, we help organizations share their stories in ways that connect with the people who matter most. Founded in 1995 and proudly independently owned, JS was built on the belief that there had to be a better way to run an agency—one grounded in curiosity, integrity and relationships rooted in mutual respect.

About the role: We’re seeking an Account Executive (AE) with experience in project management and earned media to join our Atlanta or Athens team. You’ll help lead day-to-day PR and communications work, collaborate across integrated teams, and deliver solid results for clients. This role is a strong fit for someone who is organized, proactive, calm under pressure, energized by fast-paced work that blends smart strategy with excellent execution and experienced in public relations

Responsibilities

Earned Media and Public Relations

• Develop and execute strategic earned media plans at a national and local level for B2B and B2C clients across multiple industries

• Pitch and secure earned media

• Build relationships with reporters and key stakeholders

• Monitor news, cultural moments and industry trends to spot opportunities and risks

• Support reputation management and help teams navigate emerging issues

• Partner with specialists across the agency to deliver integrated campaigns

• Pitch & build relationships with reporters/producers/editors

• Tailor angles and messaging for diverse audiences and outlets

• Monitor news/social channels for opportunities, risks, and emerging narratives

Team leadership & account delivery

• Lead and support client-facing projects and be accountable for outcomes

• Coordinate timelines, workflows and deliverables for public relations work across internal teams

• Communicate clearly with teammates and clients; delegate thoughtfully as appropriate

• Contribute to decision-making and strategic thinking on projects you own

• Oversee reporting on PR results for projects you lead

• Support new business efforts

Budget & operations

• Support and maintain clients’ budgets and billing

What success looks like in this role:

• You focus on your clients, build respectful and authentic relationships, and create successful outcomes for your clients.

• You ramp quickly — absorbing new client context, asking smart questions, and incorporating feedback into stronger work.

• You bring good judgment to the day-to-day: you prioritize well, flag risks early, and stay steady when details change.

• You take ownership end-to-end, following deliverables from first draft through final execution and results reporting.

• You work collaboratively across teams and levels - communicating clearly, delegating thoughtfully, and helping the team stay aligned.

• You adapt with ease as timelines and priorities shift, keeping momentum without sacrificing quality.

• You’re resourceful and solutions-oriented: you come with a recommendation and a next step - not just a problem.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in communication, journalism or PR

• 3–5 years communications or public relations experience with 1–2 years in an agency environment

• Demonstrated success and passion for earned media across multiple channels

• Strong writing/editing skills; AP Style proficiency

• Strong project management skills and comfort with technology tools such as Asana

• Excellent communicator and collaborator; strong attention to detail

• Experience with using AI responsibly and effectively

• Proficiency in languages in addition to English preferred.

Benefits

We believe great work starts by taking care of our people. Benefits include world-class health insurance, profit sharing, unlimited sick days, 401(k) match + financial planning, and a flexible work environment. (3 days in office, 2 days remote). Intermittent travel may be required.

EEO

At Jackson Spalding, we embrace and celebrate our differences. They inspire, unite and motivate us to strive for a better way. In alignment with our purpose to cultivate meaningful relationships rooted in mutual respect, we are dedicated to fostering a sense of belonging throughout our agency. Jackson Spalding is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in any aspect of employment against any person on account of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.