PR Account Director

PLMR is looking for an Account Director to join our East of England team, PLMR Genesis, based in our office in the heart of Ipswich at an exciting time in our growth journey. This is a fantastic opportunity to take on a leadership role at an award-winning communications firm and work with some of the region’s and UK’s most well-known brands. We are keen to hear from experienced communication professionals with a demonstrable track record of leading and motivating client teams to deliver the outstanding work we are known for, creating and delivering effective communications strategies and nurturing client relationships.

You will also lead on PLMR Genesis’ own marketing strategy to generate new business opportunities and win competitive tenders as part of our ambitious growth plans. We are looking for a strong grounding in a range of communications disciplines – including PR and media relations, reputation and crisis management, stakeholder relations, brand and messaging, event management, social media and marketing – and team management, preferably with agency experience. You will have a commercial head to budget, manage time and draft new business proposals. You will work directly with the Managing Director to support the management and growth of the business. This will require effective decision-making and interpersonal skills. You will be working with clients across the professional services, energy, education and healthcare sectors and collaborating with colleagues in our different practice areas.

If you’re looking to take on a leading role at one of the region’s biggest communication firms, work with businesses to achieve their goals and be part of an experienced team of PR professionals with fantastic career growth opportunities – this is the role for you!

We will offer you access to additional benefits, which includes (but is not limited to):

• Vitality Healthcare Scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Eye Test Voucher
• Sports Leagues
• Enhanced Pension
• Working in our new Ipswich office in the heart of the town

Key Responsibilities and Duties:

• Creating and implementing bespoke communication strategies for clients encompassing public relations, media relations, corporate communications, reputation management, event management and social media for PLMR’s East of England client base.
• Effectively leading client accounts and providing strategic consultancy, building strong relationships with clients, key stakeholders and media contacts.
• Leading on the development of new business proposals, including generating creative and impactful campaign ideas and pitching.
• Regularly attending and networking at events in Ipswich and the region to engage with local businesses.
• Managing and motivating teams across multiple client accounts.
• Line managing and supporting the professional development of other team members through the delivery of six monthly appraisals and monthly 121s.
• Proactively monitoring developments in the media and region, assessing how this impacts existing clients and advising accordingly.
• Providing strategic advice on local and national political developments.
• Drafting and distributing press releases, editorials and other client-ready communications.
• Liaising with broadcast media and writing interview briefs for clients.
• Attending client PR meetings and writing up meeting reports.

Key Skills and Competencies:

• 5+ years’ experience working in PR and media relations, including in an agency role.
• A track record of leading and growing client accounts through the delivery of creative PR strategies and effective client and team management.
• Demonstrable experience of identifying and winning new clients through impactful marketing activities, the creation of engaging proposal documents and pitching.
• People management experience, both as a line manager and client team leader, and a strong communicator who can motivate and lead a team to success.
• A comprehensive understanding of consultancy – you can manage forecasts and budgets in line with our growth plan and develop and implement our marketing strategy.
• You can work self-reliantly and as part of a team, be proactive, anticipate issues, generate creative ideas, write impactful content, create accurate client-ready documents, effectively manage your time across multiple clients/tasks and work to deadlines.
• Experience in the professional services, energy, education and healthcare sectors.
• Excellent communication, presentation and new business pitching skills.

Please submit a CV and Cover Letter, outlining why you’d be a good fit for this role, to support your application.

At PLMR we are committed to reflecting and representing the diversity of the UK and to equal opportunities in employment. The policies and practices of the agency aim to promote an environment that is free from all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination and values the diversity and inclusion of all people. At the heart of our policy, we seek to treat people fairly and with dignity and respect. We therefore encourage and welcome applications from people with a diverse variety of backgrounds; age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality, social background, religion and/or belief.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the application process, please let us know.