At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead dynamic client programmes and manage busy press offices for top brands.
- Company: Join a leading PR agency known for its inclusive culture and employee ownership.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible work, generous holidays, performance bonuses, and extensive learning opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a fast-growing agency with great career development and a vibrant team culture.
- Why this job: Make an impact in corporate PR while working with renowned brands and talented teams.
- Qualifications: 5 years in B2B or corporate PR, strong media relations, and excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
We are a leading PR, social and creative communications agency that works with clients to promote and protect their brands and reputations.
Our team of over 100 people across the UK are united by our ambition to create brand defining work that helps advance the cause of brands that have the scale and commitment to effect positive change in their markets.
Our client partners include Lloyds Banking Group, Aldi, Arla, Molson Coors, Crown Paints, Continental Tyres, Primark and Siemens.
Citypress is independently run, regionally-connected, employee-owned and one of the leading employers in the communications sector.
We have featured in The Sunday Times Top 100 Best Companies list for four years, are the most-awarded agency in the PRWeek Best Places to Work awards over the last six years and have been named as a PRWeek Agency of the Decade and most recently it's Mid-Sized Consultancy of the Year – a first for an agency headquartered outside of London.
We are a fast-growing, entrepreneurial agency with a great culture that backs people to develop their careers and deliver their best work.
Our culture is inclusive, and we actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.
We welcome people with different life experiences and backgrounds to bring valuable insight and perspectives to our agency and clients.
About this role
We are growing our B2B and corporate specialism and have an exciting opportunity for a dynamic, confident and ambitious account director or senior account manager to join the team.
The role is ideal for anyone with experience running busy B2B or corporate press office accounts.
While sector-specific experience isn't essential, we’re looking for someone to work across brands in real estate, financial services, professional services and food & drink, so any previous work here would be helpful.
You will be joining a vibrant team of corporate PR specialists to work across some of the UK's best-known and biggest brands.
Although this is a mainly corporate and B2B brief, there will also be elements of consumer PR and social media within some of our integrated programmes.
The team is focused on delivering the best results for our clients, tied to data, trends and cultural moments, as well as supporting each other to develop and deliver our best work.
You will play a key role in the day-to-day running of client accounts, supporting and guiding account teams and coming up with new ideas for how we can reach media differently, as well as acting as the main contact for senior clients.
A key element of this role will be leading media relations and we’d expect you to be confident in picking up the phone, as well as holding a number of existing relationships with trade, regional and national journalists.
Citypress is an entrepreneurial agency with a great culture that backs people to develop their careers and deliver their best work.
By joining Citypress you will become part of an employee-owned agency and directly benefit from our collective success.
- Role responsibilities
- Leading the day-to-day running of client programmes, ensuring deadlines and KPIs are met
- Managing busy press offices, handling media enquiries and securing proactive coverage
- Working with your wider teams to develop and deliver impactful work aligned to our clients’ strategic priorities
- Supporting and guiding account teams to deliver high-quality work
- Building and leading strong client relationships, attending regular meetings and providing well-structured updates
- Developing and maintaining strong media relationships across B2B, regional and national press
- Identifying media opportunities, developing creative story angles and responding quickly to newsjacking moments
- Producing high-quality content, reports and client updates
- Providing constructive feedback and comprehensive briefs to junior colleagues
- Managing budgets and tracking client resources efficiently
- Developing detailed knowledge and understanding of client businesses and their markets
- Contributing to new business pitches and strategic proposals
- Developing proficiency in AI and other agency tools
- Role requirements
- 5 years’ experience in a similar role, with a focus on B2B and corporate PR. Consumer PR experience is also helpful, but not essential
- Strong experience managing press office programmes
- Proven ability to manage client relationships and the day-to-day running of accounts
- Experience supporting or managing account teams
- Sector-specific experience helpful but not essential – real estate, financial services, professional services and food & drink
- Excellent verbal and written skills with strong attention to detail
- Strong organisational and workload management abilities
- Ability to think critically, creatively and to demonstrate good judgement
- A proactive mindset, flexibility and enthusiasm to deliver work of a consistently high standard
What we offer
- Performance bonus
- Annual tax-free share of profit payment
- We work flexibly, spending three days a week in the office to collaborate and connect, and the rest wherever you work best
- Generous holiday allowance with additional days accrued through length of service
- We offer enhanced family leave policies, with supported return to work programme
- Menopause and fertility policies and leave
- Paid Support leave
- Extensive learning and development programme
- Dedicated mentoring and coaching
- Healthcare plan, 24 hour GP service and employee assistance programme
- Access to independent financial advice
- Company mobile and laptop
- Interest-free loans
- Regular team away days and socials
If you need help with our application process, please contact recruitment@citypress. co. uk .
