Account Manager, Public Affairs in London

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 190 experts in London, we are trusted by many of the world’s leading businesses and brands. Our specialist teams include Brand & Reputation, Corporate Advisory & Capital Markets, Public Affairs, Strategic Media, Crisis & Risk, Change & Employee Engagement, Health, Financial Services, Technology, Mischief and Studio La Plage.

We are looking for an outstanding Account Manager to join our Public Affairs team which is fast paced and focused on ambitious growth. Ideally, this person will be experienced in being part of campaigns which give national profile to organisations, in a way that positively impacts perceptions among political and policy-orientated audiences. We’re less concerned about where a candidate has gained their experience or which sectors their clients might have been acquired in, but an agency background is preferred. What they must bring is tenacity, enthusiasm, curiosity, commitment and insight to their work.

MHP’s Public Affairs practice provides the very best in innovative, impactful public policy campaigns, counsel and strategy. We support clients right across the agency in finding new opportunities to drive commercial value, whilst strengthening resilience to political and regulatory shock.

As an Account Manager at MHP Group, you will:

• Have client contact: Confidence and gravitas to lead on projects, have an opinion and liaise with key stakeholders and clients
• Lead on day-to-day account co-ordination and work flow, including reviewing (and developing as required) status reports, action planners and meeting agendas
• Manage and mentor junior team members, providing on the job training
• Have client understanding: developing a highly competent understanding of clients’ strategic business interests, products and services
• Write and review letters, reports, policy and meetings briefings, as well as drafting articles, blog and social media posts
• Provide timely and insightful monitoring of political events and proceedings in parliament, as well as administrative support for client meetings, events and activations
• Grow and maintain a strong personal network of political and policy stakeholders, helping to inform impactful stakeholder mapping
• Assist senior colleagues in fulfilling their responsibilities to keep accounts on track and within budget, including liaising with and managing some supplier relationships
• Assist with new business pitches and playing an active role in business development including participating in pitches themselves, research and proposal writing
• Be a key part of the MHP team supporting our own marketing and internal events

You will:

• Be a strong Public Affairs Account Manager with at least 2-3 years of political experience, either in Public Affairs or Parliament. We’re also open to established Senior Account Executives who are ready for promotion
• Be highly organised and self-starter: this person will be relied upon to help ensure MHP accounts are run efficiently and deliver client needs at pace and proactively with excellence
• Be an established network of political contacts, for example through volunteering for a political party. We’re particularly interested in candidates with experience working with the Labour Party
• Be tenacious and passionate about UK politics, government and public affairs, capable of communicating and explaining issues with sensitivity and insight and with a strong understanding of the UK’s domestic policy-making architecture
• Have experience working for and engaging with corporate brands, political parties, public sector organisations or other charitable or professional bodies is all welcome – experience of working with or in an agency is particularly welcome
• Be a strong writer: skilled at drafting and reviewing briefing papers, policy analysis and stakeholder insights, as well as assisting with client and new business proposals
• Be a team player: great interpersonal skills, and someone who brings a sense of fun to their work and adds to the positive culture of the team and the agency as a whole
• Have great time management and ability to multi-task, managing upwards as well as more junior team members

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.