Account Director | Planning Communications
Account Director | Planning Communications

Account Director | Planning Communications

Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Cavendish

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead client relationships and deliver impactful communications campaigns in planning and infrastructure.
  • Company: Join Cavendish, a top PR consultancy known for its award-winning culture and results.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, extensive training, private medical insurance, and paid volunteer time.
  • Why this job: Elevate your career while working with talented professionals in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: Enthusiasm for learning, strong communication skills, and an interest in current affairs required.
  • Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent growth opportunities.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Join to apply for the Account Director | Planning Communications role at Cavendish.

What we’re all about: Cavendish is all about talented people, delivering excellent results for our clients. We are a multi-award-winning, PR Week Top 150 communications consultancy, ranked No 1 in PR Week’s UK Public Affairs consultancy rankings and recognised at PRCA National Awards 2025 as Large Consultancy of the Year. Across our 11 strategically located UK and Ireland offices, Cavendish brings together industry-specialist communications to provide integrated solutions for clients and limitless development opportunities for our people. We believe in sourcing talent from diverse backgrounds, nurturing a company culture that leads to a strong work‑life balance, and strengthening it by providing great learning and development opportunities.

Job details:

  • Location: London
  • Employment type: Full time
  • Hours: 37.5 hours per week
  • Contract: Permanent

What you will get from us: You’ll have the opportunity to take your career to the next level, working with dynamic, talented people in a fast‑paced and expanding organisation. Alongside a competitive salary, we provide extensive training and development opportunities and an industry‑leading benefits package including:

  • A flexible, hybrid working model
  • Access to mentorship from some of the best minds in the industry
  • Industry leading allocation of paid time off
  • Geographical flexibility across our regional offices
  • Private Medical Insurance
  • Regular social and teambuilding events
  • Paid time off to volunteer for a charity

What we are looking for:

  • A hunger to learn, an enthusiastic attitude and an open mind
  • A desire to work at pace, learn by osmosis from industry experts, and deliver consistently high‑quality work
  • An interest in current affairs and understanding of how local government works
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills
  • A creative mindset

Knowledge and Skills:

  • Strong and demonstrable understanding of how the various levels of government work at both local and national levels
  • An excellent understanding of the property, energy or infrastructure sectors and the challenges they face
  • Strong working knowledge of the UK planning process and relevant consenting regimes (e.g. DCO, T&CPA)
  • The ability to think strategically and develop new business proposals, tender responses and client strategies and engagement plans
  • Maintaining and growing a valuable portfolio of key clients across FMGC, property, energy or infrastructure
  • Strong inter‑personal skills and the ability to work across client and internal teams to develop strong and lasting relationships with clients and colleagues

What you will need to do:

  • A lead relationship holder for your assigned clients. You are accountable for the effective and profitable delivery of projects and retainers for these clients.
  • You are a key driver of income growth, taking responsibility for developing existing clients and winning new clients for Cavendish.
  • Design and implement proactive marketing campaigns for lead generation.
  • Your specific duties will include:
  • Working with multi‑disciplinary teams to lead compliant communications campaigns in support of planning and infrastructure projects
  • Supporting and leading the effective delivery of current client work including strategy development, tactical delivery, community and media liaison, client meeting attendance, and compiling project documentation
  • Helping drive research both in support of individual tenders and pitches and more general campaigns targeted at certain audiences within the I&E sector
  • Working with the Directors to analyse the market, develop new offerings and products/services
  • Working in a flexible way across projects and teams to provide support in line with client and new business demands
  • Building client relationships and identifying opportunities to deliver additional support
  • Managing Account Executives
  • Helping the delivery of marketing efforts of the team and wider business

Equal Opportunities: Our vision is to be a truly diverse and inclusive workplace that enables us to attract and retain a diverse workforce, representative of our clients and community. For this reason, we welcome applications from candidates regardless of qualifications and experience in industry and from all persons, regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. Everyone stands to benefit when we embrace and value the diversity of thoughts, ideas, and ways of working that people from different backgrounds, experiences and identities bring to an organisation. We are a disability confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the application and interview stages, please email peopleteam@cavendishconsulting.com.

Account Director | Planning Communications employer: Cavendish

Cavendish is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and well-being of its employees, offering a dynamic work environment in London. With a strong commitment to work-life balance, extensive training opportunities, and a flexible hybrid working model, employees can thrive while contributing to award-winning communications strategies. The company fosters a culture of inclusivity and collaboration, ensuring that every team member has the chance to learn from industry experts and make a meaningful impact.
Cavendish

Contact Detail:

Cavendish Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Account Director | Planning Communications

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its recent projects. Show them you’re genuinely interested in what they do and how you can contribute to their success.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain why you’re the perfect fit for the role. Highlight your skills and experiences that align with what they’re looking for, especially in planning communications.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our awesome team at Cavendish.

We think you need these skills to ace Account Director | Planning Communications

Strong Communication Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Strategic Thinking
Client Relationship Management
Understanding of Local Government
Knowledge of UK Planning Process
Experience in Property, Energy or Infrastructure Sectors
Business Development Skills
Creative Mindset
Project Management
Market Analysis
Lead Generation
Team Leadership
Flexibility in Working Across Projects

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Account Director role. Highlight your experience in planning communications and any relevant projects you've worked on that align with Cavendish's values and goals.

Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Use specific examples from your past work that showcase your strong communication, strategic thinking, and client relationship management abilities. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!

Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone with a hunger to learn and an enthusiastic attitude, so don’t be afraid to show us who you are and what drives you in your career.

Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This way, your application will go straight to our hiring team, and you’ll be one step closer to joining our dynamic and talented crew at Cavendish!

How to prepare for a job interview at Cavendish

✨Know Your Stuff

Before the interview, dive deep into understanding how local and national government works, especially in relation to the property, energy, or infrastructure sectors. Familiarise yourself with the UK planning process and relevant consenting regimes like DCO and T&CPA. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also show your genuine interest in the role.

✨Showcase Your Communication Skills

As an Account Director, strong communication is key. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed client relationships or led teams in the past. Think about specific situations where your interpersonal skills made a difference. Practising these anecdotes will help you articulate your experience clearly during the interview.

✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking

Be ready to discuss how you think strategically about client engagement and business proposals. Consider preparing a few ideas on how you would approach developing new business for Cavendish. This shows that you're not just thinking about the role but also how you can contribute to the company's growth.

✨Embrace the Company Culture

Cavendish values a diverse and inclusive workplace, so be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to this culture. Share your thoughts on work-life balance and continuous learning. Showing that you align with their values will make you a more attractive candidate.

Account Director | Planning Communications
Cavendish

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