Account Director; Education – PR & Public Affairs

Account Director (Education – PR & Public Affairs)

PLMR is a leading, fast-growing communications agency with a dynamic, vibrant team, which delivers outstanding results for clients every day. We work across a range of core sectors, including education, health and social care, technology, built environment, energy and sustainability, and professional services to deliver public relations, public affairs, reputation management and digital strategies that play a central role in helping our clients achieve their diverse objectives.

As an Account Director you will be aleadingmember of the PLMREducation practice, overseeing and working across client accounts to ensure high-quality support is delivered at all times. You will be responsible for delivering high-level output across PR, public affairs, reputation management and stakeholder engagement, alongside developing overarching communications and campaign strategies, providing strategic counsel, and confidently leading client communications and decision-making. Internally, you will support the Education Practice’s senior leadership team by leading by example,supporting junior colleagues and contributing to new business, networking and marketing efforts.

You will have at least five years’ experience working within communications, including agency settings, spanning all levels of traditional and new media, public affairs and stakeholder engagement and crisis communications. You will also be able todemonstrateyour ability to develop a wide network of journalists, clients and political stakeholders and will have a proven aptitude for consultancy and management.

As a proud B-Corp, we are also looking for someone who shares our interest in education and delivering social impact for causes that matter.

In this role, you will work on an array of clients within education, spanning nurseries, schools, and academy trusts, to universities, skills and training providers, trade associations, corporate organisations, start-ups, and charities. You will be accountable for seamless and high-quality work, internally and externally, and will have excellent leadership skills that bring the best out of your team.

You willhave a passion for working across accounts that have positive social impact and be ambitious for your career and for PLMR.

The ideal candidate will have the following:

• A minimum of five years’ experience in communications, including time working within an agency setting.
• A strong track recordof account leadership – motivating and coordinating account teams, working efficiently and to a high-standard and successfully managing multiple projects with challenging deadlines.
• Excellent written,presentation and verbal communications skills.
• Experienceleadingreputation management and crisis communications, includingprovidingstrategicadviceand developing effective and considered communications materials.
• A proven ability to be a self-starter, criticalthinkerandsolutions-driven consultant.
• Experience with line management andacan-do attitude and a positive,supportive and engaging approach to work.
• Experience leading on successful new business proposals and pitches, coordinating a supportteamand quickly developing positive relationships with prospective clients as part of this process.
• An expert understanding ofthe British media and political system. You will have an established network of journalists and wider contacts,even ifoutside of education.
• A proven ability to deliver successful client work with meaningful outcomes.
• Knowledge of the education sector is advantageous, but not essential.
• A desire to be part of a fun, close-knit and hard working team!

Main responsibilities:

• Leading the development and delivery of strategic communications, public affairs, reputation management…