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Account Director in Manchester employer: Citypress
Citypress is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and flexible working environment in the heart of Manchester. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, we offer performance bonuses and extensive benefits that support both professional development and personal well-being, making it an ideal place for creative talents to thrive and lead impactful projects.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Account Director in Manchester
✨Get Involved in PR Events
Dive into local PR meetups and workshops. Events like these are perfect for getting your face out there, chatting with industry pros, and spotting potential job openings at companies like Citypress. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to learn about trends and make lasting connections.
✨Showcase Your PR Skills
Start building your personal brand as a PR ace. Use platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn to share your thoughts on current events or PR campaigns you admire. Tagging companies you want to work for, like Citypress, can catch their eye—especially if your insights resonate!
✨Leverage Your Network
Reach out to friends, family, or connections in the PR field. Even a casual chat can lead to opportunities. If you've got mutual contacts, ask for introductions when applying. Personal recommendations can give your application a nice little boost!
✨Tailor Your Approach
When applying for a full-time PR role, make sure to research Citypress inside and out. Understanding their campaigns, values, and style allows us to directly align our application and impress during interviews. Don't hesitate to apply through our website—going direct can make a real difference!
We think you need these skills to ace Account Director in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get Your Story Straight:In public relations, storytelling is everything! Make sure your CV highlights your experience in crafting compelling narratives and managing media relations. Share specific examples of campaigns you've worked on, and don’t forget to include any press coverage you've generated—it's impressive proof of your skills!
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since PR is all about communication, we want to see your best writing samples. Include pieces like press releases, blog posts, or social media content that you've created. This gives us a taste of your voice and your ability to convey messages clearly and effectively, which is crucial for a role in this field.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a recap of your CV; it’s your chance to shine! Emphasise why PR excites you and how your background fits with the mission of Citypress. Show us that you’ve done your homework and speak to why you’re passionate about the work we do.
Connect the Dots:When you’re writing your application, think about how your past experiences link to the responsibilities of the role. Mention any internships, volunteer work, or projects that involved public speaking, event planning, or strategic communication. This will help us see how you can seamlessly bring your skills into a full-time position at Citypress.
How to prepare for a job interview at Citypress
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
In public relations, storytelling is key. We should prepare compelling narratives about past campaigns or projects we’ve worked on. Think about how we can illustrate our impact and creativity in those stories—be ready to discuss specific examples that showcase our skills in managing media relationships and crafting messages.
✨Know Your PR Tools Inside Out
Familiarity with PR tools like Cision or Meltwater is crucial. We need to be able to discuss how we’ve used these tools in past roles or projects. If we've worked on media lists, press releases, or analytics reports, let’s have those experiences ready to share along with metrics we’ve achieved to back up our claims.
✨Stay Current with Industry Trends
We’ve got to stay sharp on the latest trends and events impacting the public relations field. Having a few insights ready about recent campaigns or shifts in media landscapes can show that we’re engaged and knowledgeable. This will also help us make connections between our experiences and the current state of the industry.
✨Showcase Our Versatility
As full-time PR professionals, we need to demonstrate our adaptability. Be ready to talk about how we've handled challenging situations, managed crises, or adapted strategies on the fly. Employers will appreciate our ability to pivot and find solutions under pressure, so let’s have those scenarios at our fingertips to discuss.
