SVP (Director) - Public Affairs

Who is Weber Shandwick?At The Weber Shandwick Collective, you are welcomed, valued and empowered to grow and we believe that opportunity grows in a collective. We create cultural value and help brands navigate the ever-changing age of earned: an age where consumers actively say no to advertising; an age where everyone is an influencer that can make or break your brand; an age where content can be turned into commercial opportunity. Our talented team builds brands by finding connection points in the real world. We energise the right mix of talent, using the right platforms and latest technology to choreograph stories that make a real and meaningful impact for some of the world’s leading brands and businesses.We earn affection, attention, affinity and purchase by delivering value to people around the world, with deep specialisms across food & drink, travel & tourism, consumer tech, consumer health, automotive, sports sponsorship, entertainment & lifestyle and energy. We are known for:Develop data driven insights and strategies to drive measurable impactCreating impactful campaigns that tap into cultureCreating channel and platform agnostic campaigns that grow organicallyDelivering integrated campaigns that are earned-first but deliver for paid and ownedWhat’s happening?Weber Shandwick is hiring for a talented Senior Vice President (Director equivalent) to join our Public Affairs team in London. You’ll be part of a well-established team, where you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate across our outstanding Corporate Enterprise team, as well as with Weber Shandwick’s UK and international network; while being guided and supported by some of the PR industry’s leading corporate communications professionals.The Corporate Enterprise practice is made up of a smart, dedicated and fun team with expertise spanning B2B, Corporate, Public Affairs, Crisis/Issues, Social Impact/ESG and Technology.The ideal candidate will be able to draw upon experiences bringing knowledge and insight into a range of sectors and industries, combined with excellent client servicing and public affairs skills. You’ll also need a strong understanding of how politics and parliament work, how digital fits into wider integrated communications programmes, as well as brilliant technical writing skills, time management and a keen eye for detail when it comes to managing project progress.The successful candidate will demonstrate the following key attributes:CLIENT AND WORKOwn responsibilities for leadership of multiple client public affairs programmes and budgetsServe as primary or day-to-day client contact on public affairs accountsServe as trusted advisor, counsellor and business partner to key client contacts across a variety of sectors including tech, insurance and retail.Successfully grow existing client budgets and pursue opportunities to engage other offices or Geos, specialty expertise, and IPG agencies to provide fully integrated marketing programs/experience for clientsLEADERSHIP AND TALENT DEVELOPMENTEffective deputy head of the public affairs team, and part of the public affairs specific and corporate enterprise senior leadership teamsMentor and empower the public affairs team to do their best work, impress clients and grow remitsActively seek out own learning and advances skills (leadership and professional expertise) to better develop and coach othersSpearhead consultancy projects focused on team culture, staff education and skill buildingModel consultancy values by actively sponsoring/mentoring emerging diverse leaders and diverse staff across all levelsManage team/direct reports and coach diverse set of employees within and outside of team to develop and advance our next generation of leadersSet tone for inclusive hiring on team, partnering with Talent Acquisition to establish and support inclusive hiring practicesIs responsible for billability of self and teamsGROWTH AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTIdentify opportunities for agency growth and innovation and lead key new business pitches/proposal processes and organic client growth effortsIdentify new business opportunities and contribute to the team’s pipelineExecute at least one idea per year that is turned into an agency case study and entered in industry awardsDemonstrate understanding and competency in facilitating client needs across agency offerings (digital, strategic planning, analytics, etc.); can articulate and activate against our full toolkit of expertiseAdvance industry/sector leadership and drives agency reputation through industry thought leadership and relationshipsBUSINESS ACUMENSuccessfully manage capacity, utilisation, resource management data, financial planning and proactively avoid revenue deficits and/or overservice, collaborating with project management and finance on scope updates, implicationsMaintain proactive communication with Finance partners and provide as much notice as possible regarding changes in client budgets and/or staffing issues/changes; Enact solutions to make up any deficits in order to meet agency financial commitmentsConsistently and effectively communicate and support information regarding staffing, expenses, budgets or other initiativesPartner with Finance, HR, and office leadership to identify hiring needs/recommendationsDevelop knowledge of office P&L statementsTo be considered for this role, you must have at least six years of public affairs agency experience.Ideal Experience Required:Ideally you will possess many of the above skills and attributesExperienced public affairs focused account lead at a consultancyWith a passion for politics and public policy, you know how to make a strong case that will win the argument and have a track record of developing and delivering effective campaignsUnfraid to ask questions and to challenge clients’ and colleagues’ perspectives when necessaryHighly organised with exceptional attention to detailDemonstrable experience in politics and communications. Your experience combines stakeholder engagement and policy insightAn excellent political network with exceptional knowledge and understanding of how government and parliament operate.Able to digest complex information and understand