At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead client accounts, provide strategic advice, and manage junior colleagues in a dynamic PR environment.
- Company: Join Hanover, a leading corporate communications firm with a focus on career development and client success.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, private healthcare, generous leave, and a vibrant social culture.
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive team that values growth, creativity, and impactful client relationships.
- Qualifications: Expertise in UK media, crisis management, and strong organisational skills are essential.
- Other info: Opportunities for international collaboration and personal development through tailored training.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Hanover is looking for a dynamic and experienced PR professional to join our Corporate team as an Account Director. The successful candidate will be a senior member of our corporate communications practice and will provide strategic advice to Hanover’s existing public relations clients. Day to day, the Account Director will lead client accounts, manage junior colleagues and budgets as well as making a significant contribution to new business and marketing activity. We’re particularly keen to hear from candidates with an interest or experience providing corporate support for large, consumer facing brands, issues and crisis management expertise and new business activity. We believe very strongly in career development at Hanover, offering tailored training to all our staff and regular opportunities for promotion. For the right candidate, with talent and ambition, there is the opportunity to go to the top. The position will be based at our London office but the successful candidate may have the opportunity to work on clients we share with colleagues in our Brussels, Dublin and Middle East offices.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop close client relationships, lead external client meetings and be the first point of contact across client accounts
- Provide strategic advice to clients and prospective clients
- Oversee and lead media contact programmes, attend and support meetings between clients and any media
- Develop high quality media contacts within key media targets
- Demonstrate an active and ever-expanding new business network, identify opportunities to cross-sell services between Hanover teams and offices
- Project manage activities focused on new business development, including marketing and managing pipelines
- Supervise the delivery of client work on multiple accounts – by running internal account management meetings, reviewing team progress against agreed milestones, monitoring capacity and allocating tasks
- Line managing junior colleagues, helping to mentor and develop talent from within the team
PERSON SPECIFICATION
- Expert knowledge and experience of working in UK media environments
- Prior experience within a consultancy or in-house PR/communications team, preferably with some corpsumer experience
- Strong experience in advising clients in crisis situations and managing potentially negative issues
- Good understanding of UK PR industry with strong media contacts (particularly on national titles and with broadcasters)
- Strong understanding and experience of budgeting, managing pipelines and developing new business
- Experience in line management and developing talent
- Effective time management and ability to meet deadlines, strong organisational skills
- Excellent verbal and creative writing skills
- Very strong team-working, collaboration and interpersonal skills
- Demonstration of strong client relationships, industry contacts and new business growth
Benefits:
- An annual performance-related bonus plus additional bonus potential linked to recruitment, new business and long service
- 25 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays)
- Private healthcare insurance
- A company pension plan, including 5% employer contribution
- Flexible working policies, plus eligibility to apply for a sabbatical after 2 years’ service
- Summer Fridays finish (3pm) – early Friday finish the rest of the year (4pm)
- The Hanover Academy, which incorporates training, coaching, mentoring and reverse-mentoring opportunities to support personal development and career progression across all levels, with a generous training budget
- International secondments as well as the opportunity to collaborate with all offices across the AVENIR GLOBAL’s network
- A wellbeing programme, featuring (but not limited to) pre- and post-maternity leave coaching, a working parents’ group, subsidised gym membership, LiveSmart sessions on mindfulness, sleep, etc.
- Our Culture Club, with a robust social calendar all year round, Trailblazer of the Month award, Lunch & Learns, CSR activity, and an opportunity to win an Out of Office activity fund
Account Director | Corporate Communications | London employer: Hanover
Contact Detail:
Hanover Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Account Director | Corporate Communications | London
✨Tip Number 1
Network actively within the PR industry, especially with professionals who have experience in corporate communications. Attend industry events and engage on platforms like LinkedIn to connect with potential colleagues or clients.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with Hanover's existing client base and recent projects. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your understanding of their needs and how you can contribute to their success during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your crisis management skills by preparing case studies of past experiences where you've successfully navigated challenging situations. Be ready to discuss these examples in detail during your conversations with us.
✨Tip Number 4
Highlight your ability to manage budgets and develop new business strategies. Prepare to discuss specific instances where you've successfully increased revenue or improved client relationships through innovative approaches.
We think you need these skills to ace Account Director | Corporate Communications | London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in corporate communications and PR. Focus on your achievements in managing client accounts, crisis situations, and new business development.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your strategic thinking and ability to build client relationships. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully managed media contacts and led teams.
Showcase Your Media Knowledge: Demonstrate your understanding of the UK media landscape in your application. Highlight any strong media contacts you have and your experience with national titles and broadcasters.
Highlight Leadership Skills: Emphasise your experience in line management and mentoring junior colleagues. Provide examples of how you've developed talent within your team and contributed to a positive work environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hanover
✨Know Your Clients
Before the interview, research Hanover's existing clients and their industries. Be prepared to discuss how you would approach client relationships and provide strategic advice tailored to their needs.
✨Showcase Crisis Management Skills
Given the emphasis on crisis management in the job description, prepare examples from your past experience where you've successfully navigated challenging situations for clients. Highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure.
✨Demonstrate Team Leadership
As an Account Director, you'll be managing junior colleagues. Share your experiences in mentoring and developing talent within a team. Discuss your leadership style and how you foster collaboration and growth among team members.
✨Highlight Media Connections
The role requires strong media contacts, so come prepared with insights into your existing media relationships. Discuss how these connections can benefit Hanover and its clients, particularly in securing coverage in key national titles and with broadcasters.