PR Senior Account Executive

Our Brands team at Sauce Communications are seeking a Senior Account Executive to join their team on a permanent basis. The brands team look after key brands such as Woodford Reserve, Eataly, Diplomatico and Pasta Evangelists and this is an amazing opportunity to take the lead on media relations and client services for these and similar accounts.

We have a wonderful flexible hybrid working pattern, operating from our Shephards Bush office Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday with work from home Monday and Friday. We’re seeking a member to join our team with good people skills, strong writing ability and a keen interest in and understanding of the media landscape, including digital and social.

Senior Account Executives are a crucial part of the client account teams, driving coverage to meet KPIs, inputting into weekly and monthly client activity reports, updating media lists, staying abreast of key journalists, influencers and working collaboratively with their respective account teams and fellow executives. They may also be managing interns and work experience team members. At Senior Exec level they will also be attending client meetings, independently meeting with journalists and starting to take on a wider responsibility and more accountability.

Accountabilities

• Agency Business
  • Understand and meet guidelines on best business practices including office administration duties, daily timesheets, timely expense reports etc.
  • Support PR Assistant and work experience members on office administration duties.
  • Participate in professional learning and training opportunities for personal continued growth.
  • Support research and media audits for new business proposals, attend meetings and pitches.
  • Maintain and build industry knowledge to gain familiarity with movers & shakers in business and media.
  • Act as an ambassador to Sauce - both internally and externally.
• Client Service
  • Support and maintain day-to-day client relationships - in conjunction with Account Managers - and actively support client satisfaction levels.
  • Maintain regular phone or written contact to keep key clients appraised of work progress, and work with account team to assess PR results against client expectations.
  • Write press releases, social media posts, media invitations, etc pertinent to clients' business - understanding specific styles and requirements.
  • Read key publications daily. Share findings and implications for the business with your client, team or broader agency.
  • Have active understanding and awareness of industry and sector issues, technology and products, in order to build knowledge around clients' business and media.
• Media Relations
  • Serve as day-to-day contact with media and influencers on clients' behalf.
  • Build and manage media lists for all announcements / events / campaigns.
  • Research, understand and anticipate media interests, needs and preferences, building relationships with journalists and influencers.
  • Proactively place news and stories with target media relevant to client products and services - working to deliver coverage to meet KPIs.
  • Attend media meetings and networking events to further build contacts and beneficial relationships.
• Digital Skills
  • Ensure clear understanding of digital and social media opportunities.
  • Identification of appropriate digital channels and techniques to support client needs.
• People Management
  • Coach, mentor and motivate JAE and PR assistants.
• Internal Company Responsibilities
  • Delivery and management of company responsibilities - to be advised per team member.

Competencies

• Positive and ambitious team player.
• Understanding of and contacts within target media and influencer landscape.
• Confident communicator & relationship builder and owner - internal and external.
• Strong writing skills - releases, day to day communications with clients and media.
• Organized and methodical - managing own time and meeting deadlines.
• Results orientation and understanding of overall aims and specific KPIs.

Personal Skills

• Highly motivated, ambitious, flexible and conscientious.
• Personable, diplomatic and confident communicator.
• Act as ambassador for Sauce, embracing our mission, vision and values.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree level qualification, or equivalent.
• Previous Public Relations or similar industry experience.
• Active digital and social media prowess.
• An active interest in Sauce client sectors - restaurants, food, drink & travel.