PR Account Director

The Role  

We are looking for a strong Account Director (AD) with experience working across consumer clients who can direct, manage, develop and key accounts within the agency. As an AD we would like you to help develop and maintain strong client relationships, take responsibility for delivering client expectations and driving forward integrated communications programmes.  

We’re looking for someone who has a creative flair for storytelling and can shape a story that lands in editorial media, and that can direct and manage accounts, teams and internal programmes with a high degree of independence. 

Delivering outstanding work and winning the trust of our clients is essential, as it helps us to continue to raise the bar of our creative work, while driving continued growth. 

Alongside delivering brilliant work, you would work closely with the senior team to achieve the agency’s exciting vision and values across new business.  

Experience & Skills 

As an AD you should be able to routinely provide leadership in the following areas: 

Client Servicing 

As an AD we would like you to direct a portfolio of clients, working with the senior management team to: 

• Strategically respond to briefs and ongoing programme management, overseeing implementation, evaluation, budgets and timelines 

• Demonstrate a solid understand of research and strategy, refining key insights to shape client strategies, effectively interrogate briefs and identify a strong brand narrative and strategic proposition  

• Provide strategic counsel to clients in support of programmes or ad hoc situations, identifying and addressing potential problems before they become issues 

• Maintain a strong knowledge and understanding of the media and industry influencers in order to oversee and direct successful media campaigns, and share this knowledge 

• Demonstrate an excellent command of written work, executing high level quality control of team documents and be able to draft difficult client comms effectively   

• Efficiently and effectively plan and manage campaigns (including activations and events) 

• Manage client teams to exceed expectations in terms of PR programmes, integrated PR and social programmes, evaluations, timelines, budgets, creativity and quality with the support of the wider team as necessary 

• Maintain and grow accounts, identifying areas of opportunity and proactively sharing and following through with activities to boost the account 

• Where required, act as the client’s primary contact, while encouraging and proactively supporting development of relationships between other team members and the client 

• Manage clear budgets and the monthly invoicing process to ensure accuracy and timeliness 

• Demonstrate an excellent understanding of client brief and creative challenge, working with all relevant colleagues to produce collaborative, stand-out creative ideas and outputs for clients 

Business Development 

As an AD your priority will be delivering outstanding work and growing our existing client portfolio. In addition, we would like you to: 

• Contribute to new business opportunities, from brief taking and plan preparation to presentation 

• Actively seek out opportunities across Havas, the industry and from within your own network 

• Initiate AI strategy for accounts. 

• Collaborate at an executive level within OGB to align client services with overall agency vision. 

People Management 

As an AD, you will help us: 

• Identify strengths and weaknesses of direct reports and team members, including career development as appropriate, and manage performance appraisals for direct reports 

• Provide timely, specific and constructive feedback, and mentoring  

• Manage staff to maximize productivity and individual, team and financial performance 

• Ensure deadlines and timeframes for consultants are being provided and met, directing senior/account managers in the day-to-day running of accounts 

• Look for and provide opportunities for individuals to expand roles and responsibilities 

• Recognise good work and achievement 

• Accurately forecast team hours and billings to track and build capacity and staff needs 

• Mentor and empower your team (Senior Account Managers, Account Managers) to develop sophisticated cultural intelligence capabilities, fostering an agency-wide culture of proactive trendspotting and insightful application. 

Desired Experience 

• Experience at AD level   

• Experience in driving year-long, complex communications programmes  

• Experience in running creative consumer accounts  

• Experience in managing a team in fast-paced environment  

Essential Skills and Behaviours 

• Creative flair for crafting stories which will land in editorial media 

• Passion and robust understanding of the media landscape  

• Proactive approach to problems and challenges, identifying solutions well ahead of time & escalates important issues  

• Strong interpersonal skills 

• Excellent team player  

• Sense of humour  

#LI-AC2