PR Apprentice

Launchpad 2025

Apprenticeship – PR

Location: Manchester
Department: Public Relations

Who is Weber Shandwick?

Weber Shandwick is a leading global communications agency. We work with some of the most exciting brands and organisations in the world, helping them tell their stories and engage the people that matter most. Whether it’s launching a new product, navigating a complex issue, or creating a powerful social campaign, our teams use insight, creativity and collaboration to make it happen.

We’re passionate about creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, included and inspired to do their best work.

About the Apprenticeship

This is a full-time apprenticeship opportunity. You’ll spend four days a week working with your team and one day per week dedicated to formal study towards a recognised Level 4 PR and Communications Assistant qualification. We offer a hybrid working model, combining in-office collaboration with the flexibility of remote working.

What will you be doing?

As a PR & Communications Assistant Apprentice, you’ll gain hands-on experience across our Corporate and Consumer teams in Manchester. You’ll learn what goes into creating a successful communications campaign, while supporting our teams with day-to-day tasks that make a real impact.

Some of the things you might do include:

• Writing press releases, media pitches, and social media posts
• Building media lists and researching journalists
• Tracking media coverage and pulling together reports
• Helping organise events and campaign activations
• Attending client meetings and supporting with notes and actions
• Conducting research into industry trends or new business opportunities
• Supporting the team with admin and project coordination

Who are you?

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Eager to learn about the world of PR and agency life
• A good communicator, both in writing and verbally
• Organised and able to manage different tasks and deadlines
• Curious about the world around them and the stories in the news
• Confident using Microsoft Office and social media platforms

Why join us?

This is a chance to get real experience in a global agency environment where no two days are the same. You’ll be supported by friendly, experienced colleagues who’ll help you learn and grow, and you’ll gain a solid foundation in public relations.

Whether your interests lie in lifestyle brands, business communications, or public sector work, this is the perfect place to start your career in communications.

As an apprentice at Weber Shandwick, you’ll be joining a vibrant cohort of apprentices already thriving across the business, spanning different teams and levels. You’ll become part of a supportive, inspiring community where you can learn from one another, grow together, and share in each other’s successes.

How to apply: 

Please submit a CV along with a cover letter detailing your interest in the apprenticeship.

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

Note from the Talent Team:

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 DXTRA 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.

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.

We earn affection, attention, affinity, and purchase by delivering value to people around the world, with deep specialisms spanning technology, 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

What’s happening?

We’re hiring for a (Senior) Business Affairs Manager to join our team in London on a maternity cover FTC. This role would suit someone that’s currently in a Business Affairs, Programme or Production Management position.

You will work closely with our existing accounts, project, operations, and legal teams to add more senior capability, both to over-see and make changes to how we work.

This role will enhance the delivery of our work, with key focus areas being accurate documentation, and looking at how we are organised to deliver. Whilst this is predominantly an internal-facing role, some client and supplier management may be necessary when acting as a point of escalation. Internal stakeholder management is key.

Ideally, you’re a problem solver, a self-starter, a multitasker, and a quick thinker with a level head and excellent people skills. This important role will keep you on your toes with varying day-to-day work that is both fun and challenging. 

 

What will you be doing?

• Applying agency best practices to autonomously create and drive a process for seamless delivery across all work 
• Reviewing client SOWs and third-party contracts for suppliers / vendors.
• Supporting the teams on vetting, negotiating and contracting third parties, with keen attention to risk management
• Summarising client terms as they apply to suppliers
• Populating/checking standard form contracts
• Bridging the gap between the Account and Creative teams with Operations and Legal, ensuring all work is of the highest quality before going for review
• Identify areas where teams need additional clarification or guidance and create appropriate guidelines and materials
• Setting in place clear guidelines and boundaries to work to
• Work with financial Business Manager to identify areas of efficiency
• Maintain oversight of all client work streams in the Consumer practice to ensure consistency, knowledge sharing, and accurate financial reporting
• Identify and flag discrepancies in plans, demonstrating an understanding of how to efficiently address them and remove hurdles
• Proactivity build strong, positive relationships with team members at all levels, and act as a widely-known, helpful resource and problem solver

 

Who are you?

Qualifications:

• Previous experience in an agency or production environment
• Previous experience working in a similar programme management / business affairs role
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and Project Management tools
• Solid understanding and proven track record of contracting and negotiations
• Solid understanding of and familiarity with agency process and project lifecycles

Key skills:

• Be a strong hands-on individual that can organise and operate with multi-faceted teams
• Possess strong sense of curiosity, solution-oriented mentality, and critical thinking skills
• An upbeat, enthusiastic and self-starter attitude with the ability to inspire and motivate a variety of team members
• Commercially aware with good attention to detail
• Good negotiation skills and comfortable managing senior stakeholders
• Be able to correctly prioritise, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams from beginning to end
• An adaptable attitude and ability to think laterally

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

Note from the Talent Team:

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 DXTRA 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.

