Brown O’Connor Communications is one of Ireland’s most trusted and respected communications advisory firms.
We have a track record for managing and delivering complex communications programmes for some of the UK and Ireland’s leading businesses, professional services, charities, trade bodies, interest groups and public-sector organisations.
We help our clients gain impact and outcomes through specialist insight and influence with editors, government ministers and corporate decision makers.
Specialist in Public Affairs, Corporate Media Relations, Issues Management & Crisis Communications, the agency was awarded the CIPR Best Public Affairs Campaign 2022/2023 and was named the Chartered Institute of Public Relations Northern Ireland Consultancy of the Year (Small) 2021/2022.
The person
Brown O’Connor Communications is seeking a talented and ambitious Client Manager to join the team.
This is an exciting and demanding role within a leading consultancy and requires a resilient individual with demonstrable client management and leadership ability.
You may be already working in public affairs or corporate communications in an agency; as an in-house communications manager; in politics; or as journalist.
You will have a deep professional interest in business, the media and politics and have a detailed understanding of the role that media relations, public affairs, and stakeholder relations plays.
Client Manager Role Specification
Strategic Counsel
Proven client handling skills with experience in managing large accounts, providing proactive strategic advice and great ideas.
Ability to manage a high level of client interaction and be able to design and implement strategies.
Day to Day Delivery
- Proven ability to work in a fast paced, often pressurised, outcome orientated environment;
- Manage political lobbying campaigns securing policy change, legislative change and the smooth running of political engagement programmes;
- Manage public awareness campaigns integrating various methods to create significant public interest;
- Write strong editorial content on behalf of clients including press releases, opinion/platform pieces and blogs and ensure coverage across a range of media outlets;
- Manage an entire range of suppliers such as photographers, graphic designers, videographers, economists and sectoral experts integral to the successful delivery of client activity campaigns;
- Be able to create engaging social media content across multiple platforms;
- Forward plan to ensure smooth running of client campaigns on time, and within budget.
New Business Development
- Take a leading role in new business development and organic growth opportunities alongside company directors and be comfortable in pitching and proposal development;
- Supporting successful tender writing from start to submission;
- Experience in identifying and converting new business opportunities.
People Management
- Line management duties with wider members of team;
- Understanding the requirement to work with efficiency and profitably;
- Manage team members on client accounts to ensure work is carried out successfully and within allocated budgets;
- Work as a team player with Brown O’Connor colleagues to ensure success across client accounts;
- Deliver outcomes for clients and work to raise their profile in the media and with key stakeholders in a positive way.
Criteria
- Proven working in the areas of Public Affairs and/or Corporate or Strategic Communications or within a communications environment (Agency experience preferred);
- Third Level Degree or equivalent in the preferred areas of Communications, Law, Politics, Business, Social Science or Humanities;
- Possess strong writing and editing skills with ability to write attention-grabbing media material, client correspondence and reports;
- An excellent communicator both written and oral;
- Commercially and politically aware;
- Outstanding organisational skills and ability to manage multiple projects at the same time;
- Strong initiative, leadership skills and work ethic;
- Ability to hustle to make things happen;
- Willingness to work evenings and weekends as required by client and other activity;
- Clean driving licence and access to a car.
Desirable Criteria
Experience in working in a similar communications role in the Republic of Ireland.