Account Director (Corporate PR)

Department: PR&I, Corporate Reputation Team

Location: London

Contract type: 12-Month FTC

Full Time/Part time: 4-5 Days

Reporting into: Client Partner

About Ogilvy: 

Ogilvy UK has been creating iconic ideas that deliver impact at scale for clients ever since David Ogilvy founded the company in 1948. Ogilvy UK specialises in bringing together brand advertising, customer experience marketing, PR, influence and consulting, all fuelled by Behavioural Science. Our world-class award-winning creative campaigns deliver solutions for clients including Molson Coors (owner of Madrí beer), Valeo Foods UK (owner of Kettle Chips and Rowse Honey), Argos, Mondelēz International, Unilever, TK Maxx and Pernod Ricard.  

In 2023, Ogilvy UK celebrated their 75th anniversary and was the most awarded agency in Europe. Ogilvy is home to the largest influencer marketing practice globally and hosts the world’s biggest festival of behavioural science and creativity, Nudgestock – now in its 12th year. 

The Role:

Ogilvy PR is seeking a highly experienced and motivated Account Director to join our award-winning corporate practice in London. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead multi-market communications projects for some of the world's most iconic brands. The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker with a proven track record in managing complex corporate reputation programmes, navigating sensitive issues, and delivering impactful results. 

This Account Director role at Ogilvy PR is a demanding but rewarding position offering significant career growth potential. Here's a deeper dive into some key aspects of the role: 

High-Profile Client & Global Impact: You'll be working with one of the world's most recognizable brands, on a global scale. Your work will directly impact how the company is perceived across multiple markets, requiring a nuanced understanding of different cultural contexts and media landscapes. 

Focus on Key Corporate Issues: This isn't just about product launches. This role focuses on the big-picture issues that matter most to our clients’ long-term reputation: sustainability (especially regarding packaging), social impact, and stakeholder engagement. You'll be at the forefront of shaping the narrative around these critical topics. 

Integrated Teamwork: Ogilvy prides itself on its integrated approach. While you'll be leading the corporate PR charge, you'll be working closely with colleagues specializing in consumer PR, social media, and influencer marketing. This requires strong collaboration skills and the ability to influence others to ensure a cohesive brand message across all channels. 

Strategic Counsel & Risk Mitigation: You'll be a trusted advisor to our client, providing strategic counsel on complex communications challenges and proactively identifying and mitigating potential reputational risks. This requires a deep understanding of the sustainability landscape, media landscape, stakeholder dynamics, and the potential impact of various communications strategies. 

Leadership & Mentorship: You'll be managing a team of account executives and assistants, providing guidance, mentorship, and opportunities for professional development. Your leadership skills will be crucial to the team's success and the overall quality of work delivered to the client. 

Fast-Paced & Demanding: This is a fast-paced and demanding role that requires excellent organizational skills, the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, and the resilience to handle pressure effectively. You'll need to be proactive, solutions-oriented, and comfortable working in a dynamic environment. 

Career Development: Ogilvy is committed to investing in its employees' growth. This role offers significant opportunities for professional development and advancement within the agency.  

This role is ideal for a seasoned PR professional who is passionate about corporate communications, thrives in a challenging environment, and is eager to make a real impact on a global scale. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, becoming a trusted partner and advisor.
• Lead and manage the day-to-day execution of multi-market PR programmes for a range of FMCG brands, focusing on corporate reputation, sustainability, and social impact. 
• Develop and implement strategic communication plans that align with client’s business objectives and enhance their brand reputation. 
• Provide strategic counsel on a range of corporate communications issues, including packaging sustainability, social impact initiatives, and stakeholder engagement. 
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including media, influencers, NGOs, and internal client teams across multiple markets. 
• Proactively identify and mitigate potential reputational risks. 
• Manage project budgets and timelines effectively. 
• Oversee a team of account executives and assistants, providing guidance and mentorship. 
• Collaborate closely with integrated teams across Ogilvy, including consumer PR, social media, and influencer marketing, ensuring a consistent brand reputation lens across all campaigns and projects. 
• Monitor and analyse media coverage and industry trends, providing insights and recommendations to client. 
• Contribute to new business development efforts, identifying and pursuing opportunities to expand Ogilvy's work with existing and new clients. 
• Monitor campaign performance and make data-driven decisions to optimise results.
• Foster a culture of creativity, collaboration, and innovation within the agency and among the account management team.
• Develop and implement crisis management plans for clients to address any negative press or public relations issues that may arise.
• Serve as the main point of contact for clients, managing communication and expectations throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure all campaign materials, including press releases, social media content, and other assets, are on-brand and align with the client's messaging and objectives.
• Lead regular client meetings and status updates to review campaign progress and discuss any changes or adjustments needed.
• Develop and implement measurement strategies to evaluate campaign effectiveness and report on ROI to clients.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, balancing competing priorities and timelines.
• Champion inclusiveness, diversity, and equity in all aspects of work. 

Qualifications and Experience: 

• 8-10 years of experience in corporate communications, preferably within an agency setting. 
• Proven experience managing multi-market PR programmes for large, multinational corporations. 
• Strong understanding of corporate reputation management, sustainability communications, and social impact. 
• Understanding and experience navigating the sustainability comms landscape.
• Excellent media relations skills and established network of media contacts. 
• Experience in crisis communications and issues management. 
• Ability to navigate complex and sensitive topics with diplomacy and tact. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• Strong project management and organizational skills. 
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage multiple deadlines. 
• Experience working with integrated teams and providing strategic counsel across disciplines. 
• Data-driven mindset, with the ability to analyse campaign performance and make data-driven decisions to optimize results.
• Strong attention to detail, with the ability to ensure all campaign materials are on-brand and align with the client's messaging and objectives.

How we help you Thrive:     

•  25 days annual leave + 1 Volunteer Day  
• Bupa Healthcare 
• Enhanced Maternity, Adoption and Shared Parental Leave 
• We have a Flexible Working Model with core working hours: 10am – 4pm 
• A 1.5:1 Matching Pension Structure 
• Wellbeing and Health: Up to £25.00 per month towards physical or online exercise class membership, Unmind membership, LifeWorks tool and annual eye tests and development budgets and Wellbeing incentives and activities throughout the year  
• Season Ticket Loan and Cycle to Work Scheme 
• Life Assurance