 

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Position: Associate, Healthcare (PR/Comms, Digital & Social)

Practice: HEALTH

Location: London, UK

 

Weber Shandwick is a leading global communications network that delivers next-generation solutions to brands, businesses and organisations in major markets around the world.

Led by world-class strategic and creative thinkers and activators, we have won some of the most prestigious awards in the industry. Data-led, with earned ideas at the core, the agency deploys leading and emerging technologies to inform strategy, develop critical insights and heighten impact across sectors and specialty areas, including brand and B2B marketing, healthcare marketing, change management, employee engagement, corporate reputation, crisis management, data and analytics, technology, public affairs, social impact and financial communications.

 

What is the role

We’re looking for an ambitious health PR/communications Associate (Account Executive) level candidate, ideally with experience working with medical/healthcare integrated comms accounts. You will play a key role in supporting account teams with the implementation of tactical programmes and their components.

The successful hire will be responsible for managing and responding to client needs and requests in specific areas of responsibility alongside other team members, while also starting to develop versatile writing skills and advancing client relations skills.

 

Core responsibilities:

• Supports the implementation of multiple projects across accounts, as well as drives the timely, effective and efficient delivery of organisational and administrative elements of account work (status reports, action lists, call notes, etc.)
• Develops solid first drafts of documents for account work (e.g. summary of logistical arrangements, results of media audit, media materials, etc.).
• Works to agreed activity plans, demonstrating understanding of detailed project requirements (including deadlines) and taking the initiative to liaise with supervisors and third parties to deliver to brief. Proactively identifies issues and recommends solutions
• Has a good understanding of the status of activities across an account, even when not directly involved (e.g. through monitoring emails and from team update meetings)
• Proactively updates more senior team members on work progress. Checks in with Account or Project Managers to ensure they have the support they need to deliver by deadlines
• Liaises well with clients on a day-to-day basis to progress activities/projects in specific areas of responsibility
• Develops a good understanding of clients, their products, and relevant disease areas
• Takes responsibility for foundational financial elements of client accounts (e.g. vendor quotes/invoices, PO generation, ongoing cost tracking and reconciliation) – flags any concerns about available funds to account lead

 

Candidate Profile

• Ideally experienced working in medical/healthcare communications
• Strong verbal and written skills
• Demonstrates strong attention to detail, completing actions on time and to a high quality (e.g. minimal copy or formatting errors)
• Ideally some understanding of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) regulatory framework, as well as of the NHS and major European health systems
• Some knowledge of key healthcare media outlets and types of healthcare stories they report and why

 

Anything else?

We are based in London with a modern office space in Liverpool Street, which boasts a roof terrace (with some pretty awesome views!)

The firm was the most awarded PR agency 2023 at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity and was named to Ad Age’s Agency A-List in 2024. Weber Shandwick was also honoured as PRovoke’s Global Agency of the Year in 2023 and PRWeek’s Global Agency of the Year in 2024.

Data-led, with earned ideas at the core, the agency deploys leading and emerging technologies to inform strategy, develop critical insights and heighten impact across sectors and specialty areas, including brand and B2B marketing, healthcare marketing, change management, employee engagement, corporate reputation, crisis management, data and analytics, technology, public affairs, social impact and financial communications. Weber Shandwick is part of the IPG DXTRA family and wider Interpublic Group. Check out more about team, the work, and what it’s like to work at Weber Shandwick here

 

At IPG DXTRA 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.

Our Values and Behaviours:

Curiosity, inclusion, courage, impact. Our work and our culture are shaped by our values:

• CURIOSITY: We cultivate curiosity and challenge convention. Because solving any problem begins with asking the right questions
• INCLUSION: We foster teams and environments built on belonging and openness to possibility. Because the best ideas have no bias
• COURAGE: We stand up for what we believe in. Because being comfortable with the uncomfortable is how progress is made
• IMPACT: We strive to make a meaningful difference in everything we do. Because we owe it to our people, our clients and the world

 

What’s in it for you:

• JUICE – Our flexible working model
• 25 days annual leave + Birthday & xmas period off
• Personal pension plan
• Cycle to work scheme
• Private dental insurance
• Gym discounts
• Heath cash plan
• Group life assurance
• Group income protection
• Flexible life insurance
• Critical illness insurance
• Buy & Sell Holiday
• Private pension plan
• Travel Insurance
• Private medical

 

 

 

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