PLMR is a leading, fast-growing communications agency with a dynamic, vibrant team, which delivers outstanding results for clients every day. We work across a range of core sectors, including education, health and social care, technology, built environment, energy and sustainability, and professional services to deliver public relations, public affairs, reputation management and digital strategies that play a central role in helping our clients achieve their diverse objectives.
As an Account Director you will be a leading member of the PLMR Education practice, overseeing and working across client accounts to ensure high-quality support is delivered at all times. You will be responsible for delivering high-level output across PR, public affairs, reputation management and stakeholder engagement, alongside developing overarching communications and campaign strategies, providing strategic counsel, and confidently leading client communications and decision-making. Internally, you will support the Education Practice’s senior leadership team by leading by example, supporting junior colleagues and contributing to new business, networking and marketing efforts.
You will have significant experience working within communications, including agency settings, spanning all levels of traditional and new media, public affairs and stakeholder engagement and crisis communications. You will also be able to demonstrate your ability to develop a wide network of journalists, clients and political stakeholders and will have a proven aptitude for consultancy and management. As a proud B-Corp, we are also looking for someone who shares our interest in education and delivering social impact for causes that matter.
In this role, you will work on an array of clients within education, spanning nurseries, schools, and academy trusts, to universities, skills and training providers, trade associations, corporate organisations, start-ups, and charities. You will be accountable for seamless and high-quality work, internally and externally, and will have excellent leadership skills that bring the best out of your team. You will have a passion for working across accounts that have positive social impact and be ambitious for your career and for PLMR.
The ideal candidate will have the following:
- Significant experience in communications, including time working within an agency setting.
- A strong track record of account leadership – motivating and coordinating account teams, working efficiently and to a high-standard and successfully managing multiple projects with challenging deadlines.
- Excellent written, presentation and verbal communications skills.
- Experience leading reputation management and crisis communications, including providing strategic advice and developing effective and considered communications materials.
- A proven ability to be a self-starter, critical thinker and solutions-driven consultant.
- Experience with line management and a can-do attitude and a positive, supportive and engaging approach to work.
- Experience leading on successful new business proposals and pitches, coordinating a support team and quickly developing positive relationships with prospective clients as part of this process.
- An expert understanding of the British media and political system. You will have an established network of journalists and wider contacts, even if outside of education.
- A proven ability to deliver successful client work with meaningful outcomes.
- Knowledge of the education sector is advantageous, but not essential.
- A desire to be part of a fun, close-knit and hard working team.
Main responsibilities:
- Leading the development and delivery of strategic communications, public affairs, reputation management and stakeholder engagement programmes for a wide range of education clients.
- Acting as a senior adviser to clients, providing strategic counsel on communications, media, political and reputational issues, and supporting decision-making during complex or high-profile situations.
- Leading on reputation management and crisis communications activity, providing advice, support and strategic direction to clients facing sensitive issues.
- Identifying, developing and securing impactful media opportunities, including leading on story development, media strategy, messaging and the drafting of high-profile communications materials.
- Devising and delivering public affairs campaigns, including developing key messaging and briefings, gathering political intelligence, and directing engagement with policymakers and sector stakeholders.
- Overseeing account teams to ensure client activity is delivered to a consistently high standard, on time, within budget and aligned with agreed objectives.
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, journalists, policymakers and sector stakeholders, while identifying opportunities to strengthen and grow client accounts.
- Leading new business activity, including identifying opportunities, developing proposals, coordinating pitch activity and presenting to prospective clients.
- Managing, mentoring and developing junior colleagues, providing leadership, support and quality assurance across client work.
- Contributing to the growth and profile of PLMR through networking, thought leadership, marketing activity and active participation in the development of the Education Practice.
Salary: Competitive, plus a very attractive range of benefits including: outstanding training, 25 days of annual leave (plus UK Bank Holidays); enhanced pension plan; enhance maternity pay; private healthcare, gym allowance and other employee perks such as Lunch & Learn sessions, year-round sports clubs, regular social events.