Public Relations Senior Account Manager

• Involvement in strategy development and implementation for the growth of the agency
• Source of leadership to junior staff in the agency
• Identify and motivate new ways of working, both creatively and operationally
• Involvement in operational issues within the organisation

Skills

• Develop, with Director, strategic and tactical client programmes
• Demonstrate an ability to apply communications techniques beyond media relations in response to client briefs, including viral and web PR techniques
• Demonstrate ability to write persuasively, creatively pitch stories and identify/develop story opportunities
• Lead journalist relationship-building initiatives within the team across various media sectors
• Identify and build relationships at multiple levels within clients
• Build high-level knowledge of client’s market sector
• Show excellent communication skills: express ideas and articulate concepts, recommendations, etc. in client or team meetings
• Demonstrate a self-starter approach
• Demonstrate innovation and creativity
• Identify trend topics / events related to clients and suggest ways to participate
• Utilise social listening tools to generate insights and suggest new ideas and tactics
• Have knowledge of the various social media channels used by clients, generate content for these platforms, manage them according to client guidelines and nurture relationships with influencers
• Respond to comments, when appropriate, in order to foster a positive community and add value to the user’s experience
• Enforce the social media guidelines as defined by the client’s brand
• Manage events including preparation timelines, finding a venue and managing suppliers. Attending events to Tweet live to drive engagement and encourage participation. Provide media relations support for clients during events

Client services

• Participate in client meetings, managing meeting protocols, agenda, etc.
• Plan and participate in client review meetings with team
• Develop a consulting/advisory capability with client wherever possible

Agency operations

• Accurately review billing arrangements for clients
• Identify early account problems and act/advise solutions, in conjunction with Director
• Support Director to ensure smooth integration of new business and smooth running of existing accounts
• Effectively manage own time and that of junior staff
• Support company culture; actively seek new, smarter ways of doing things
• Be seen as an ambassador for the company

Account management and strategic thinking and planning

• Work with Director to finalise programme and budgets for client
• Assume accountability for financial aspects of cost management on client programmes; aware of financial status of accounts at all times
• Maintain an in-depth interest/knowledge of current affairs; look for links, opportunities to position company to client as appropriate
• The Epic Newsroom: Manage your team during editorial meetings; ensure value is being added across entire client portfolio

Business development

• Seek and develop opportunities for organic growth of existing business
• Demonstrate strong proposal writing and pitch preparation skills in conjunction with Director
  • Demonstrate advanced presentation and influencing skills
  • Hold in-depth knowledge of competitive landscape
  • Build high-level analytical and research skills

People development

• Become a role model for junior staff
• Support team development and staff team and project planning
• Conduct appraisals for junior staff
• Contribute to and participates in personal development activities for junior staff (i.e. via coaching, workshop development etc.)
• Actively look to maintain and build positive working relationships

Ref: JHB000084/BCM