Posted 10 days ago

Account Director, Beauty & Lifestyle

New YorkHybridFull-time

AI Summary

Account Director for the Beauty & Lifestyle practice at Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis, leading 360-degree communications strategies for high-profile beauty and lifestyle brands, counseling founders, managing account teams, and driving business development.

About this role

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 strategic, high-velocity Account Director to join our Beauty and Lifestyle practice. We are looking for a modern storyteller with at least 7–8 years of experience who understands that in 2026, a brand is not defined by what it says, but by the community it builds and the cultural space it occupies.

You are a seasoned strategist who understands the modern communications landscape in its entirety. You know that a successful launch requires a multi-platform narrative that bridges the gap between top-tier editorial prestige and digital-first virality. You possess the natural gravitas to counsel founders and executives and the creative vision to rethink how beauty and lifestyle brands engage with a fragmented and increasingly discerning audience.

The Role:

Strategic Narrative Architecture: Lead the development of 360-degree communications strategies for high-profile beauty and lifestyle brands. You bridge the gap between traditional earned media, social-first content, and creator-led storytelling to ensure every campaign has a cohesive impact.

Founder & Executive Counsel: Serve as a trusted daily advisor to brand founders and senior leaders. You provide steady, thoughtful counsel through high-pressure launches, complex industry shifts, and stressful situations, acting as the primary strategic partner for your clients.

Modern Media & Cultural Authority: Leverage an elite network of contacts across beauty, wellness, fashion, and business media. You understand how to secure more than just product roundups; you architect deep-dive feature stories and out-of-the-box media moments that impact a brand’s bottom line.

Integrated Leadership: Manage and direct multiple account teams, ensuring every campaign is fully integrated with brand partnerships, influencer strategy, and digital creative. You understand how to scale a project from a niche favorite to a household name.

Business Development: Lead new business meetings and assist in crafting sophisticated proposals. You are an entrepreneurial force, proactive about identifying new revenue opportunities and expanding the agency’s footprint in the lifestyle sector.

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 account leaders and maintaining a culture of creative excellence.

Content Intelligence: Stay at the forefront of the attention economy. You understand how short-form video, community platforms, and evolving algorithms impact a brand’s reputation and reach, and you use that knowledge to guide daily client strategy.

Relationship Driven: You recognize that our business is built on trust and authenticity. 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 Industry Authority: You have at least 8 years of experience in beauty and lifestyle communications, with a proven track record of leading impactful national campaigns. You understand the nuances of the wellness and skincare landscapes and how they intersect with broader culture.

The Strategic Architect: You are an outside-the-box thinker who can set a big-picture strategy and lead a pitch team simultaneously. You know how to rethink traditional concepts to drive engagement that feels fresh and authentic.

An Exceptional Storyteller: You are a master writer and presenter. You can take a complex brand mission or a technical product innovation 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 conglomerates to disruptive startups.

Master of Account Health: You are incredibly organized and accountable. You excel at managing the financial and administrative health of your account roster, ensuring profitability and long-term client retention.

Driven to Over-Deliver: You take genuine pride in the quality of your work and are energized by the challenge of bringing cultural moments to life in a way that exceeds expectations.

Skills

Account ManagementBrand PartnershipsBusiness DevelopmentClient CounselingCommunications StrategyCommunity PlatformsEarned MediaInfluencer StrategyMedia RelationsPitch DevelopmentShort-form VideoSocial-first ContentTeam Mentorship