---
title: 'Senior Account Director, Strategy & Crisis at Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-account-director-strategy-crisis-sunshine-sachs-morgan-lylis-los-angeles-78g6kemjww0f'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-09'
---

# Senior Account Director, Strategy & Crisis at Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis

- **Company:** Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis
- **Location:** Los Angeles, CA
- **Compensation:** $120k–$135k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2026-08-05
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-09
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/sunshinesachs/b9aba652-1180-4312-b0b7-b8a30a3b0842

## Job description

Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis is a leading global communications agency built to navigate the complexities of a hyper-connected world. We represent the icons and innovators shaping culture—from global heritage corporations and high-growth tech startups to the non-profits, creative legends, and visionary founders who define the global discourse.

Our expertise spans the full cultural spectrum. We operate at the intersection of entertainment, social impact, corporate reputation, and consumer lifestyle, executing seamlessly across traditional media, social-first outlets, brand partnerships, and influencer ecosystems. Whether we are navigating complex crisis management, elevating advocacy campaigns, or launching global consumer brands, we are storytellers at our core.

You may notice our digital presence is purposefully understated. While our clients are global household names, we believe the best work happens when the spotlight stays firmly on those we represent. We fly under the radar by design - preferring to let our campaigns, and our results, speak for themselves.

If you're driven, intentional, and ready to do good, we're ready for you!

Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis has an immediate opening for a dynamic Senior Account Director to join our Public Affairs and Crisis practice. We are looking for a modern storyteller with at least 10 years of experience who understands that in 2026, a reputation is won or lost in the social zeitgeist and the digital-first newsroom.

You are a seasoned strategist who knows that modern crisis management requires a multi-platform narrative that bridges the gap between high-level policy rooms and the rapid-fire ecosystem of social media. You possess the natural gravitas to counsel CEOs and founders through their most challenging moments, providing the creative vision and tactical precision needed to protect and repair brand integrity in an increasingly transparent world.

The Role:

- Reputation Narrative Architecture: Lead the development of 360-degree communications strategies for high-stakes public affairs and crisis accounts. You bridge the gap between traditional earned media, digital advocacy, and community-led storytelling to ensure every client’s mission is resilient and heard.
- C-Suite & Crisis Counsel: Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, founders, and boards of directors. You provide steady, thoughtful counsel through high-pressure situations, legal challenges, and complex industry shifts, using data-driven insights to prove the value of a modern proactive and reactive approach.
- Modern Media & Policy Authority: Leverage an elite network of contacts across national news, business, policy, and digital-first outlets. You understand how to do more than just manage a story; you architect narratives that shape public opinion and reach the people who matter most.
- Digital Crisis Strategy: Stay at the forefront of the attention economy. You understand how social algorithms, viral sentiment, and emerging digital platforms impact a client’s reputation, and you use that knowledge to guide real-time strategy during high-stakes moments.
- Integrated Leadership: Manage and direct multiple account teams, ensuring every campaign is fully integrated with brand strategy and digital creative. You understand how to take a complex policy issue or a corporate challenge and translate it into a narrative that resonates with the broader public.
- Business Development & Practice Growth: Lead high-stakes new business pitches and craft sophisticated proposals. You are an entrepreneurial force, proactive about identifying new revenue opportunities and expanding the agency’s footprint in the public affairs and social impact sectors.
- Mentorship & Team Building: Directly manage and empower a team of account leaders, with at least 4 years of previous management experience. You are a natural coach who is dedicated to building the careers of your staff and maintaining a culture of creative excellence under pressure.
- Relationship Driven: You recognize that the world of public affairs is built on trust and discretion. You lead by example in every interaction—prioritizing integrity, transparency, and professional poise with your team, your clients, and the media.

Who You Are:

- Industry Expert: You have at least 10 years of experience in public affairs, crisis communications, or corporate reputation, with a proven track record of leading major national and international accounts.
- The Strategic Architect: You are an outside-the-box thinker who can set a big-picture strategy in the morning and lead a tactical response team in the afternoon. You know how to rethink traditional concepts to drive engagement that feels authentic and defensible.
- An Exceptional Storyteller: You are a master writer and presenter. You can take a complex legal or policy issue and translate it into a narrative that compels the most influential editors and audiences to take notice.
- Entrepreneurial & Agile: You have an innate curiosity and a desire to help build the future of the agency. You thrive in a fast-paced environment and are excited to work with everyone from major global conglomerates to mission-driven non-profits and startups.
- Master of Account Health: You are incredibly organized and accountable. You excel at managing the financial and administrative health of multiple high-profile accounts, ensuring profitability and long-term client retention even during the most stressful periods.
- Driven to Over-Deliver: You take genuine pride in the quality of your work and are energized by the challenge of bringing stability and clarity to cultural moments in a way that exceeds expectations.

## 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.

## About Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: An independent, full-service communications and narrative consulting firm that shapes public image through earned, owned, and paid media strategies across industries.
- **Entity Type**: Private (independently held, no external funding disclosed)
- **Headquarters**: New York, New York, United States (6 East 32nd Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10016)
- **Founded**: 1992
- **Founders**: Not publicly available in sources reviewed (the firm traces its roots to 1992 and carries the legacy names of predecessor agencies)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Public Relations and Communications Services — including media relations, crisis communications, brand integration, experiential marketing, talent/influencer representation, and social impact campaigns.
- **Target customers**: B2B and B2C; spans Fortune 500 enterprises, startups and venture funds, entertainment studios and streaming platforms, celebrities and talent, nonprofits, and cause-driven organizations. Sectors include entertainment, finance, hospitality, sports, beauty, consumer goods, tech/AI, health, wellness, and retail.
- **Mission or purpose statement**: "Good ideas have the power to change the world, shape our cultural conventions, and create new models of success in every industry." The firm positions itself as a collective dedicated to defining public identity through integrated earned, owned, and paid strategies across the global media landscape.

