This is an exciting opportunity for a candidate to work in a talented team directing a range of EU public affairs and communications accounts, developing their management experience and taking a proactive role in identifying and securing new business.
The new EU Account Director would thrive in a fast-moving entrepreneurial atmosphere, have a love of politics and a high level of professionalism. We’re looking for someone with substantial experience in EU public affairs, corporate communications or external relations either in agency or in-house, or with equivalent experience in the European Institutions or the media.
The Whitehouse Consultancy is an independent integrated communications agency that has had a dedicated EU function for over two decades. The position is based in London but travel to Brussels (and other European capitals) is required.
Job Description
- Overall responsibility for maintaining client accounts, establishing a long-term strategic approach on accounts and leading on account delivery;
- Line management of members of the consulting team;
- Overseeing and ensuring a high quality of a wide range of written and visual material;
- Building trusted relationships with clients, parliamentarians, media and officials;
- Representing Whitehouse, and attending with clients, meetings with parliamentarians, officials, journalists and senior executives;
- Sharing responsibility for new business development and meeting growth targets, including development of new business strategies, taking the lead in pitches, identifying opportunities for potential clients and growing existing accounts;
- Overall responsibility for client retention and profitably within your team structure.
Core Competencies
- Substantial experience in a EU public affairs or external communications role;
- A thorough and extensive knowledge of the EU policy making process and structures;
- A demonstrable ability to devise and carry out successful political campaigns for clients from the public, private and voluntary sectors;
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with an ability to communicate with a range of decision makers along with senior corporate personnel;
- Experience of working with the mechanisms of the European Union to drive forward change;
- Experience of presenting reports and presentations both verbally and in writing;
- The ability to identify and drive forwards new business opportunities;
- Experience of line management, managing work streams, and the ability to prioritise own workload;
- Sense of humour.
Desirable
- Experience drafting media and social media strategies, pitching stories to the media, issues management and crisis communications;
- Knowledge of other languages an asset.