Senior Pr Account Manager

Folk (https://thefolkgroup.com/) is a multi-award-winning creative communications agency based in Cardiff, with inclusion at our heart. We connect local, national and global audiences by developing impactful, strategic and inclusive brands and campaigns.

Positivity, possibility, impact and fairness are the values behind everything we do – helping our clients create effective strategies without prejudice, through language that includes, imagery that represents and ideas that influence.

We’ve got a lovely team of specialists who offer the whole spectrum of comms services, covering inclusive insights, strategy, content and PR.

It’s a positive working culture here, which means no ridiculous work hours, treating everyone with respect and kindness, as well as a host of brilliant benefits.

THE ROLE:

We’re looking for an ambitious and fearlessly creative Senior PR Account Manager who is hands-on, has boundless ideas, creativity, enthusiasm and is digitally progressive.

A skilled communications professional, you’ll be used to running effective, award-winning campaigns and programmes that deliver outstanding results with faultless service. Displaying professionalism, proactivity and enthusiasm in all that you do, you’ll have exceptional experience working across all media (print, online, broadcast and social) and will have developed a strong network of media contacts.

You will regularly identify opportunities for media coverage and social engagement, always going the extra mile to impress the client with new and innovative ideas.

Working as part of a dedicated account team on a portfolio of B2B, consumer and public sector clients, you’ll be responsible for always driving forward the clients’ communications programmes, always delivering on time and to budget.

As well as taking responsibility for the more senior, strategic aspects of the account management role, you will also help to deliver the required PR and content activity, oversee the work of your Account Manager/Executive to ensure quality standards are met and support your Account Director in the planning and strategic direction of the accounts.

You’ll also have the opportunity to work closely with your line manager to develop your new business, people management and commercial skills. We’ll want you to contribute to the agency’s new business drive, regularly participating in brainstorms and research and preparing specified sections of presentations and proposals.

CORE ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Media relations and newsjacking
  • Provide constructive feedback on AE/SAE’s recommendations for same-day and future newsjacking opportunities identified as part of news monitoring so that these can be shared with the client.
  • Support AE/SAE on media sell-ins and outreach as required.
  • Monitor campaign success levels and suggests remedial action if activity is not achieving the desired results.
  • Demonstrate excellent copywriting skills, with a creative flair, strong attention to detail and a faultless command of spelling and grammar.

• Content /campaign production
  • Prepare copy for press releases, comments and outreach emails.
  • Ensure all press releases and media comments include relevant links back to client websites and content wherever possible.
  • Check copy for strength, typos, grammar and formatting and only shares with AD for sign off once ‘client ready’
  • Analyse complex data and research findings and recommend relevant angles for stories/content production on larger accounts.
  • Conduct relevant research and liaises with third parties / influencers / experts to support campaigns.
  • Has a very good understanding of all elements of the marketing mix (paid, earned, owned and shared) and understands when external specialists are required.

• Client Service
  • Assume responsibility as senior day-to-day contact on all relevant accounts and builds positive relationship with the main contact client-side. 
  • Responsible for developing/updating the client’s campaign plan and ensuring all actions are completed on time and that any gaps are filled with new ideas for recommended activity.
  • Prepare agendas for client meetings and undertakes all necessary preparation to ensure a successful/effective meeting. Takes the lead in meetings as appropriate.
  • Answer client queries escalated by more junior members of staff, with support from AD on any complex issues.
  • Sign off any important client correspondence prepared by AE/AM before it is sent.
  • Is aware of potential client issues/implications of client actions and provides advice/ escalates them to AD as necessary.

• Reporting
  • Review monthly or quarterly client reports before they are sent to the client.
  • Monitor all campaign activity to ensure it is achieving the agreed KPIs and suggest alternative action if objectives are not being met.
  • Ensure all client activity is completed within the agreed time allocation to maintain agency profitability levels and utilisation rates.

• Team Management
  • Hold monthly 121 meeting with AM/AE and acts as a mentor/coach to ensure they are equipped to perform their role to the best of their ability.
  • Monitor AM/AE’s performance to make sure they are operating effectively and feel supported/empowered to do the best possible job.
  • Deal with any staff issues effectively and diplomatically, ensuring the best outcome for the agency and the individuals involved.
  • Attend monthly 121 meeting with line manager.

• New Business/Agency growth
  • Work closely with the senior management team to support the drive for agency new business.
  • Regularly identifies and maximises opportunities to upsell Folk’s services to existing clients.
  • Make a valuable contribution to the submission of tender responses/proposals, e.g. research, audience insights, ideation, planning.
  • Attend agency pitches where relevant and presents with confidence.
  • Attend networking events and acts as an ambassador for Folk, always embodying the agency’s values.

BENEFITS

In return we offer benefits which include:

• Flexible / hybrid working as well as Working from an Alternative Location policy
• 25 days’ annual leave, excluding bank holidays (plus your Work Anniversary day off)
• Private medical cover and employee assistance programme
• Company Pension
• Family-friendly policies including enhanced policies after 18 months’ continuous service
• Full training and development programme alongside informal Lunch & Learn sessions
• Relaxed and fun culture offering:
  • complimentary breakfasts, drinks and snacks
  • Company perks programme
  • Regular social, cultural and charitable activities