Account Director/ Senior Account Director (depending on experience) in Leeds

Following a period of strong growth, we are seeking an experienced and well‑connected individual to join us, based in our Leeds office. This senior role will be key to delivering and expanding our integrated communications, consultation and engagement offering across the North of England and nationally. With experience of providing integrated communications and marketing support in either an agency or in‑house role, the ideal candidate will also play a significant role in growing our Leeds office, with a strong focus on winning new work from public and private sector clients.

You will play a pivotal role in shaping office‑level growth strategies, building and strengthening senior client relationships, and positioning Social as a trusted partner in the property, regeneration, and place‑making sectors. Managing several large‑scale accounts, you will provide strategic counsel to clients, oversee high‑profile campaigns, and ensure delivery of communications programmes that integrate PR, digital, stakeholder engagement, and consultation. With a strong understanding of local government, devolution, and evolving national planning and infrastructure policy, you will help clients navigate challenges and opportunities, ensuring their projects deliver genuine impact for local places and economies.

• Provide senior leadership on key client accounts, delivering integrated communications, public consultation, and engagement solutions to meet client objectives.
• Establish and proactively manage senior client relationships, acting as a trusted advisor and providing strategic counsel.
• Develop and execute integrated communications and consultation campaigns, combining PR, digital, stakeholder engagement, and policy insight.
• Provide expert advice on community engagement, stakeholder management, and policy implications for development and regeneration projects.
• Build and maintain strong networks with local and combined authorities, developers, infrastructure bodies, housebuilders and other key stakeholders in Yorkshire’s regeneration and place‑making landscape.
• Monitor and interpret policy changes, advising clients on their impact and shaping effective communication strategies in response.
• Represent Social at industry events, contributing to thought leadership and raising the agency’s profile in target sectors.
• Lead, manage, and inspire account teams and direct line reports, overseeing training, development, and retention of staff.
• Take a leadership role in business development within the Leeds office, helping deliver new opportunities and grow existing accounts.
• Support the growth and development of the Leeds office as part of the office senior management team.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Significant experience of delivering integrated communications, consultation, and engagement projects in the property, regeneration, place‑making or infrastructure sectors.
• Strong industry networks, with established relationships across local government, combined authorities, housing, infrastructure providers, and other key stakeholders.
• Deep understanding of local government, devolution, regulatory changes, and evolving national policy.
• Proven track record of leading successful communications and marketing campaigns and advising senior clients, underpinned by exceptional project management skills.
• Strategic mindset with commercial awareness, business development experience, and motivation to contribute to agency growth.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence at all levels.
• Outstanding team‑player capabilities with experience of managing and motivating teams to deliver results.
• Strong writing skills, with the ability to produce bespoke content for different audiences and media.
• Solid understanding of digital and social media, and how to integrate these channels alongside traditional PR.
• Strong understanding of measuring and reporting the impact of communications and engagement activity.
• Passion for making a difference to communities and places.
• Experience in real estate, regeneration, place‑making, and/or public sector PR.
• Strong journalist relationships and a deep understanding of the target media landscape.
• Understanding of the Yorkshire political and stakeholder landscape.

We are proud to be a certified Great Place to Work® and offer all colleagues a number of benefits to support their work and home lives.

• Competitive salary and transparent salary bands
• Commitment to super flexible and remote working
• 30 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata)
• 5 days paid volunteering leave each year
• Learning and development programme
• Access to a medical cash plan, employee assistance programme and health/wellness apps
• Enhanced sickness, compassionate, maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Regular team socials
• Access to discretionary company bonus scheme
• Statutory pension scheme
• Provision of home working equipment (including desk and chair) and IT kit (including laptop and mobile phone)