Director/Senior Director, Reputation Advisory (Crisis, Issues, Strategic Media) in City of Westminster

MHP Group is the integrated communications agency built for the Networked Age – a world that’s increasingly connected, complex, polarised and activist. We lead the way in the application of behavioural science to solve communications challenges. We create strategies and multichannel campaigns to engage every audience, from consumer to policy maker, and from stakeholder to shareholder. With 230 experts in London, we are trusted by many of the world’s leading businesses and brands.

Role overview

We are looking for an outstanding individual to join our Brand & Reputation team as a Director or Senior Director, leading strategic advisory projects, providing counsel on complex issues and reputation management, helping to shape the wider team and drive the development of the business. The Brand & Reputation practice brings together corporate reputation and consumer brand specialists to create a uniquely integrated offer, aimed at organisations with complex stakeholder challenges. Our clients range from blue chips like Barclays, Coca-Cola, Sky, GoDaddy and E.ON to challenger businesses and brands like Innocent and Spotify and institutions like the V&A and World Book Day.

This opportunity will suit someone with strong experience advising senior clients on critical issues and longer-term reputational management, with a deep understanding of the challenges facing businesses operating under scrutiny. You will be highly proficient at advising across multiple channels and stakeholders, providing sophisticated counsel that spans traditional media and digital channels. The ideal candidate will have a good business media network and an advanced understanding of the UK media landscape. Crisis communications experience is a requirement for this role, ideally across both crisis response and preparatory work, including simulations and training. You will be collaborative and motivated to work with an ambitious team to further develop our corporate advisory and crisis communications offer. Marketing and new business are a core part of this role, and you will have experience nurturing and converting opportunities and a proven track record of winning new clients and driving business development.

Key responsibilities

• Develop communications plans that build and preserve stakeholder confidence in organisations and their leaders.
• Lead integrated client teams to deliver these plans, taking on leadership, operational and coaching responsibilities across the wider agency.
• Provide sophisticated counsel to senior clients on urgent issues and complex communications challenges.
• Instil best practice client management across the team; take responsibility for building relationships with senior client contacts.
• Identify and respond to opportunities for organic growth across client base.
• Responsible for growing existing and winning new business, leading on pitches, and networking for leads.
• Act as an integral part of the client’s strategic advisory team providing senior counsel and strategic guidance across a range of accounts.
• Generate new business opportunities and increase organic revenue opportunities.
• Undertake responsibilities as a senior member of the Brand & Reputation team, including line management, supporting training and development, marketing and helping shape the strategic direction of the practice.

What we expect from you

• Have a proven track record at Director level or equivalent.
• Have the confidence and gravitas to advise senior clients and business leaders on complex challenges.
• Have the ability to lead accounts, overseeing teams delivering project and retainer work.
• Have crisis communications experience – both preparing clients to manage emerging issues and advising them during an incident.
• Be ambitious: genuinely excited to work with the team to continue to evolve the corporate and crisis communications offer.
• Have a deep understanding of the UK business media landscape.
• Be highly organised: this person will be relied upon to run busy, integrated accounts and ensure the team are delivering effectively and efficiently.
• Be a team player: great interpersonal skills, and someone who brings a sense of fun to their work.

And in return, we offer

• Excellent starting salary with annual reviews.
• 25 days holiday allowance (+ bank holidays), a day off to celebrate your birthday, ‘Time4U’ every month and office Christmas closure.
• Matched pension contributions (up to 5%).
• Life Assurance.
• Private Medical Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Season ticket loans and Cycle to work scheme.
• Gym & Shopping discounts.
• Access to our Learning Academy to support your career and personal growth.
• Hybrid (up to 2 days remote working per week).
• ‘Work from Anywhere’ one week per year.

Here at MHP Group, we are committed to creating an inclusive and a diverse workforce.