PR Account Manager

Who is Weber Shandwick? 

We create cultural value and help brands navigate the ever-changing age of earned: an age where consumers actively say no to advertising; an age where everyone is an influencer that can make or break your brand; an age where content can be turned into commercial opportunity. Our talented team builds brands by finding connection points in the real world. We energise the right mix of talent, using the right platforms and latest technology to choreograph stories that make a real and meaningful impact for some of the world’s leading brands and businesses e.g. Mars, Princes, IKEA, Unilever, Tinder, IBM, and Pinterest, to name a few.  

We earn affection, attention, affinity and purchase by delivering value to people around the world, with deep specialisms across food & drink, travel & tourism, tech, health, automotive, sports sponsorship, entertainment & lifestyle and energy. We are known for:

• Developing data driven insights and strategies to drive measurable impact
• Creating impactful campaigns that tap into culture
• Creating channel and platform agnostic campaigns that grow organically
• Delivering integrated campaigns that are earned-first but deliver for paid and owned

 

A snapshot of the role:

Weber Shandwick is looking for a talented Senior Associate to join the Corporate team in our Manchester office. The practice is made up of a smart, dedicated and fun team with expertise spanning B2B, Corporate, FMCG, Public Affairs, Crisis/Issues, Social Impact/ESG and Technology.

The ideal candidate is someone with around two-three years’ experience, and who is curious, ambitious, proactive and friendly. The role offers a portfolio of diverse and well-known brands, as well as work on integrated campaigns involving earned media, strategy, creative, analytics and digital specialists. You’ll support the day-to-day running of accounts, support in the development of campaign and media strategies, and manage the flawless execution of activities, from content development to media outreach to reporting

While we’re looking for a corporate practitioner, the beauty of our agency is that there is plenty of opportunity to grow your skills in different areas – whether that’s diving into digital and design, or an appetite to engage more in public affairs. We’re keen for this role to deliver as many new opportunities for the candidate as possible!

 

What you’ll be doing:

• Develop and oversee the execution of media/campaign strategies
• Manage the day-to-day running of accounts, including client/internal meetings, materials (e.g media lists, status updates), media monitoring and reporting
• Strong client management and engagement, ensuring the whole team provides an exceptional client experience
• Overseeing all facets of media programmes and materials, and a play substantial role in media pitching
• Stay on top of industry news, trends and influencers in specific industries and be able to link these to your clients’ objectives
• Supporting the development of new business pitches

Ideal experience required:

• A minimum of two years’ experience in Corporate PR or marketing
• An interest in the complex world of Corporate comms – in fact, an interest in the world full stop. The corporate team is an incredibly curious one, with interests spanning tech, retail, FMCG, sustainability, education, politics and more. We use this to bring fresh perspective, helping tell client stories through the lens of so many other industries
• Proficiency in both media relations and client management
• A comprehensive roster of journalist contacts with corporate, technology, B2B and vertical sector beats at titles covering international, national and trade/vertical sector publications
• Mastery in developing media materials including press releases, key message documents, pitches, social media content, etc.
• Solid presentation skills and a desire and experience being involved in new business pitching
• Be an excellent communicator and possess strong writing skills, particularly the ability to digest complex information and turn it into compelling, understandable content
• A proactive approach to identifying opportunities for the client, practice and team
• Attentive to detail and quality
• Fluency in Microsoft programs and digital/social media platforms, tools and solutions

 

Core Benefits:

• Private medical insurance
• Group life assurance
• Group income protection
• Personal pension plan
• Employee Assistance Programme

Flexible Benefits:

• Buy or sell holiday
• Additional life assurance cover
• Critical illness insurance
• Personal Accident Insurance
• Dental insurance
• Travel insurance
• Health screening
• Gym discounts
• Cycle to work scheme
• Health cash plan
• Flexible working with our 3:2 hybrid work model
• Equivalent of $250 USD for new joiners on 6 month + contract to support home working setup
• 25 days’ annual leave (in addition to public holidays) plus 2 volunteering days, birthday day off work and discretionary festive closure
• Flexible public holidays
• Sweets and snacks in the office
• Exclusive shopping discounts and perks
• Annual eyecare voucher
• Season ticket loan
• Referral bonus scheme
• Long service bonus
• Enhanced family leave
• Inclusive and invisible health policies
• Monthly social events organised by the Manchester office’s ‘Culture Club’

The office:  

We encourage employees to spend 2-3 days in the office each week, with Tuesday and Thursday as our traditional ‘anchor days’ where the majority of the team will be in. It’s a great time to join as at the end of this month, we will be moving to a brand new office space set in the heart of Spinningfields, offering the perfect place to collaborate, be creative, get your head down and spend time with your colleagues. It includes:

• A beautiful residential office in a vibrant co-working space
• A plethora of work spaces – from break out areas, to small meeting rooms to beautiful board rooms – and even a studio!
• An on-site gym, coffee shop, an award-winning bar, bike storage, coworking community and member events
• Take advantage of our fully stocked in-office drinks fridge
• Plenty of great food and shopping options nearby means you are spoilt for choice!
• Our UK network means there is often the chance to visit our offices in London, Glasgow and Edinburgh as/when needed

#LI-LM1

 

Who is Weber Shandwick?

