PR Account Director: Energy / Corporate (Contract)

Our client is an award winning, growing integrated PR & communications agency which makes brands more meaningful. They specialise in energy / renewable energy and deliver a range of communications services including stakeholder relations, PR and media relations, campaigns and social media. They are leaders in the renewable energy world with many accolades and awards in this area.

A UK wide agency, we’re looking for a Scotland based PR professional to complement the team. There are 2 opportunities - one permanent Account Director and also a 6 month contract Account Director (contract to start immediately).

You’ll be joining a hugely professional, successful, leading PR agency with benefits including private healthcare, training allowance and regular socials.

Day to day:

- Strategic direction and oversight of delivery for your renewable energy clients’ projects. 

- You will lead the execution of corporate communications programmes as well as stakeholder relations for consultation projects, quality controlling all areas of agency outputs, as well as client relationships.

- To fully understand the role of PR in a client’s marketing mix and be fully versed in other marketing disciplines, as used by the client.

Skill Requirements

Written Work

• Fully capable of writing all day-to-day material for client including press releases, features, statements, Q&A’s, speeches, presentations

• Writing materials for client that are at a level that may be of a key or highly sensitive nature, dealing with senior or board level clients

• Having final say on the amendment and quality of press releases, internal copy for newsletters etc. produced by junior members of the team

• Develop, structure and write creative new business proposals with minimal input from the managing director

Media Skills

• An ability to add value to the media planning and approach process in both the new

business/strategic planning stages and the on-going execution of media, and social media, campaigns

• Develop relationships with key journalists and influencers

• Oversee the management and organisation of events including stakeholder consultation events, workshops, photo calls, press conferences, round days, media training, training days etc. on behalf of clients

• Negotiate major media promotions and advertorials

• Alert your clients to PR risk or opportunities, including those presented by broader areas of corporate responsibility e.g.: employment practices, health and safety at work

• Select and develop sponsorships including planning, contractual agreements and activity organisation

• Give high level advice on strategic issues and media handling issues including crisis

management

Meetings

• To provide a senior and qualified presence in meetings, and to lead these at the appropriate client level

• To take the major role in important presentations to existing clients and at new business pitches

General Skills

• A strong understanding and knowledge of the renewable energy industry OR infrastructure (e.g. transport / building projects / civil engineering initiatives 

• Demonstrate creative and strategic abilities

• Play a major role in securing new business for the company, from initial research through to approaching targets, plus preparing and presenting proposals and being the main contact for new business leads

• Lead new business brainstorms and have a creative input in all new business pitches within account group

• Head the team, motivating, improving quality and dealing with team problems

• Implement and supervise progress of PR programmes

• Ensure all company (and industry) systems and best practice are adhered to

• Have a full understanding of all budgeting procedures and have complete financial control on all clients, projects etc.

• Ensure profitability of your team and minimise over servicing

- Maximise budgets from current clients and secure new business in order to drive team and business profitability and growth

• Be responsible for the efficient running of your team, have a clear understanding of your team’s capabilities and use the teams time effectively

• Take responsibility for all invoicing of client activities

• Use relevant business contacts to ‘add value’ to client programmes

• Understand the company business, its competitors, internal relationships

• Play a role in the business, its systems and organisation

• Represent your company at industry forums, conferences and seminars

• Play a role in the growth and profitability of the business as a whole

• A solid understanding and knowledge of the communications and PR sector

• Have a full, clean driving licence and be able to travel to client events as required

To be considered for this role, you must have:

- Qualifications required: A good academic record - degree in PR/Marketing along with

PR qualifications/training

- Experience 2 – 3 years’ experience in a Senior Account Manager role or 1 year’s experience minimum at Account Director level 

- Experience delivering PR within the renewables / energy / infrastructure / civil engineering sector (Corporate)

- Knowledge • A fully rounded PR operator who has a thorough understanding of

the media and communication skills needed, and the business skills to grow their accounts within the context and plans of the agency.

• Proficient in Word, Excel & PowerPoint & other Microsoft

Applications.

• Proficient in media database management and management of financial systems for team accounting purposes.

• A strong understanding of the media landscape & activities of

other marketing disciplines as used by the clients.

• Proven and effective client relationships, quality controlling all aspects of client programmes.

Personal attributes should include: 

• Genuine enthusiasm for PR and communications

• Excellent Time keeping and time management

• Completes personal goals (agreed with line manager)

Attitude • Be passionate about your work and encourage passion in others

• Demonstrates integrity

• Develop strategies and activities for clients

• Be inspirational – keep up to date with new ideas and trends

• Have the courage to suggest ideas

• Work creatively and inspires others to do the same

• Be ambitious with your ideas

• Show flexibility with your colleagues and clients

• Enjoy your work and have a great sense of humour 

Salary to £44,000 + fantastic benefits. 

FURTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Gilchrist Recruitment Partnership are a specialist recruitment agency and recruiting partner within the Marketing, Digital communications/PR, Creative & Design and Advertising industry for Scotland, both agency and client side.

When submitting your application, please outline your current salary, salary expectations and notice period. It is also essential that you are already legally permitted to work in the UK with the associated paperwork if you are not a UK citizen.

If you are not currently living in Scotland, please explain/outline your plans and timelines for relocation to Scotland. We are a Scottish based recruiter who generally do not represent “remote” opportunities - thus you will be either living in Scotland or have solid plans to relocate.

We cannot guarantee a response to each individual application, made necessary by the level of response we receive. We will contact only those candidates we wish to shortlist. Apologies in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.

We aim to be an equal opportunities employer and are committed to ensuring that no applicant receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status or race.

Unless clearly stated otherwise, the advertised position is a permanent contract.