Salary: £46,000 – £55,000 per annum based on experience
Contract: Permanent
Role overview
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Account Director to join our Public Affairs team. As an Account Director, you will play a pivotal role in driving the success of our clients’ public affairs strategies, fostering strong relationships, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality services.
This is a client facing role that would suit an individual who thrives on unambiguous and direct communication and enjoys building relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels. If you’re someone who’s skilled in crafting and delivering public affairs strategies for membership organisations, we’re especially excited to hear from you.
We deeply care about our team and are looking for an individual who will embrace our learning, supportive culture and get on board with our mission to remain an effective influence for better in the world of public policy.
Requirements
- Minimum of 5 years experience in public affairs roles.
- Experience in public affairs agencies or trade associations.
- Proven track record of successfully managing client relationships and delivering impactful public affairs strategies.
- Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate others.
- Understanding of the EU policy landscape and industry dynamics (knowledge of the UK political environment will be considered an asset).
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders.
- Strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities and pro-active attitude.
- Passion for continuous learning and adaptability to evolving sectors.
- Excellent spoken and written English (Native-speaker level or equivalent), any other languages are considered an asset.
Responsibilities
- Client servicing: Act as the lead for key clients (particularly trade associations in the food, nutrition, and public health sectors), understanding their objectives, providing strategic counsel to achieve their goals, and delivering exceptional results with minimal oversight. Develop and implement long-term strategic approaches, ensuring client needs are met and exceeded.
- Policy expertise: Lead the policy development efforts by supervising the delivery of well-researched and compelling position papers, consultation responses, and briefings that advocate for meaningful change, in areas including food and drink, public health, sustainability and digital in the EU and the UK.
- Strategic advice: Alongside directors, devise and execute effective public affairs and advocacy campaigns that raise awareness, engage stakeholders, and influence policy decisions. Contribute to the drafting of annual strategies for client accounts, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and objectives.
- Team Management: Lead and mentor a team of talented professionals, providing guidance, support, and fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment.
- Relationship building: Cultivate strong connections and build trust with clients, parliamentarians, officials, industry and journalists, attending meetings and driving action items.
- Strategic insight: Offering high-level public affairs and policy advice across industries, particularly in the areas of public health, sustainability and wider issues affecting businesses. Your insights will guide clients in navigating complex landscapes.
- Business growth: Lead new business initiatives by identifying and pursuing opportunities, expanding our presence in emerging sectors. You’ll play a pivotal role in maintaining profitability and securing long-term client partnerships and growing membership bodies where our role is to provide the Secretariat.
- Brand ambassadorship: Represent our company with pride, both internally and externally. Support our PR efforts, contributing to our reputation as industry leaders.
Compensation and Benefits
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays and birthday off;
- Company bonus scheme;
- Pension scheme;
- Private medical insurance;
- Bi-annual reviews focusing on personal development;
- Significant investment in personal growth: hands-on internal training from public relations and public affairs colleagues and opportunities for external training;
- A sociable team – regular team socials and outings;
- Hybrid working with great offices in the heart of Central London;
- Flexible working available;
- Fortnightly Deliveroo allowance;
- Cycle-to-work scheme;
- Long service paid leave;
- Free eye tests.
About us
Whitehouse Communications is an independent issues-led political communications agency based in London, specialising in public affairs, policy analysis, media relations and crises communications. We advise clients on how to effectively and positively engage with key decisionmakers in Brussels, Westminster, Whitehall, and local government.
How to apply
If you are passionate about EU-UK public affairs and have the skills and experience to excel in this role, we would love to hear from you. Please send your CV and a cover letter to recruitment@whitehousecomms.com for the attention of Laura Contin. Tell us why you’re passionate about this role and how do you meet the core competencies described above. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, and the first round of interviews will be conducted online.
Equal opportunities statement
We are committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment and to make full use of the talents and resources of all employees and to provide a healthy environment that will encourage good and productive working operations within the organisation. You and any job applicant will receive equal treatment regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.