Account Manager - Litigation/Crisis

Portland; London; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000

Job description

Whilst this job ad is for an Account Manager, who we would expect to have around 3 years of experience, we would be happy to receive applications from candidates with 1-3 years’ experience. If you’re shortlisted, we’ll happily chat more about the position and discuss the job level that would be most appropriate for you.

About Portland

Portland is a global advisory firm, helping companies, foundations, governments and organisations communicate effectively, grow and succeed.

We advise clients navigating business and reputational challenges, including regulatory change, political transition, and legal disputes and crises, ensuring they seize opportunities to engage in policy discussions and in the media when it matters most.

Headquartered in London, with a network of team members in critical markets, our advisors are drawn from the worlds of politics, business, law and journalism. Our work is supported by specialist digital, research and creative teams, and backed by Omnicom’s global network and capabilities.

Combining political nous and cultural savvy, Portland’s advisers build strategies and campaigns tailored to clients’ needs, delivering outcomes that make a difference.

Litigation and Disputes Team:

Portland’s Litigation and Disputes Communications offer is managed by a team of litigation communications specialists. Our team is best in class: Chambers and Partners’ Litigation Support Guide 2024 has consistently ranked Portland as “Band 1” in the UK since 2018.

Portland’s specialist and experienced team is diligent, discreet and focused on results. Our team is made up of people with a diverse range of communications and legal expertise. We look for people who can bring unique experiences and perspectives to solve challenging client problems. We work alongside clients and their lawyers to provide strategic communications advice. Working on high-stakes, multi-jurisdictional litigation cases, including those involving major businesses, group action litigations, and high-profile regulatory and financial investigations.

We manage risks for our clients during high-profile and high-value cases across multiple jurisdictions and languages. We are looking for candidates with an international outlook and an understanding of how external factors, including geo-politics, affects our clients.

Our work extends beyond the courtroom to encompass complex public, commercial and regulatory considerations. You will work with teams from across Portland, particularly our Fin Comms, public affairs and research specialists, and our international offices.

The Role:

We are looking for an Account Manager to work in Portland’s Litigation and Disputes offer. This role will take responsibility for proactively driving forward day-to-day work on their accounts. You’ll be comfortable providing counsel to clients on day-to-day requests and ensuring work is delivered to the highest standard. You will also be able to work with senior colleagues to develop strategy and produce more complex work.

Account Managers may be required to carry out all or some of the following key tasks in support of our clients:

• Managing monitoring and analysis processes, tracking issues in the media and online, and making proactive, strategic recommendations.
• Sourcing information and writing briefings using legal documents and additional research.
• Developing high-quality messaging, writing press statements, opinion articles, website copy, background material etc.
• Researching media targets and delivering on media outreach.
• Strong media relations skills, including drafting press releases, pitching stories and managing rebuttals and corrections requests.
• Day-to-day account management including briefing junior team members and workflows, for example, managing actions trackers (Gantt, WIPs);
• Ability to provide consistent and constructive feedback to junior team members on work delivered.
• Supporting the senior team in project management and strategic direction of accounts.
• Being actively involved in new business proposals and pitches and researching new targets.

Key Requirements:

• Have at least 3 years’ experience working full-time in a PR agency or in-house at a relevant organisation.
• Demonstrate an interest in and understanding of the law, litigation PR, international politics and reputation management.
• A degree or equivalent experience is preferred.
• Proficient in the use of Internet tools, Microsoft programmes (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and digital/audit tools (TalkWalker, Signal, Tagger, Factiva, SimilarWeb, Google Analytics, and back-end of social platforms).
• Numerate with strong analytical skills and attention to detail and experience in managing large datasets.
• Experience of using social media platforms (LinkedIn, X) in a professional capacity.
• Demonstrable litigation PR experience and understanding of litigation and arbitration.
• Experience of Public Affairs, politics and campaigning.
• Proficient in the use of digital research and analysis tools.

Applications for this role close Monday 17th February at 9am.

What we offer in return:

We are committed to employee development and have an open doors culture where you will have the opportunity to learn from some of the most experienced people in the business. We regularly reward and promote success, and actively encourage staff to take on new challenges and responsibilities to aid progression.

Our remuneration package also includes our competitive pension contributions, private healthcare life assurance cover, company contribution to gym membership, wellbeing workshops and activities, company parties, lunch contribution each week and much, much more!

At Portland we take a flexible approach to work and encourage our colleagues to do the same. All our roles are open to flexible working requests, and we will consider all options during our recruitment process. This includes but is not limited to: flexible hours, home working, compressed hours and job sharing.

Other information:

Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications we receive it is not possible to respond directly to all applicants, only to those whose candidacy is being pursued. In addition, the length of the recruitment process varies based on the vacancy needs. Traditionally, the process takes approximately 3-4 weeks. Therefore, your patience is greatly appreciated.