## Products & Services
- **Media Relations & Narrative Consulting**: Storytelling across morning shows, podcasts, Substack, LinkedIn, speaking opportunities, and awards; works across nearly every industry vertical.
- **Crisis Communications**: Rapid response, scenario planning, and internal/external communications counsel for reputational crises and major company announcements.
- **Brand Integration**: Identification, strategy, and execution of partnerships, licensing opportunities, and sponsorships to maximize ROI.
- **Talent & Influencer Integration**: Celebrity and influencer programs built on decades-long relationships with influencers, agents, and publicists; executes earned and paid campaigns from nano to macro scale.
- **Experiential Marketing & Events**: End-to-end event strategy and activation for 60+ events per year — festivals, awards shows, conferences, nonprofit galas, and intimate salon dinners.
- **Creative Services**: An in-house "creative shop" providing copywriting, design, content creation, and brand strategy development.
- **Personal Representation**: Public persona management for individuals across film, television, music, sports, theater, fashion, and philanthropy — from A-listers to rising stars.
- **Entertainment Publicity**: Campaigns across film, TV, theater, awards, and events for studios, streaming platforms, filmmakers, production companies, and Broadway talent.
- **Social Impact & Nonprofit Communications**: Cause-marketing and social impact campaigns for nonprofits, celebrities, thought leaders, and changemakers.
- **AI Communications**: Specialized counsel helping clients communicate AI's impact — from external product launches to internal usage policies and proactive scenario planning.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed (privately held)
- **Key Metric**: ~215 employees; 10 offices across 2 countries (9 in the US, 1 in London, UK); workforce distributed across 6 countries including the US, UK, India, Bangladesh, and Netherlands.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: No external investors (independent firm). Clients include major and independent film studios, streaming platforms, leading venture funds, generative AI companies, likeness/IP protection technology firms, ad tech companies, Fortune 500 brands, and high-profile talent.
- **Growth Signals**: 
  - LinkedIn following of ~35,989, up 6.0% year-over-year
  - Headcount slightly contracted (-0.6% YoY, -2 people), reflecting a stable, mature workforce
  - Active hiring across multiple account levels (Assistant through Director) in PR, talent, influencer integration, and experiential marketing
  - Deepening specialization in AI communications and tech/startup PR
  - 60+ events produced annually

## Competitive Advantages
- **Independent, full-service model**: Combines earned, owned, and paid media expertise under one roof — a differentiator versus specialized or holding-company-owned agencies.
- **Deep relationship capital**: Decades-long personal relationships with influencers, agents, publicists, and media contacts enable access that is hard to replicate.
- **In-house creative shop**: Integrated creative services allow for faster, more cohesive campaign execution.
- **Data-driven storytelling**: Uses data and trend forecasting to connect clients with audiences through bold, creative narratives.
- **Cross-industry versatility**: Deep expertise spanning entertainment, tech, finance, consumer goods, hospitality, beauty, and social impact — reducing dependence on any single sector.
- **Social impact credibility**: A stated commitment to advancing social issues and working with changemakers strengthens its appeal for mission-driven clients and employees.

## Strategic Focus
- **AI communications**: Building a specialized practice around communicating AI's impact to external and internal audiences, including product launches, rollout strategy, and scenario planning.
- **Talent & influencer integration**: Scaling celebrity and influencer programs that drive awareness, credibility, and engagement.
- **Experiential marketing**: Expanding large-scale event activations and sponsorships (budgets $500k+) as a growth area.
- **Social impact**: Continuing to embed purpose-driven work across client campaigns.
- **Talent development**: Promoting from within, with structured training at every level and mentorship from day one.

## Why Work Here
- **Work model**: Hybrid — full-time roles available across offices including Los Angeles and New York; flexible work schedules and a "Work from Anywhere" program.
- **Time off & perks**: PTO, Summer Fridays, Wellness Days, and a 4-week sabbatical or celebratory trip at select anniversaries.
- **Benefits**: Medical, dental, and vision plans; 401(k) with matching; annual merit-based bonuses; fertility benefits; FSAs for medical, childcare, and commuter expenses.
- **Culture & development**: Mentorship matched from day one, year-round professional and personal growth training, level-specific teaching workshops, and a monthly "Meet the Media" series with insider pitching insights.
- **Work environment**: Collaborative workspaces (some offices with rooftops), celebrations, networking opportunities, and community volunteering.
- **DEI commitment**: Committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and ability; equal opportunity employer; marks occasions like Juneteenth, Election Day, and International Women's Day with listening and learning opportunities.

## Sources
1. [LinkedIn — Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis](https://linkedin.com/company/ssmandl)
2. [Built In — Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis Careers, Perks + Culture](https://builtin.com/company/sunshine-sachs-morgan-lylis)
3. [Built In — Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis Jobs](https://builtin.com/company/sunshine-sachs-morgan-lylis/jobs)
4. [Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis — Services](https://ssmandl.com/services/)
5. [Lever — Sunshine Sachs Careers](https://jobs.lever.co/sunshinesachs)

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