Public Affairs & PR Senior Account Executive – Senior Account Manager

Black Cherry Recruitment Ltd; York; Hybrid; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job description

Public Affairs & PR Senior Account Executive – Senior Account Manager

York/Hybrid

REF: BCHS326

This employee-owned, national Public Affairs & PR consultancy is looking to expand their newly launched York office with the appointment of either a Senior Account Executive, Account Manager, or Senior Account Manager.

There is currently a team of two in the York office, an Account Director and an Account Executive, so this person will sit in between in terms of level. The overall agency employs over 100 people across their various UK offices. The role offers fantastic career opportunities as the office grows.

Working for high-profile clients in sectors including low carbon, property, renewables, transport, education, housing, and sustainable development, you will be helping clients to understand the political and planning landscape in which they bring forward development proposals, identifying community support, stakeholder engagement, and working to achieve consent.

This is an exciting opportunity and a chance for the right candidate to stamp their mark on a successful and expanding business. They need someone who can connect across the business but also work independently. Generally, a Senior Account Executive would have a minimum of two years’ experience and a Senior Account Manager four years’ experience.

Senior Account Executive

They are seeking a creative, articulate, and intelligent team player with a strong interest in media and current affairs, combined with a strategic mindset. You’ll be passionate about today’s key issues and motivated to work on projects that will shape future generations.

Role Responsibilities:

• Lead client meetings independently when required, without senior support.
• Present and confidently sell the agency’s full range of services during formal presentations, meetings, or networking opportunities.
• Act as a key point of contact for clients in the absence of their manager, building strong client relationships.
• Provide strategic consultancy advice and offer tactical solutions to clients during meetings and in new business proposals.
• Manage your time efficiently, prioritising multiple tasks, delegating where appropriate, and developing grassroots managerial skills.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the financial implications tied to managing accounts and projects.
• Cultivate a network of media contacts relevant to your sector and attend meetings with journalists unaccompanied.
• Develop and hone your presentation skills for both existing and new business pitches.
• Monitor and report on account performance against agreed KPIs, assessing the effectiveness and value of completed work.
• Take a lead role in producing campaign materials and managing the process from design to client approval, keeping the Account Manager updated on progress.
• Plan and manage the logistical aspects of events, such as journalist briefings and public exhibitions, ensuring smooth execution and flagging potential risks or opportunities.
• Gain an in-depth understanding of the planning process (TCPA and DCO) if applicable to your role, and demonstrate a solid grasp of how local and national government and other public sector organisations impact clients and their business strategies.

They are looking for a proactive and articulate individual who will take ownership of project strategies, lead and motivate your team, and ensure that activities are aligned with our clients’ goals. Your strategic input will be key in ensuring the delivery of high-impact communications and consultation plans.

Additional Role Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic insights into clients’ businesses, understanding their commercial landscape and key challenges.
• Lead campaigns/projects, driving them forward to meet objectives and agreed goals.
• Ensure seamless delivery of communications or community consultation plans, applying appropriate evaluation, measurement, and reporting systems.
• Prepare and present strategic plans and recommendations to clients.
• Actively participate in new business development, identifying leads, contributing to pitches, and drafting proposals.
• Manage crises and incidents with minimal oversight, ensuring swift and effective resolutions.
• Lead, mentor, and train members of the account team, ensuring high-quality output.
• Oversee the work of Account Executives, delegating tasks, monitoring progress, and ensuring consistent delivery across accounts.
• Build and nurture long-term client relationships through regular contact and delivering added value.
• Take full responsibility for the successful execution of client events, ensuring all logistics are expertly managed.
• Stay informed on local/national politics, public sector structures, and planning processes relevant to our sectors.

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