Senior Account Executive (London)

OVERALL DESCRIPTION
A senior account executive is the bridge between an account executive and account manager.
They should be a capable and confident operator who has learnt most of the required basic media and communication skills and who has a good understanding of the media tools available to create the required media coverage in all PR areas.

The role is to implement and help create strategies and activities with input from account manager, as well as proactively looking for opportunities or devising ideas to contribute to the team effort. However, they should also be self-sufficient, capable of running smaller accounts on their own, with minimal guidance from their seniors.

REPORTING LINE
This job will typically report to one of the following roles: Account Director, Senior Account Manager or Account Manager.

DIMENSIONS
This job will typically have responsibility for the line management and coaching of junior or intern members of the team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Uses the full range of media, creativity and digital tools available and agreed internal processes to devise, review, evaluate and present progress on campaigns and projects, identify gaps and recommend improvements.
Builds and manages media and forward feature lists and recommends appropriate opportunities to target.
Conducts effective media sell in’s & identifies most advantageous opportunities for client coverage.
Delivers insightful research driven by data and manages key new business assets which underpin proposals.
Effectively communicates accurately and keeps the team and client informed on progress in accordance with agreed processes, ensuring expectations are managed and any issues are escalated in a timely fashion.
Delivers accurate written communications and can write a range of copy (internal/external) including: press releases, quotes, emails, and status & contact reports, social media materials.
Builds trusted relationships with journalists and media professionals covering their specialism/client area and develops their external network.
Connects with colleagues from across the Flame PR network, leveraging opportunities to work together to enhance professional development and learning.
Pro-actively keeps up to date with client-specific media, industry and digital developments and seeks to apply this knowledge in their work.
Manages departmental administration and supports the team, ensuring internal processes are followed.
Understands the importance of and relationship between client service and profitability and works within the boundaries of budgets.

SUPPORTING SKILLS REQUIREMENTS
Media Skills

Developing a full understanding of how the media works in the particular areas in which you operate - the opportunities available, building relationships with journalists etc.
Use established media connections, a thorough understanding of the client’s business objectives and its competitors, initiative and creativity to help develop and execute tailored campaigns and tactical plan for accounts
Running the features programmes for all clients, identifying opportunities, liaising with client on suitable approaches and drafting of copy, as well as selling items in to media.
Being proactive in all media areas for clients, constantly looking for opportunities where additional media coverage could be achieved above and beyond the client’s brief.
Driving the media relations programme for all clients. A senior account executive should control this area of all accounts, reacting to media enquiries and proactively looking for opportunities, working alongside managers/junior executives.
Confident in making verbal approaches to all journalists - consumer, business-to-business and trade - to sell in ideas and discuss opportunities.
Assist in the organisation of events ranging from workshops, photo calls, press conferences, training days etc. on behalf of clients.

Written Work

Taking a brief from client and writing coherent and factually accurate press releases that require minimal amends from seniors and clients.
Identifying feature opportunities, understanding the business issues or product requirements to sell in features and drafting feature length copy as required.
Producing internal copy for newsletters, internal briefings and notice boards.
Writing monthly activity reports, quarterly/annual client reviews and basic new business proposals, at least to first draft stage for the latter two activities.
Be completely competent in all written communications, such as letters, e-mails, etc., both internally and externally to clients and journalists

Meetings

To take ownership of the meeting preparation, ensuring that all agendas, meeting notes, monthly reports etc. are produced or liaising with manager/director on requirements for meeting.
To actively participate in meetings. When it is a small client that is mainly controlled by person, then the meeting and all preparation should be driven by the senior account executive. For larger pieces of business, the senior account executive should play an active role in preparing for the meeting and in presenting elements.
Participating in presentations to existing client and at new business pitches.

EXPERIENCE

Previous PR experience.
Have 1 year B2B experience preferably in tech/Fintech with media relations and content development management experience.
Have strong relationships with the press and established media contacts.
Strong attention to details.
Experience in team management and development.
Undergraduate degree or equivalent ideally in English, PR, Communications, Marketing, Business or Journalism.

Expected Start Date: With the right candidate, as soon as possible
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Location: London Office Based
Salary: £27,500.00 - £ 32,500.00 per annum (Negotiable)

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Staff Testimonials

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I joined Flame PR as an intern but from the beginning I was given the responsibility to encourage my development in the field, utilising what I had learnt from my Masters and the Taylor Bennett Foundation. I was made to feel part of the team from the offset, writing press releases, client proposals and pitching. I feel like a valued member of the team and am able to offer commentary on PR activity for our clients. During my time at Flame PR I have one to one sessions with the MD Kully Dhadda who is my biggest advocate to develop my career and continue my journey at Flame.

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