RYAN J CONNELLY

Public Relations

• Independently lead and own approximately $600K–$1.25M in client account revenue across retainer accounts and projects
• Serve as the senior day-to-day client contact and trusted advisor across assigned accounts, setting the tone for responsiveness, strategic thinking, and sound judgment
• Set the direction for client calls, planning sessions, quarterly business reviews, and ongoing account communications
• Create and oversee integrated communications strategies, PR plans, campaign themes, and executive visibility programs aligned with client business objectives
• Provide senior counsel across reputation management, thought leadership, media strategy, and stakeholder communications
• Own account profitability, including budget planning, scope management, staffing levels, and the balance between service levels and client deliverables
• Identify, shape, and close organic growth opportunities within existing client relationships
• Demonstrate senior-level media relations capabilities with established relationships across business, trade, broadcast, digital, and national media
• Set the narrative direction for client programs, shaping story angles and proactive media strategies that generate meaningful exposure
• Personally secure and oversee high-profile media opportunities, feature coverage, executive interviews, speaking engagements, and thought leadership placements
• Oversee media preparation across accounts, including briefing documents, messaging guidance, executive prep, and event coordination
• Direct media outreach across account teams, coaching junior staff on pitching strategy, positioning, and follow-through
• Lead special initiatives including book launches, executive campaigns, conferences, industry events, and media tours
• Lead the development and execution of crisis and issues management strategies for clients
• Oversee and approve materials including holding statements, Q&As, executive talking points, media statements, and stakeholder communications
• Anticipate reputational risks by monitoring media, social, and industry developments, and escalate emerging issues to senior leadership
• Counsel clients directly through sensitive situations with professionalism, discretion, and strategic judgment
• Coordinate with senior leadership, legal counsel, and external partners during active issues
• Directly manage two to three employees, with additional oversight of Account Supervisors, Account Executives, Account Coordinators, and interns supporting assigned accounts
• Set clear expectations, delegate effectively, and hold the team accountable for quality and deadlines
• Deliver ongoing coaching, performance feedback, and formal performance reviews for direct reports
• Identify development needs and create growth paths that build bench strength for the agency
• Model and reinforce a collaborative, high-performing, and solutions-oriented team culture
• Finalize and approve key campaign messages and client-facing positioning
• Review, edit, and elevate agency-generated materials before they reach the client
• Oversee development of press releases, executive messaging, award submissions, bylined content, social media copy, and other strategic communications materials
• Ensure messaging is clear, compelling, accurate, and aligned with broader client positioning and business priorities
• Contribute directly to agency growth through new business development, prospect research, proposal writing, and pitch participation
• Build and maintain an active professional network across media, industry, and client communities
• Represent JConnelly at industry events, panels, and professional organizations to strengthen agency visibility
• Identify partnership, referral, and relationship-expansion opportunities and bring them forward to leadership
• Contribute ideas that strengthen agency positioning, service offerings, and market relevance
• Demonstrate strong command of digital communications, social platforms, audience engagement, and emerging media trends
• Apply AI-enabled tools and technologies to improve research, content development, media monitoring, workflow efficiency, and strategic insights
• Guide team members on responsible, effective use of AI tools and set quality standards for AI-assisted work
• Ensure accurate time tracking, forecasting, and reporting across assigned accounts
• Contribute to agency initiatives, culture, collaboration, and operational improvement efforts
• Act as a steward of the JConnelly brand, consistently reflecting the Company’s core values, approach, and high standards of excellence in all client, media, and public interactions
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Assistant Vice President – Crisis Communications

Business Development Rep

• Own the new business pipeline across JConnelly's core practice areas
• Drive proactive outreach and convert inbound leads with equal focus on both
• Develop proposals and scope engagements in partnership with leadership
• Build referral relationships with aligned professional services partners
• Represent JConnelly at industry events and manage the pipeline
• Travel regularly to client and prospect meetings, industry events, and our New York office

Director, Business Development

Account Manager

• Independently lead and manage approximately $300K–$600K in client account revenue and related communications programs
• Serve as the lead day-to-day client contact across assigned accounts, building trusted relationships through responsiveness, strategic thinking, and sound judgment
• Lead client calls, meetings, planning discussions, and ongoing account communications
• Develop and oversee integrated communications strategies, PR plans, campaign execution, and executive visibility initiatives aligned with client business objectives
• Provide strategic counsel across reputation management, thought leadership, media strategy, and stakeholder communications
• Identify opportunities to expand client relationships and support organic account growth
• Demonstrate advanced media relations capabilities with strong relationships across business, trade, broadcast, digital, and national media
• Develop compelling narratives, story angles, and proactive media strategies that generate meaningful client exposure
• Secure high-profile media opportunities, feature coverage, executive interviews, speaking engagements, and thought leadership placements
• Lead media preparation efforts including briefing documents, messaging guidance, executive prep, and event coordination
• Oversee media outreach efforts across account teams and provide guidance on pitching strategy and positioning
• Support special initiatives including book launches, executive campaigns, conferences, and industry events
• Support the development and execution of crisis and issues management strategies for clients
• Draft and oversee materials including holding statements, Q&As, executive talking points, media statements, and stakeholder communications
• Monitor media, social, and industry developments to proactively identify reputational risks and emerging issues
• Help counsel clients through sensitive situations with professionalism, discretion, and strategic judgment
• Coordinate with senior leadership and external partners including legal counsel where appropriate
• Manage, mentor, and support the development of Account Coordinators, Account Executives, and interns
• Delegate responsibilities effectively while ensuring quality control and accountability across client deliverables
• Provide ongoing coaching, constructive feedback, and professional development support to junior team members
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing, and solutions-oriented team environment
• Review, edit, and refine agency-generated materials prior to client distribution
• Draft and oversee development of press releases, executive messaging, award submissions, bylined content, social media copy, and other strategic communications materials
• Ensure messaging is clear, compelling, accurate, and aligned with broader client positioning and business priorities
• Support agency growth initiatives through participation in new business development, prospect research, proposals, and pitch meetings
• Demonstrate strong networking and relationship-building capabilities across media, industry, and professional communities
• Identify opportunities for agency visibility, partnerships, and relationship expansion
• Contribute ideas that strengthen agency positioning, services, and market relevance
• Demonstrate strong understanding of digital communications, social platforms, audience engagement, and emerging media trends
• Utilize AI-enabled tools and technologies to improve research, content development, media monitoring, workflow efficiency, and strategic insights
• Understand the opportunities and risks associated with AI-generated content and communications
• Stay informed on evolving communications technologies, analytics tools, and digital best practices
• Manage multiple accounts, deadlines, and priorities with strong organizational discipline and attention to detail
• Contribute to agency initiatives, culture, collaboration, and operational improvement efforts
• Represent the JConnelly brand with professionalism, credibility, intellectual curiosity, and high standards of excellence in all interactions
• Perform other duties as assigned

Assistant Vice President – Crisis Communications

Director, Business Development

Public Relations – Account Supervisor