At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead creative campaigns and build strong client relationships in the Consumer & Lifestyle sector.
- Company: Join FINN Partners, a fast-growing global agency with a heart and a conscience.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous time off, wellness programmes, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for growth and mentorship in a dynamic team.
- Why this job: Be the creative engine driving innovative PR strategies for top lifestyle brands.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in creative and communications, with a proven track record in award-winning campaigns.
The predicted salary is between 67500 - 80000 £ per year.
Who we are
FINN Partners is one of the fastest-growing global, independent agencies, with a heart and a conscience.
With our HQ in New York and European HQ in London, we are one of Provoke’s Best EMEA networks to work for, counting 250+ colleagues across PR, digital, creative and intelligence (and 1,400 globally).
In London, our offices in Old Street are host to teams specialised in travel, consumer & lifestyle, corporate, technology, and healthcare.
Our Consumer & Lifestyle team currently serves category-leading brands across F&B, High-Street, Beauty and Entertainment, including world-renowned food and drink brands, global betting and gaming clients, men’s lifestyle and fashion retailers, and more.
Our travel team represents numerous tourism boards, hotels and airlines, for which our work and teams regularly cross over.
Our Team: Consumer & Lifestyle
We are a team of 13 dynamic, creative and warm-hearted PR professionals.
The team is newly-led by Senior Partner Gregory Cole, who joined FINN Partners in 2024 to establish FINN Luxe, our dedicated luxury offering.
Gregory has 16 years of experience working on PR, social and reputation mandates with global brands and groups across Asia-Pacific and Europe, including Macy’s, MAC Cosmetics, Pan Pacific London, Longines, Lamborghini, L’Oréal Group, Emirates Airline, Michelin Guide, Marriott International, Kering, Chow Tai Fook and more.
We relish a challenging brief and applying our strategic mindset to new sectors, and there is scope to grow clients across lifestyle sectors including consumer goods, F&B, entertainment, fashion, beauty, wellness, sports, culture and more.
We channel our curiosity into creative ideas that capture attention, build brand love and deliver business results.
With award-winning client work in brand campaigns, product PR, influencer relations and thought leadership, our ambition is to grow our creative firepower and work with global household brands in the UK and globally in tandem with our 40+ offices around the world.
The Role
This is a role for someone who wants to build something.
You will lead client relationships, drive new business and, critically, 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.
We are looking for someone whose instinct is to solve a brief with an original idea, and who understands how to make that idea work in earned media, culture and PR as well as broader marketing.
Someone who can set and maintain a high creative standard across all Lifestyle practice output – campaigns, activations, partnerships, stunts and content.
The Partner will champion ideas that can be entered into industry awards – PRWeek, PRmoment, Cannes PR Lions, D&A – and build the agency's creative reputation externally.
In short, the Partner will be the creative and strategic engine of the Consumer practice, unlocking opportunities to work on high-profile, high-impact mandates across consumer sectors.
- 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 FINN 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.
The Partner may supervise Vice Presidents, Associate Vice Presidents, Account Supervisors, Senior Account Executives, Account Executives, Assistant Account Executives and other staff members, as needed.
A Partner contributes to the professional development of his/her staff.
Skills Required
- Demonstrated ability to network with potential clients and develop new business leads.
- Ability to generate profitability, budget programmes and manage client finances.
- Ability to motivate, lead and develop others.
- Demonstrable track record of originating campaign ideas that have been entered for, shortlisted at, or won industry creative awards – PRWeek, PRmoment, Cannes PR Lions, D&A or equivalent.
- 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 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, either through training in advertising or design, significant time inside an integrated or creative agency, or a career that has demonstrably bridged both worlds.
- 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, and the ambition to compete with and surpass them.
- 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, not solely supported pitches.
- 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 a plus.
Compensation & Benefits
- £67,500+ commensurate with experience.
- FINN Partners offers a suite of employee benefits including generous time off, wellness and professional development programmes, and above‑average employer pension contributions, medical & dental insurance and life assurance, to name just a few.
- 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 (Partner), Consumer & Lifestyle in London employer: Finnpartners
At Finnpartners, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values collaboration and innovation within our dynamic UK team. Our inclusive work culture fosters professional growth, offering ample opportunities for development alongside competitive benefits such as 25 days of holiday, comprehensive insurance, and a robust pension scheme, making it a rewarding place to build your career in talent acquisition.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Director (Partner), Consumer & Lifestyle 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 Finnpartners. 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 Finnpartners, 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 Finnpartners 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 Senior Director (Partner), Consumer & Lifestyle 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 Finnpartners. 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 Finnpartners.
How to prepare for a job interview at Finnpartners
✨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.
