At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead client relationships and drive new business in a creative PR agency.
- Company: Join FINN Partners, a top consumer PR agency in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous time off, wellness programmes, and competitive salary.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace welcoming diverse candidates.
- Why this job: Shape the future of consumer PR with your creative vision and leadership.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in creative and communications, with a strong portfolio.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 78000 £ per year.
The Role
Lead client relationships, drive new business and set a creative standard that wins industry recognition and unlocks new briefs.
The mission is to make FINN Partners one of the most creatively exciting consumer PR agencies in the UK.
- Primary Responsibilities
- Grow the Practice
- Develop and grow senior level client relationships across lifestyle sectors.
- Personally lead and drive new business activity, from prospecting and credentials through to pitch and close.
- Counsel and build relationships with peers in industry and with other FP practice areas.
- Maintain and grow existing client business, and manage profitability and financial aspects of accounts.
- Represent FINN Partners at industry events, trade bodies and sector networks to build profile and generate leads.
- Play an active role in talent identification and recruitment for the practice.
- Provide Creative Leadership
- Lead creative concepting across the Consumer & Lifestyle practice, developing campaign ideas from a blank page, not just executing client briefs.
- Serve as the creative lead in new business pitches, developing and presenting original creative platforms to prospective clients at CMO and board level.
- Serve as senior counsel on large, complex briefs including product launches, brand repositioning, cultural moments and always‑on programmes.
- Mentor and develop the creative instincts of the wider Consumer & Lifestyle team, building a culture where original ideas are expected at every level.
- Drive Team Development
- Lead and mentor direct reports, and provide guidance for their own management of their own direct reports.
- Identify staff development needs and opportunities for team training.
- Create a culture of ambition, initiative and collaboration within the Consumer & Lifestyle team.
- Work in close collaboration with FINN Luxe, FINN Travel and international FINN offices – sharing resource, intelligence and opportunities across practices.
- Organisational Associations
- Reports to
- : Senior Partner, Consumer & Lifestyle
- Direct reports
: Primarily VPs and SVPs. Must supervise VP, Associate VP, Account Supervisor and other staff as needed.
Skills Required
- Must be able to network with potential clients and develop new business leads.
- Must be able to generate profitability, budget programmes and manage client finances.
- Must motivate, lead and develop others.
- Must have a demonstrable track record of originating campaign ideas that have been entered for, shortlisted at, or won industry creative awards.
- Fluency across the creative toolkit: copywriting, art direction, experiential concepting, social‑first ideas, video and content.
- Understanding of what makes earned media work: news hooks, cultural moments, journalist and editor psychology, combined with the creative ambition to exploit those mechanisms at the highest level.
- Experience working in or alongside advertising, integrated or creative agencies, in addition to PR.
- Deep sector knowledge across at least two of: F&B, Beauty, Fashion, Retail, Sports with existing relationships at brand and marketing director level.
- Additional language skills are a significant advantage given FINN’s global footprint.
- Core Competencies
- Entrepreneurial spirit, creativity and passion.
- Honesty, integrity and trustworthiness.
- Strategic and creative problem solving.
- Staff leadership and development.
- New business development and presentation.
- Cross‑practice and cross‑cultural collaboration.
- Recommended Background
- 10‑12+ years of professional experience spanning both creative and communications disciplines, including time inside an integrated or creative agency.
- Comprehensive understanding of the UK consumer brands market and of public relations.
- A strong creative portfolio or body of award‑entered work that can be presented at interview.
- Familiarity with how leading independent creative consumer PR agencies develop and sell in creative ideas.
- Proven track record at Account Director, Group Director or Partner level at a UK communications or creative agency.
- Demonstrable new business success: personally won and converted significant briefs.
- Experience managing a team of 8 or more across multiple seniority levels.
- Experience working on international or multi‑market briefs; familiarity with global agency network structures is a plus.
- £65,000+ commensurate with experience.
- Benefits include generous time off, wellness and professional development programmes, above‑average employer pension contributions, medical & dental insurance and life assurance.
- Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Statement
We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.
We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion, or belief.
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Senior Director in London employer: FINN Partners UK
FINN Partners is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that champions creativity and collaboration within the Consumer & Lifestyle practice. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide extensive professional development programmes, generous time off, and competitive benefits, ensuring our team members thrive both personally and professionally. Located in the heart of the UK, we foster an inclusive environment where diverse talents are celebrated, making it an exciting place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the PR industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Director in London
✨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 FINN Partners UK. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to learn about trends and make lasting connections.
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Director in London
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 FINN Partners UK. 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 FINN Partners UK.
How to prepare for a job interview at FINN Partners UK
✨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.