Director UEG Edelman New York City

Job Description
A director is responsible for managing her/his project teams’ performance as it relates to client service and quality control. S/he will understand UEG's various consulting processes/approaches and capabilities, including public engagement, message workshops, master narrative assignments, brand engagement and stakeholder mapping exercises, and be able to recommend appropriate tactics to clients and lead small teams on project implementation. Expected competencies include:

Client Service
Play a major role in the research, planning and development of comprehensive public relations campaigns
Serve as daily client contact and as client lead when appropriate
Oversee quality and operational performance of accounts, ensuring work quality and deadline adherence
Help set client program goals and manage against them
Elevate problems to superiors and solicit their counsel when needed but in appropriate measure
Demonstrate proficiency in writing skills to craft internal and client correspondence, communications plans, press materials, new business proposals, etc.
Demonstrate tactical proficiency in media relations, including creating and driving outreach plans, message development, management of events, effective pitching and training of spokespersons on speeches and presentations and growth of contact network
Demonstrate practical and advanced understanding of visual communications, social media and the digital landscape and how to incorporate these channels into client programs
Generate original ideas for sustainable online community engagement, help integrate them into plans, measure and evaluate them to ensure they contribute to client goal achievement
Foster relationships with third-party influencers and internal business partners (Blue, StrategyOne, etc.)
Play role in using research as a project performance indicator
Become familiar with UEG network resources and use them to meet client goals

People Engagement
Oversee junior staff’s work products to ensure quality and consistency
Ensure performance expectations, career development plan and S.M.A.R.T. (specific, measureable, achievable, realistic and time-based) goals are set and reviewed annually during the formal performance review process for all direct reports
Provide ongoing constructive feedback and consistently hold staff accountable for performance, compliance and ethical business conduct
Work with senior staff and HR, when needed, to address under-performance in a timely manner
Help mentor, coach and support team members and ensure you and your staff are constantly developing abilities through Edelman University and other training, including on-the-job training and mentoring
Set achievable goals and tasks, delegate opportunities and provide resources for staff to meet their goals; consistently measure and reward goal achievement
Contribute to the performance appraisal process for peers, managers and direct reports
Assist in recruitment process by interviewing and helping select UEG personnel

Business Development
Build network of industry clients and participate in relevant professional organizations and networking activities that will grow UEG brand recognition and your own reputation
Contribute to new business process, including identifying new business opportunities
Participate in cross-practice and cross-geographical teams to provide clients and prospects with the most compelling team and proposal
Work with account leads to introduce existing clients to relevant and new UEG capabilities, including resources outside of your own group, to advance their business goals

Financial Planning and Management
Demonstrate understanding of core financial constructs including revenue, profitability, pricing structures (hourly vs. retainer accounts), budgeting and forecasting
Record, submit and approve time, expenses and POs to the right project codes on a timely basis – ideally daily, but no later than weekly
Assist with the development of accurate project budgets using the firm’s financial system
Effectively work within account budget parameters and deadlines
Manage day-to-day client budget issues to resolution
Track and monitor project financials (e.g., budget vs. actual)
Help ensure UEG's financial policies and processes are followed by your team

Leadership
Demonstrate behaviors consistent with UEG's values (Quality, Integrity, Respect, Entrepreneurial Spirit, Mutual Benefits) and Code of Ethics and Business Conduct
Lead by example; demonstrate proven strong work ethic
Delegate effectively, setting clear expectations and deadlines, providing needed resources for project completion and monitoring progress
Manage down, across and up by working closely with staff and peers and by ensuring senior team members meet approval deadlines and stay on track with deliverables
Help motivate and coach teams to produce quality work and meet client objectives
Commit to continuous learning and building your technical and leadership skills through training
Set and pursue challenging stretch goals for yourself and your staff
Live “in color” – and encourage staff to do so – by exploring and being active in the world outside of work, including the arts, culture, politics, literature, charitable organizations and/or other personal passions

Product Capability and Development
Contribute to the development of new capabilities
Support the implementation of new capabilities
Share UEG intellectual property (e.g. Trust Barometer) with clients as applicable
Stay up to date with emerging technologies and trends and demonstrate understanding of how they integrate into communications programs