We create cultural value and help brands navigate the ever-changing age of earned: an age where consumers actively say no to advertising; an age where everyone is an influencer that can make or break your brand; an age where content can be turned into commercial opportunity. Our talented team build brands by finding connection points in the real world. We energise the right mix of talent, using the right platforms and latest technology to choreography stories that make a real and meaningful impact for some of the world’s leading brands and businesses eg HSBC, Unilever and Greggs to name a few.

We earn affection, attention, affinity and purchase by delivering value to people around the world, with deep specialisms across food & drink, travel & tourism, consumer tech, consumer health, automotive, sports sponsorship, entertainment & lifestyle.

We are known for:

• Developing data driven insights and strategy to drive measurable impact
• Creating impactful creative that taps into culture
• Creating channel and platform agnostic campaigns that grow organically

Delivering integrated campaigns that are earned-first but deliver for paid and owned channels

What’s happening? 

Weber Shandwick is looking for an Internal Communications Manager to work with our UK and EMEA management teams to lead our organisational messaging strategy. You’ll be the first point of contact for all Weber Shandwick news and employee engagement, using the right combination of touchpoints, in the most engaging way.

What will you be doing?

• Establish an internal communications strategy in conjunction with senior leadership teams in UK & EMEA, including EMEA CEO, UK CEO, Senior Talent Leaders, EMEA Market Leaders, Marketing & Communications and People Teams, which ladders up to the UK/ EMEA business & communications plans and priorities.
• Plan, edit and write content for a variety of internal communications mediums and engaging internal events
• In line with company vision and mission, devise internal initiatives in order to fully engage employees. Ensure internal initiatives and projects are successfully communicated to employees and stakeholders
• Draft messages/ scripts from senior executives for presentation to employees in written or spoken form
• Ensure internal communications messages are consistent across all mediums and for different departments of the organisation
• Work with EVP, Marketing & Comms and External Comms Manager to ensure internal communication messages are consistent with external communication messages
• Respond to feedback from employee focus groups / employee surveys and build on strategy and communications content accordingly
• Handle the internal communication response to crisis situations which affect employees, in collaboration with senior management and external comms lead
• Advise senior executives of developments throughout the organisation, be the eyes and ears and take the temperature regularly
• Work with global comms/ internal comms teams and IPG to ensure connected thinking where relevant
• Review tools, systems & processes in order to implement the best, most effective internal communications ‘machine’, including the EMEA intranet
• Manage internal meetings/ webcasts/ events
• Develop engaging visual content for internal channels and external channels, including social media assets, aligned with the brand and external comms strategy
• Working closely with the People Team, develop innovative, forward thinking ideas to socialise and embed the new global Employee Value Proposition (‘Opportunity grows within a collective)

Work closely with and report to the WS Global Communications/Talent team to ensure cohesive internal communications

Who are you?

• You’ll have experience in a communications team, ideally internal communications, for a large or complex organisation
• Experience of writing for a variety of different audiences across a variety of platforms
• Prior management of complex projects and confidence advising senior managers
• Experience in design, particularly in creating visual content for platforms like intranets, newsletters, social media assets and presentations

Key skills required:

• Writing skills: Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills as well as the journalistic ability to source stories from employees
• Communication skills: Strong verbal communication skills that give the internal teams confidence in you and the organisation
• Interpersonal skills: Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills in order to work with Communications and People Teams. Confidence to deal with senior executives and to guide them on best practice for internal comms
• Creative skills: Creative ability to devise communication strategies and execute in the most engaging way
• Technical skills: Use of Adobe suite to create still and moving content (preferred). Knowledge & experience of Microsoft 365 to manage the WS intranet, which uses Microsoft SharePoint. Generally, technically savvy to switch between new and emerging platforms to deliver the best content for our people.

Core Benefits:

• Private medical insurance
• Group life assurance
• Group income protection
• Personal pension plan
• Employee Assistance Programme

Flexible Benefits:

• Buy or sell holiday
• Additional life assurance cover
• Critical illness insurance
• Personal Accident Insurance
• Dental insurance
• Travel insurance
• Health screening
• Gym discounts
• Cycle to work scheme
• Health cash plan

We appreciate the time take to apply for the role and your recent interest in Weber Shandwick. We will review all applications within five working days and be in touch with those who have been shortlisted to the next stage. Unfortunately, due to volume we are not able to get back to everyone individually so if you have not heard back from us unfortunately you have not been successful on this occasion and wish you all the best in your search.

At IPG we are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.