Corporate Senior Account Manager / Account Director

My client is a small and very successful corporate PR agency, that is looking for a Senior Account Manager / Account Director to join their busy team! Leading a team of ambitious communications professionals, the successful candidate will be responsible for a portfolio of accounts spanning a range of organisations, campaigns and issues across a number of sectors from real estate to professional services, tech and NFP. 

Established in 2004, the agency is one of the UK’s top 150 PR agencies (PR Week 2018). The business is made up of two teams; corporate & professional services, and community & not-for-profit.  The agency continues to go from strength to strength and is looking for someone with energy, entrepreneurial drive and ambition who can achieve top results for clients and support the wider senior management team as it enters an exciting period of growth being an integral member of the team.

The agency prides itself on its strong and structured training and development programme which all team members benefit from.  Growth and development for all individuals has been a massive factor in the success of the business and one they are committed to.   This Senior Account Manager / Account Director should expect one to one coaching sessions with an external industry expert, looking at insights and personality training as well as digital and social media focused training/development.  In addition, there is continuous training as a team, both from the external agency and online.  Building and shaping your career is of course very important to you, equally my client recognises and values the importance and effect it has on their business.

The agency is based more North London than Central, accessible by tube and over-ground. The agency has a great vibe with some fabulous talent and really interesting clients mix.  The role/clients will be shaped to your experience, passions and skill sets.  Crisis management experience would be beneficial for this hire as all team member get involved with all aspects of the corporate mix, however there is a gap in the team for solid experienced crisis work, but this is not essential.

Summary of responsibilities:

• Responsible for strategic direction of accounts
• Cultivates and maintains senior client relationships, providing senior level consultancy
• Overall responsibility for the delivery of client activities
• Overall responsibility for professional development and management of team members
• Demonstrates leadership throughout agency and willingness to develop, manage and lead in process areas
• Demonstrates ability to win or grow new business
• Understanding and use of social media. Able to advise clients on the relevancy and benefits

Experience required

• 3 - 5 years related experience of communications in a corporate or related areas, preferably agency-side or mix of both. 
• Business/client winning presentation skills
• Significant experience of managing and leading teams
• Significant experience of advising senior staff, from trustees to chief executives, on all aspects of the communications mix, including reputation and crisis management issues

Client Responsibilities

• Demonstrates ability to motivate, inspire and develop relationships with clients, partners and media through quality consultancy, strategic thinking and overall delivery
• Responsible for client’s ultimate satisfaction and consults and earns respect at the highest levels of client organisations, being regarded as the most senior contact and key extension of their publicity/marketing team
• Ability to influence strategic direction of campaign/account, anticipate issues and be intuitive to client/account needs to ensure accurate and effective long-term planning
• Delivers consultancy across a broad range of communication disciplines and provides clients with appropriate advice on tactics and implementation
• Thorough understanding of utilisation and profit of accounts under management
• Handle all client and stakeholder-facing meetings/enquiries with minimal or no support
• Ability to handle crises with minimal support and provide consultancy on damage limitation 
• Leads, directs and/or supports cross-company initiatives and/or client activity and encourages cross company teamwork throughout the organisation
• Leads teams by understanding and influencing media – delivering both the client and the media with an exemplary service
• Demonstrates a broad range of sector contacts, including target media, partners and stakeholders, which extend and strategically influence campaign results
• Ability to identify and follow through new business opportunities, both organic, within the sector and through the new business process
• Works to secure and/increase project fees and mark-up opportunities to support profit centre business plan

Agency Responsibilities

• Thorough understanding of agencies history, values and USPs and good understanding of full services offered, cross selling where appropriate
• Demonstrates clear leadership qualities including ability to motivate, inspire, delegate and develop relationships with staff 
• Ability to develop relationships and establish contacts beyond the day-to-day account management, that benefit the agency as a whole
• Oversees personal and professional development of all team members (with line manager)
• A clear understanding of client service levels and an ability to manage these and ensure they are appropriately resourced in line with fees.