how it relates to the political agendaA prolific consumer of political and business news. You’re on top of current affairs, allowing you to help clients anticipate issues and opportunitiesA proven track record in managing people and projects successfullyFluency in digital/social media platforms, with an appetite to learn moreJoin us and help make an impact. Together, we’ll set the bar, cheer each other on and multiply your potential.Core Benefits:Private medical insuranceGroup life assuranceGroup income protectionEmployee Assistance ProgrammeBuy or sell holidayAdditional life assurance coverCritical illness insuranceTravel insuranceHealth screeningCycle to work schemeHealth cash planFlexible working with our 3:2 hybrid work modelEquivalent of $250 USD for new joiners on 6 month + contract to support home working setup25 days’ annual leave (in addition to public holidays) plus 2 volunteering days, birthday day off work and discretionary festive closureFlexible public holidaysSweets and snacks in the officeExclusive shopping discounts and perksSeason ticket loanLong service bonusEnhanced family leaveInclusive and invisible health policiesMonthly social events organised by the Manchester office’s Culture ClubNote from the Talent Team:We appreciate the time taken to apply for the role and your recent interest in Weber Shandwick. We will review all applications within five working days and be in touch with those who have been shortlisted to the next stage. Unfortunately, due to volume we are not able to get back to everyone individually, so if you have not heard back from us, you have not been successful on this occasion and we wish you all the best in your search.At IPG DXTRA we are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.#LI-LM1We make our careers website accessible to any and all users. If you need an accommodation to participate in the application process, please contact us at JobAppAccommodation@ipgdxtra.com. This email address is not for general employment inquiries or vendors; rather it is strictly for applicants who require special assistance accessing our employment website. Due to volume, messages sent to this email address that are not related to an accommodation cannot be answered.The officeWe encourage employees to spend 2-3 days in the office each week, with Tuesday and Thursday as our traditional anchor days where the majority of the team will be in. We will be moving to a brand new office space in Spinningfields, offering a collaborative space with various work environments and on-site facilities as described. It includes a residential-style office, multiple spaces, an on-site gym, coffee shop, and more.A beautiful residential office in a vibrant co-working spaceA plethora of work spaces from break out areas to board roomsAn on-site gym, coffee shop, bar, bike storage and eventsFully stocked in-office drinks fridgeNearby food and shopping optionsNote from the Talent Team:We appreciate the time it takes to apply for the role and will review all applications within five working days. If you have not heard back, you were not successful on this occasion.We are a Disability Confident Employer and are committed to equality of opportunity for all.#LI-LM1We create cultural value and help brands navigate the ever-changing age of earned: an age where consumers actively say no to advertising; an age where everyone is an influencer that can make or break your brand; an age where content can be turned into commercial opportunity. Our team builds brands by finding connection points in the real world. We energise the right mix of talent, using platforms and technology to choreograph stories that make a real impact for some of the world’s leading brands. We are known for:Developing data driven insights and strategiesCreating impactful campaigns that tap into cultureChannel and platform agnostic campaigns that grow organicallyIntegrated campaigns earned-first but delivering for paid and ownedWhat’s happening?We are looking for a highly-experienced Account Director to join our Consumer team in London on a 6 month FTC. You’ll supervise client work across global and local markets, provide counsel and strategic direction, and motivate the team to deliver outstanding work.What will you be doing?Develop and maintain positive client relationships and improve delivery qualityProvide strategic counsel and define effective solutions for clientsLead the delivery of high-quality earned activity and manage third partiesBrief and inform account teams; set clear goals and tasksManage client expectations, team resources and deliverables for major campaignsCoordinate across disciplines with social media strategies and influencer programsMonitor media coverage and leverage digital channelsUnderstand industry issues affecting the clientPrepare media materials and conduct media outreachDevelop relationships with media and brainstorm ideasCollaborate with partner agencies in a client integrated teamWho are you?Brilliant understanding of earned stories and multi-channel distributionExcellent communicator with fast relationship-buildingStrategic mindset and trend awarenessProven project management across multiple teamsStrong social/digital acumen and influencer program experienceCore Benefits:Private medical insuranceGroup life assuranceGroup income protectionEmployee Assistance ProgrammeBuy or sell holidayAdditional life assurance coverCritical illness insuranceTravel insuranceHealth screeningCycle to work schemeHealth cash planFlexible working with our 3:2 hybrid modelEquivalent of $250 USD for new joiners on 6 month+ contracts to support home working setup25 days annual leave plus 2 volunteering days, birthday off and festive closureFlexible public holidaysSweets and snacks in the officeDiscounts and perksSeason ticket loanLong service bonusEnhanced family leaveInclusive health policiesMonthly Manchester office culture eventsNote from the Talent Team:We appreciate the time to apply and will review all applications within five working days. If not shortlisted, you may not be contacted. IPG DXTRA Disability Confident Employer statement included.#LI-LM1We make our careers website accessible. If you need accommodation, contact JobAppAccommodation@ipgdxtra.com. #J-18808-Ljbffr