Senior Account Director – Consumer PR in Manchester

We are growing our consumer specialism and have an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and creative Senior Account Director to join the team. This is a leadership role providing trusted strategic counsel and driving exceptional client programmes across a portfolio. The role is ideal for those with experience of leading fast-paced creative consumer press office programmes and brand campaigns. We’re particularly interested in meeting candidates that have experience working on campaigns that involve experiential, events, stunts, talent management and content production.

You will be joining a dynamic team of consumer PR specialists to work across some of the UK's best-known brands, delivering everything from high-impact product launches to always-on press office programmes. The team shares an enthusiasm for brilliant creative ideas, cultural insight and staying ahead of media trends, as well as supporting each other to be the best possible consultants.

You will play a key role in the leadership of high profile client accounts, supporting and guiding account teams, and helping to bring exciting campaigns to life. A key element of this role will be leading media relations – ideally you’ll have a little black book of contacts across national, consumer and social-first publishers and will have a bank of stellar coverage to show for it.

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.

• Acts as a senior client lead and strategic advisor, delivering high-level counsel across a portfolio of major clients.
• Leads the development of new programmes and campaign strategies, using research to drive innovative solutions, with high standards of quality control over execution.
• Builds and strengthens a broad network of senior client relationships, fostering long-term partnerships.
• Oversees creative facilitation and media strategies, ensuring brand-defining work that drives programme innovation.
• Having a hands‑on approach to media engagement, with the ability to successfully pitch media stories and build quality media relationships.
• Developing proficiency in AI and other agency tools.
• Leads, empowers, and develops high-performing teams, ensuring strong leadership at all levels.
• Delivers year‑on‑year revenue growth, driving business expansion and innovation.
• Originates and leads new business opportunities, helping to manage major pitch responses and securing high‑value accounts.
• Introduces AI and other technology solutions to increase efficiency and effectiveness of client programmes.

• Minimum 5-6 years’ experience in a similar role, with a focus on consumer PR.
• Strong experience delivering consumer campaigns and leading press office programmes, including media engagement.
• Proven ability to manage client relationships.
• Experience supporting or managing account teams.
• Sector‑specific experience helpful but not essential – we work across lifestyle, retail, FMCG, travel and related consumer sectors.
• 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.

• 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.