Account Manager, Public Affairs & Crisis

Account Manager

Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis has an immediate opening for a strategic, dynamic Account Manager to join our Public Affairs and Crisis practice. We are looking for a modern storyteller with about 5–6 years of experience who understands that in 2026, a reputation is maintained through constant vigilance and agile narrative management across both traditional and digital platforms.

You are a go-getter with a sharp blend of EQ and IQ, capable of managing the daily needs of a client while thinking creatively about their full public persona. You understand that a successful public affairs strategy requires more than just a statement; it requires a multi-platform narrative that reaches stakeholders where they live. If you are cool under pressure and want to flex your entrepreneurial muscles in an environment where no two days are the same, we want to hear from you.

The Role:

• Reputation Narrative Execution: Serve as the primary daily driver for 4–6 accounts. You develop and execute communications plans that are platform-agnostic, ensuring client missions and responses resonate in national newsrooms, policy circles, and digital social spaces.
• Modern Storytelling & Advocacy: Act as the hub for integrated communications. You understand how to coordinate earned media with digital advocacy and social-first content to ensure every campaign has a cohesive, 360-degree impact.
• Daily Client Stewardship: Serve as the trusted daily point person for clients ranging from corporate brands to non-profits and high-profile individuals. You provide thoughtful, real-time counsel through fast-moving news cycles and stressful situations.
• Crisis & Cultural Radar: Monitor the news cycle and social platforms daily with a critical eye. You aren't just looking for mentions; you are looking for emerging risks, vibe shifts, and trending topics that require either a proactive voice or a strategic silence.
• Content Command: Produce sophisticated, client-ready materials including executive talking points, op-eds, press releases, and briefing notes. You are a fast, sharp writer who knows how to frame complex issues for varied audiences with total precision.
• Event & Experience Support: Plan and execute media-specific events, including press conferences, panel discussions, and stakeholder briefings. You own the ground game—from guest list management to on-site media wrangling—ensuring everything is handled with professional poise.
• Mentorship & Team Coaching: Proactively mentor and teach junior staff. This is incredibly important to us; you are a natural coach who is invested in training the next generation of crisis professionals in the art of the modern pitch and the discipline of discretion.
• Relationship Driven: You recognize that the world of public affairs is built on trust. You lead by example in every interaction—prioritizing integrity, transparency, and professional poise with your team, your clients, and the media.

Who You Are:

• The Reputation Specialist: You have 5–6 years of experience in public affairs, crisis, or corporate communications. You pride yourself on your ability to learn a new issue or industry quickly and deeply.
• The Modern Strategist: You understand the mechanics of integrated communications and how social media moves the needle on public opinion. You are an outside-the-box thinker who loves a good brainstorm.
• High EQ: You possess high EQ and great judgment. You can read a room, handle last-minute client requests with ease, and know exactly when to make a decision and when to seek senior counsel.
• A Meticulous Storyteller: You are a strong writer—persuasive, concise, and creative. You can take a complex policy issue or corporate challenge and translate it into a narrative that compels an editor or an audience to take notice.
• Entrepreneurial & Agile: You have an innate curiosity and a desire to make things better. You don't wait for a process to be assigned; you look for ways to be helpful and bring fresh, innovative ideas to the table.
• Exceptionally Organized: You excel at managing multiple projects simultaneously with shifting priorities. You take accountability for your work and take genuine pride in the precision of your account management.

$77,500 - $88,000 a year

Benefits x Perks

We go well beyond the benefits that you're looking for like medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with matching, annual merit-based bonuses, PTO, fertility, FSA for medical, childcare, and commuter expenses. Eligible employees at Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis may access these benefits, along with many additional perks including, a flexible work schedule, Work from Anywhere program, Summer Fridays, Wellness Days, and a 4-week sabbatical or trip to celebrate select anniversaries. We love to socialize so, we have collaborative workspaces, some offices even have rooftops, celebrations, networking opportunities, and community volunteering. We frequently mark opportunities to listen, learn and act throughout the year (Juneteenth, Election Day, International Women's Day, etc.).

SSM&L is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and ability. We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, identity and expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

There's more!

From day one, employees are carefully matched with a mentor to guide them on their path to success. Training and mentoring are a big deal here and since we are into promoting from within, we make sure to provide more than enough tools for you to learn and grow. We are proud to offer training throughout the year on topics for professional growth as well as personal growth. We have also developed a series of teaching workshops that are structured for each level of the company. Sunshiners also take love to take advantage of the monthly Meet the Industry series where industry thought leaders provide valuable insider info on how to work with them and their colleagues.