At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting campaigns for top consumer brands and drive strategic thinking.
- Company: Join a multi-award-winning agency committed to making a positive impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days holiday, health insurance, and regular socials.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive culture with excellent growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team shaping culturally relevant campaigns that matter.
- Qualifications: Experience in consumer media relations and a passion for storytelling.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Working Pattern: Full time, hybrid working
About Cirkle
We’re a multi-award-winning consumer and B2B comms agency representing some of Britain’s best loved brands and businesses. Quite simply, it’s our people that drive our agency and creating a culture which genuinely puts them at the heart of our operation and vision is what makes them feel counted. We are a B Corp and Blueprinted agency, and we take our commitment to using our business as a force for good seriously. We don’t tick boxes, we build and evolve initiatives, programmes and partnerships which create meaning, both for the people in our business, as well as the communities and stakeholders we serve. We are proud to be included in the 2024 Campaign Best Places to Work list and were shortlisted for the 2024 PR Week Best Places to Work.
About the role
Cirkle’s Consumer Brand Division is looking for an ambitious, culturally connected Account Director to help lead some of the UK’s most exciting consumer lifestyle and household brands. We’re looking for someone who lives and breathes earned media - a true publicity specialist with exceptional media instincts, strong journalist relationships and a passion for creating campaigns people genuinely talk about. From securing standout national coverage to spotting reactive opportunities before they break, this role is all about delivering earned-first ideas that cut through culture and conversation.
The day to day
As an integral senior leader within Cirkle’s Consumer team overseeing a dedicated team of consumer experts - you’ll drive strategic thinking, inspire creative excellence across accounts and build trusted, long‑term client partnerships. You’ll lead teams to deliver exceptional work, champion earned thinking across the agency and help shape campaigns that create meaningful results for clients and audiences alike.
Responsibilities will include:
- Cultivate and maintain strong senior client relationships, acting as a trusted advisor
- Partner with Cirkle’s central creative and strategy hub to shape bold, culturally relevant campaigns that deliver against client objectives
- Oversee campaign evaluation and reporting, ensuring results demonstrate clear impact and value
- Lead earned‑first campaign development with a focus on generating standout consumer coverage and cultural relevance
- Drive proactive media relations programmes across national, consumer, lifestyle and interiors media
- Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists, editors, broadcasters, influencers and content creators
- Identify reactive and real‑time opportunities that keep clients relevant within culture and conversation
- Identify opportunities to drive organic client growth and additional project work
- Lead the development of proposals and pitches, acting as a confident strategic and creative lead
- Lead budget creation and forecasting across relevant accounts
- Manage account profitability and performance in line with agreed KPIs and financial targets
- Lead, motivate and develop team members, fostering a positive, ambitious and curious team culture
- Coach and mentor junior team members to support individual and collective growth
About you
The ideal candidate will bring strong experience across consumer brands within retail, lifestyle or FMCG sectors, alongside a deep understanding of today’s evolving media landscape. You’ll know how to turn brand stories into headlines, build integrated campaigns that travel across channels, and understand the growing role of digital PR, search visibility and GEO in today’s landscape.
You’ll have:
- Strong experience working across consumer lifestyle, household, retail, interiors or FMCG brands
- Proven expertise in consumer media relations and publicity, with strong national, lifestyle and consumer press contacts
- Experience developing creative, earned‑first campaigns that deliver measurable impact and cultural relevance
- Understanding of integrated communications across earned, influencer, social and digital channels
- Knowledge of digital PR, SEO and GEO principles would be highly advantageous
- Excellent strategic thinking and client consultancy skills
- Strong organisation and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple stakeholders, priorities and deadlines
- Highly creative with a strong instinct for newsworthy storytelling and media sell‑in
- Confident working in a fast‑paced agency environment and able to adapt quickly to changing priorities
- Experience managing and developing teams
In return
- Monthly employee recognition awards
- Comprehensive wellbeing programme, including health insurance and up to 8 free counselling sessions per year
- Fully funded railcards
- Regular funded socials
- 27 days paid holiday, plus Birthday day off, plus ‘Joy Day’ – an initiative launched by the Wellbeing team in 2022, to encourage the team to take a day off to do something which brings them joy
- Internal and external mentoring and buddy schemes
- An electric car salary sacrifice scheme
- Social purpose led paid time off for volunteering, voting, giving blood and every team member has one ‘allyship’ day per year, where they are encouraged to take a day to demonstrate allyship by supporting the interests of marginalised groups
At Cirkle, we embrace diversity and inclusion and believe it enriches our performance, services and culture. As our industry and team continue to evolve to reflect the growing diversity of our communities, our efforts to understand, value, and incorporate differences become increasingly important.
PR Account Director (Consumer) employer: Cirkle
Cirkle is an exceptional employer that prioritises its people, fostering a vibrant and inclusive work culture where creativity and collaboration thrive. With a strong commitment to social responsibility as a B Corp agency, employees benefit from comprehensive wellbeing programmes, generous holiday allowances, and unique initiatives like 'Joy Day' to promote personal fulfilment. Located in a dynamic environment, Cirkle offers ample opportunities for professional growth and development, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the PR industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land PR Account Director (Consumer)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy to reach out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your personality! When you get that interview, let your passion for PR shine through. Share your ideas and experiences that relate to the role, and don’t forget to highlight how you can contribute to Cirkle’s mission of making a positive impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Research, research, research! Know Cirkle’s clients and recent campaigns inside out. This will not only impress your interviewers but also help you come up with creative ideas that align with their vision and values.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the team!
We think you need these skills to ace PR Account Director (Consumer)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for PR and consumer brands shine through. We want to see that you live and breathe earned media, so share examples of campaigns you've loved or worked on that really made an impact.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the role at Cirkle. Highlight your experience with consumer lifestyle brands and any strong media relationships you have. We love seeing how your background aligns with our mission and values!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and focus on what makes you a great fit for the Account Director role. Remember, less is often more!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cirkle
✨Know Your Brands
Before the interview, dive deep into Cirkle's client portfolio. Familiarise yourself with their consumer lifestyle and household brands. Being able to discuss specific campaigns or media coverage will show your genuine interest and understanding of the agency's work.
✨Showcase Your Media Savvy
Prepare examples of how you've successfully navigated media relations in the past. Highlight your relationships with journalists and any standout earned-first campaigns you've led. This will demonstrate your expertise and ability to deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Strategy
Cirkle values strategic thinking, so come prepared to discuss how you would approach campaign development. Think about how you can integrate various channels like digital PR and social media to create impactful campaigns that resonate culturally.
✨Emphasise Team Leadership
As a potential senior leader, be ready to talk about your experience in managing and developing teams. Share specific examples of how you've fostered a positive team culture and mentored junior members, as this aligns with Cirkle's commitment to growth and collaboration.
