Account Director – PR

We are Havas SO!

Built to create Stand-Out health experiences fusing creativity, patient-know how, purpose and innovation to inspire healthier lives.

We custom-build solutions to suit your challenge.

Our agency is all about variety and diversity; diversity of talent and diversity of work. From the huge variety of therapy areas we cover to extending our reach into sustainability, purpose-led work, and even tech partnerships and innovation, we are constantly evolving our offering and capabilities. Join us and be a part of our journey!

Stand Out Careers

We are a small collaborative, client facing team with a non-traditional set up spanning advertising, digital experiences and PR.

We are looking for an Account Director to join our team!

You will be the key driver of client, business and team growth, with responsibility for leading and directing account teams on a day-to-day basis.

As part of the management team, you will be seen as an ambassador for Havas SO, building respect and support both internally and externally. You will be expected to have the ability to think ‘big picture’ in the development of long term strategic plans to drive client business and further establish Havas SO as a premier communications agency.

Stand Out Responsibilities:

Account Direction and Management

• Lead the development of strategic programmes, reviewing, amending and finalising programme activity and financial arrangements with the client
• Direct account team activity to ensure the most appropriate strategic approach and tactical programme of activity is developed and implemented to achieve client business objectives
• Maintain an ‘umbrella’ perspective at all times; direct the client/team to an environmental or competitor shift that may impact on the communications programme and instigate a change in strategic direction
• Strive to develop creative yet practical solutions to client/environmental challenges
• Oversee the financial status of accounts, ensuring flawless budgetary control
• Manage and implement client programmes/teams on a day-to-day basis with minimal senior involvement to drive the business forward
• Ensure appropriate resourcing of account, highlighting any under/over servicing when appropriate
• Ensure all written communication is of the highest possible quality (good grammar; spell-checked)

Communications (PR, Advocacy and Medical Communications)

• Provide strategic and tactical direction and input to documents including pitches, proposals (including annual plans/budgets) and presentations
• Develop integrated, multichannel communications programmes with measurable outcomes
• Maintain and cultivate strategic media contacts and contact with key editors
• Drive the development and implementation of issues/crisis management
• Continue to give shape, coherence and direction to all written materials, ensuring they meet strategic needs and oversee quality control for all written materials
• Continue to strengthen external relationships with industry experts and identify opportunities to leverage partnerships
• Demonstrate depth and breadth of communications skills and experience through competent direction of all facets of the communications programme

Client Activity

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients through appropriate regular contact and account direction
• Contribute to client marketing and communications strategy to ensure client views Havas SO as a strategic consultant rather than an implementer
• Provide quality counsel and strategic advice to client, constructively challenging where appropriate to ensure programme is effective as possible (compartmentalise discussions around tactical and strategic recommendations)
• Aim to be balanced and thoughtful in your approach and consider all consequences (merits/fallbacks) of different approaches prior to taking action
• Identify opportunities for organic growth and improved conversion of cost to fee
• Negotiate adequate agency resource and appropriate fees from client
• Ensure an annual external strategic review of client accounts is executed
• Chair meetings, ensuring everyone makes a contribution

People Leadership & Management

• Demonstrate understanding of the team you work with. Lead, motivate and inspire them by providing support and guidance, to ensure they fulfil their potential and ‘strive for excellence’ in every task they undertake
• Actively provide development opportunities for your team members to assist in their career progression
• Instil consistency in day-to-day work in terms of reaction to positive and negative account developments
• Demonstrate maturity and ‘gravitas’ both internally and externally
• Conduct regular appraisals and ensure challenging personal development objectives are set
• Assist with the recruitment of new team members when necessary
• Identify areas of development where necessary and highlight to HR Manager
• Provide coaching to linees when necessary

Business Management

• Effectively lead and service a minimum of £300k worth of business per annum
• Assume responsibility for identifying and converting new business leads (including leading the development of new business pitches) to maintain or ideally exceed required business quota
• Ensure accounts are serviced profitably through providing assistance to ADs/SADs/AsDs/Directors on accurate fee forecasting and staffing level projections
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of Havas SO’s vision and business objectives
• Develop and implement an area of the company business plan
• Participate and contribute to management meetings

Stand Out Skills:

• Senior Account Management experience within a healthcare PR agency
• Leadership skills
• Excellent people management skills – managing performance, delegation and coaching
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent project and time management skills
• Good presentation skills
• Ability to multi-task and work effectively under pressure
• Ability to use own initiative
• Financial management skills – budgeting
• Excellent negotiating and influencing skills
• Commercial acumen

Havas SO