Blakeney Group are looking for an ambitious and dynamic Account Manager to join our fast-growing team.
About us
We are not an agency. We are an expert team of consultants that has worked for Prime Ministers and Secretaries of State, global media organisations, top-tier management consultancies, winning political campaigns, and FTSE 100 businesses. We build brands, shape policies, and fight for the people solving some of the world’s most complex problems. We do that using our market-leading expertise in media, government relations, communication strategy, and digital engagement.
Marketers and politicians have long understood that the best communications should change the way we think about the world. But corporate communications have lagged behind, often focusing on data at the expense of emotion, and short-term tactics at the expense of longer-term outcomes.
We started Blakeney to change that. Our approach aims to bring rigour, structure, insight, and emotional intelligence to the organisations and individuals who want to shift traditional narratives and drive the change today’s society needs.
About you
Our ideal candidate has excellent communication skills, is immersed in politics and the latest news, and has a keen eye for both detail and for opportunities.
This is a fantastic opportunity to work in a fast-paced and exciting environment, where you can learn from experienced sustainability, communications, creative, and public affairs experts.
What we are looking for:
You will need to be confident, sharp, creative, and energetic. At Blakeney, our team is our most important asset, and we are especially looking for originality and personality. Therefore, the following are guidelines, not strict prerequisites:
- Exceptional writing skills and a keen eye for detail;
- Be educated to degree level or hold equivalent professional qualifications;
- Interesting experience in a communications or political role;
- Excellent organisational skills – with experience of working to tight deadlines and under pressure;
- Strong research skills and ability to distil complex information into digestible language;
- Good working knowledge and experience in using social media and excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office;
- A willingness and ability to help shape our company and the way we do business;
- Immersed in the latest news, including politics or sustainability;
- Self-starter, motivated attitude, and a desire to actively grow our business commercially (new business and client growth);
- Basic knowledge of corporate sustainability (preferred);
- A friendly, fun demeanour – balanced with first-rate professionalism .
You will be responsible for:
- Supporting accounts, ranging from corporates in the energy space to global NGOs;
- Leading project management for client deliverables to ensure work is delivered on time and of the highest quality;
- Drafting an array of communication materials from press releases to social media copy to communications strategies;
- Executing earned media strategies – developing media lists, drafting pitch materials, pitching journalists, scheduling interviews, and tracking coverage;
- Demonstrating a comprehensive and current understanding of the media, political landscape, and current affairs, and ideally, sustainability;
- Keeping track of issues/market developments relevant to your clients, key market sectors, and wider networks by reading specialist publications, following KOLs on social media, and attending events;
- Demonstrating an understanding of wider political context and applying to the client, to drive client satisfaction and retention and build your own reputation as a subject matter expert;
- Fostering strong relationships across client organisations to be seen as a go-to team member who can readily provide answers and solutions;
- Building your network by attending events and deepening relationships with existing and prospective clients, as well as individuals who may be valuable connections for clients;
- Taking ownership of workstreams and day-to-day account activity across clients, leading others to produce quality outputs with well-structured, effective approaches;
- Developing confident and effective presentation and facilitation skills to use internally with teams and externally with clients;
- Mentoring junior colleagues.
From us, you can expect:
- Annual salary circa £40,000;
- An industry-leading benefits package with you in the driving seat;
- 33 days a year of holiday allowance, including bank holidays;
- Hybrid working so you can work in a way that suits you;
- Top-tier health and life insurance for all employees;
- Generous, simple, and transparent bonus scheme based on company and personal performance;
- Lots of work socials and company events;
- Active focus on personal development and your part in building our culture;
- Training budget tailored to your overall career – not just our business plan;
- A progressive approach to work-life with a focus on your physical and mental health (including mental health training, ‘Recharge Days’, time back to you for keeping fit and ways of giving back to society);
- Pension scheme.