PLMR is a successful, fast-growing communications agency with a dynamic, vibrant team that works across a number of high profile clients to deliver public affairs, public relations and digital solutions for its clients.
As a Senior Account Executive, you will be a key member of the PLMR Health and Social Care team providing high quality servicing to all our clients in the health and social care sector.
You will have at least one year’s experience in PR and media relations, preferably working in a busy press office, handling and responding to media enquiries, drafting long and short form content for media publication (such as press releases, blogs, and opinion articles), and contributing to the development of PR strategies.
You will ideally also have experience providing research and political counsel and advice in the fields of public affairs, government and media relations, having worked for a diverse range of clients or interests, and you will show aptitude for consultancy and management.
In this role you will progress your consultancy skills; attending to the day to day management of client accounts and maintaining a positive client relationship, spotting policy trends and identifying issues which might impact on client activity, beginning to develop new business ideas and initiatives alongside the senior management team. You will manage both junior and senior colleagues to ensure PLMR meet and beat client expectations at every level. You will contribute to new business ideas and approaches, with support from the wider team. You will be an excellent writer, and understand how to use print and online media tactics to advance the aims of our clients and PLMR.
You will have excellent written and verbal communication skills, be well organised, highly motivated and able to work under your own initiative to meet and drive forward deadlines and projects. As a Senior Account Executive you will have good interpersonal skills and be able to delegate work. You will ideally also have begun to develop your own networks within both political and media circles.
Your role will be in our award-wining Health and Social Care practice. It is therefore beneficial (but not required) to have experience in this sector, but it is essential that you show an interest and willingness to develop your knowledge as a sector specialist.
Key career progression points:
- You have been employed in PR and media relations role for at least a year..
- You show clear aptitude for consultancy – you can work independently, be proactive, anticipate issues, have good ideas, can write well and create accurate client-ready documents and digital content, have a can-do attitude, have excellent interpersonal skills, show a keen interest and specialist knowledge in relevant sectors, and are seeking to establish your individual reputation within health and social care and PR circles.
- You show potential as an Account Manager – you are well organised, a good communicator within a team, well able to prioritise work according to urgency without overlooking non-urgent items, able to turn from task to task effectively, enthusiastic and approachable, you can be relied on to deliver on tasks for senior review within given deadlines.
- You will have fulfilled all of the requirements of the Account Executive job description.
Please note, this role is heavily focused around Public Relations work which will predominately include responsibilities such as:
- identifying opportunities for strong PR stories which will generate coverage for health and social are clients and help them to meet their goals;
- drafting press releases and longer form thought leadership pieces for local press, healthcare trade media and national outlets on behalf of our clients;
- working positively with our clients to steer content through sign off processes and agree final versions;
- selling-in stories and pitching to media targets across consumer and trade media;
- identifying newsworthy angles and opportunities in sector and mainstream media for our clients to leverage to their advantage;
- media monitoring, including using our monitoring platform, and circulating regular client updates and coverage reports;
- managing multiple incoming requests from clients and journalists, responding and cascading to the wider team as required in a fast-paced environment;
- drafting responses to crisis and reputation management issues as they arise for our clients;
- account admin, including maintaining up-to-date task lists and forming meeting agendas.
As a Senior Account Executive at PLMR, you will also be expected to fulfil the following aspects of the role:
Client delivery
- sending out client-ready, accurate communications which require minimal review by senior colleagues
- accurately presenting and adapting client messaging for different audiences, including digital channels and internal communications
- developing excellent client relationships – ensuring that the client feels well serviced, able to call for advice at any time, and maximising opportunities for account development
- showing care and attention to detail – that work is completed on time to the appropriate standards, anticipating client demands and ensuring that PLMR is always ‘adding value’ to our clients
- delegating tasks to junior colleagues where appropriate and motivating them to deliver on these
- fostering relations with national and sectoral media, politicians, civil servants, local authorities, regulatory bodies, and any relevant interest groups
- event management, including press conferences, digital promotion and physical promotional events
- attending and promoting client events to the media
- developing and maintaining an expertise in client sectors and related policy fields
- responding to requests for information from clients which may be at short notice
- researching, forecasting and evaluating the effects of public policy on an organisation, using public sources, political intelligence and personal contacts
- writing newsletters, briefings, campaign material and press releases
- attending select committee hearings, party conferences and other events as required as an ambassador for PLMR
- using social media and digital channels to manage clients’ key messaging and enhance the reputation of PLMR and its clients
- writing and placing articles on behalf of PLMR in key media for the company’s profile and positioning
- providing regular copy for the PLMR website – blogging, case studies, features, comment
- drafting appropriate responses to crisis management issues
- creating final press releases which need minimal alterations on review
- ensuring that PLMR accurately monitors the media, including newspapers, magazines, journals, broadcasts, newswires, social media channels and blogs, for timely opportunities for clients
- accurately collating, analysing and evaluating media coverage
- researching, writing and distributing press releases to targeted media.
PLMR growth
- identifying new business opportunities and following up on them on a timely basis, thereby assisting in the growth of the PLMR business and the achievement of its business plan
- assisting senior colleagues in creating and delivering winning proposals for new business pitches
- promoting a positive, professional image of PLMR as a market leader to external audiences through networking and representing the company at events, and on social media
- providing updates on new business leads regularly to other senior colleagues
- relationship building and networking with colleagues, clients and the media
- participating in presentations to existing clients and at new business pitches
Internal
- completing accurate daily timesheets
- providing information for invoicing and cost recharging to the finance department in a timely manner as requested
- developing a positive professional relationship with PLMR colleagues, and contributing to a thriving day to day working environment
- effectively managing and delegating tasks to junior colleagues and assisting them as necessary
- ensuring PLMR staff resources are fully utilised
- mentoring junior colleagues in order to develop their consultancy skills
- developing a personal professional reputation as a reliable, competent manager
- contributing to PLMR planning and strategy
- communicating effectively internally to manage work levels and deliverables deadlines
- fostering a positive day to day working environment
- setting a professional example to junior colleagues
- assisting in PLMR recruitment and retention – providing feedback on colleagues, appraising line reports, identifying and interviewing potential candidates for new positions
Personal Development
- developing a sectoral expertise
- building a personal profile in key industry circles and trade media as a communications expert
- maintaining a strong interest in current affairs
- maintaining communications and public affairs skills
- meeting personal development objectives set by line manager
- developing personal expertise in digital communications channels, with a focus on the management as well as execution of digital campaigns
Skills / attributes required
- educated to degree standard
- ability to write persuasively and convey client messages accurately for different media and audiences
- a strong knowledge of current events, political systems and the national and sectoral media
- proven written and verbal communication skills with the ability to conceptualise, analyse and write persuasive arguments
- proven editing and proofreading ability: to draft and edit documentation to produce accurate and error free final copy after minimum iterations
- highly motivated, well organised and able to work under your own initiative
- a can-do attitude and a passion for achieving results
- flexibility – capable of juggling more than one task/client at the time and prioritising work load accordingly
Activities may be subject to amendment over time as the role develops and/or priorities and requirements evolve.
At PLMR we are committed to reflecting and representing the diversity of the UK and to equal opportunities in employment. The policies and practices of the agency aim to promote an environment that is free from all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination and values the diversity of all people. At the heart of our policy, we seek to treat people fairly and with dignity and respect.
Please submit a cover letter to support your application.
