caReers

Chicago (Hybrid)
 

Who We Are

Spool is an independent PR and communications agency that elevates brands by shaping culture, defining categories and delivering results. If you have an entrepreneurial mindset, want to make a real impact and are hungry to shape both your career and the future of an agency, Spool might be the place for you.

 

Working at Spool

At Spool, our values guide how we show up every day. Our commitment to authenticity, curiosity, agility, impact, and accountability creates an environment where people are trusted to do great work and supported as they grow.

• We ask smart questions and value different perspectives

• We share feedback with intention and use it to strengthen our work

• We collaborate openly, contribute ideas freely, and work without ego

 

Everyone at Spool plays an active role in shaping our culture, our work, and our growth. We believe strong teams are built on trust, shared accountability, and a genuine commitment to doing excellent work together. Our approach empowers people to build meaningful careers while delivering work we’re proud of, for our clients and for each other.

 

Role Overview

We’re hiring a Senior Account Executive to join our team in Chicago. In this role, you’ll manage client relationships and play a central role in shaping and executing compelling earned media strategies. You’ll be deeply involved in media relations and story development across our portfolio of clients. This role is right for you if you’re a critical thinker who thrives on combining creative ideas with smart execution to deliver measurable impact.

 

What You’ll Do

Media & Storytelling

• Craft compelling story angles, develop strategic messaging, and lead proactive media outreach to secure earned coverage.

• Recommend opportunities to leverage coverage in other channels and mediums to make an even greater impact for clients.

• Maintain strong media relationships across various lifestyle, consumer, and trade/industry press.

• Monitor trends and news that influence clients and pitch timely opportunities.

• Leverage influencers and partnerships to amplify brand messaging
   

Content & Materials

• Write and edit press materials, including pitches, press releases, media advisories, talking points and social-ready copy.

• Help shape strategic messaging that aligns with client goals and resonates with target audiences.

• Build compelling presentations to pitch new ideas, flesh out plans and share results.

 

Event & Campaign Execution 

• Communicate with vendors and manage timelines leading up to major events and campaign executions

• Contribute to event and activation strategies 

 

Client / Account Leadership

• Lead day-to-day client communication and serve as a trusted partner to clients.

• Manage deliverables across multiple accounts, ensuring strategic and timely execution of PR plans, including creating workback timelines, determining measurement criteria and setting goals and KPIs

• Support account/project budget development and management.

• Support development of client monthly, quarterly and annual plans and recaps.

 

Team & Agency Contribution

• Mentor and coach junior team members.

• Collaborate internally with creative, finance and operations teams. 

• Contribute to new business efforts and agency-wide initiatives.

• Be an ambassador of our values and a positive contributor to our culture.
   

What We’re Looking For

 

Experience & Skills

• 4–6+ years of experience in public relations (agency experience preferred but not required).

• Exceptional writing, editing, and messaging capabilities; able to produce clear, effective materials under deadline.

• Confident and compelling presenter with the ability to build influence with clients and agency partners.

• Demonstrated success securing consumer and trade media coverage.

• Strong strategic instincts, media relations savvy, and ability to think creatively.

• Excellent project & time management skills - comfortable juggling multiple priorities.

• Proficiency in using a media monitoring and data analytics tool like Muckrack, Critical Mention, Meltwater and Cision.

• Passion for food, beverage, culture and storytelling (that “trend-spotting” mindset).

• Experience with influencer outreach and management. 

• Experience contributing to larger integrated communications campaigns.

• Understanding of how to leverage AI with a human-first approach to drive efficiency and effectiveness. 

 

What We Offer 

• Competitive medical, dental and vision plans

• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick time, company holidays, generous parental leave (maternity, paternity and adoption) and a sabbatical program for eligible full time employees

• 401k with company match

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Growth and development opportunities 

• Onsite fitness center 

• Flexible hybrid approach that allows us to come together in the office to build connection, enable collaboration and foster community, while also offering remote workdays to support balance and  wellbeing. 

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Thank you for your interest in working at Spool. As you look at open positions, if you see any that you may not meet 100% of the qualifications for but believe you could be successful within, please apply anyway. Data shows men will apply for jobs when they meet approximately 60% of a position's criteria, yet women and other people systematically marginalized tend to apply only if they meet every requirement. At Spool, we want builders, dreamers, workers and critical thinkers; if you believe you can thrive in this role, even if you don't check every box of the position's criteria, please apply. We are committed to considering all candidates including those with diverse employment backgrounds and experiences (and tell you what, we'd hire someone who worked retail or hospitality over a fancy schmancy internship any day). Whether you're new to PR and marketing or returning to the workplace after a gap, or you're ready for the next chapter in your career, we would love to consider you as part of our team at Spool.