PR Account Director – Consumer Job in Johannesburg, Randburg 2018

Edelman SA : PR Account Director – Consumer Vacancy Jan 2018

Job description

Possesses deep understanding of client businesses

• Ability to create programs considering a variety of platforms, channels and audiences
• Ability to identify business problems that clients are looking to solve and ensure they are understood by team
• Maintains understanding of the clients’ businesses, priorities, pain points and competitive landscape and helps the team do the same
• Stays knowledgeable about markets, sectors and channels in which clients operate; uses internal/external resources to address knowledge gaps for self and team
• Anticipates what’s next; helps clients get ahead of issues and capitalise on new opportunities
• Demonstrates empathy for clients – understands clients’ mindset, challenges (personal, professional, internal and external) and barriers to success; takes appropriate action
• Balances the needs of the client and the needs of the firm

Assembles, builds and leads integrated teams

• Reflects our understanding of clients’ needs today and our anticipation of their future needs
• Can evolve, promote and protect clients’ interests
• Delivers integrated thinking rooted in insights
• Helps delineate team roles and manage intra-team conflict
• Holds self and team accountable for performance, compliance and ethical business conduct in accordance with firm values
• Deals with poor team performance via feedback and escalation as necessary
• Leverages Edelman resources
• Serves as clients’ advocate within Edelman and facilitates understanding of their business, goals and point of view
• Helps facilitate proper expertise against client needs
• Helps identify and mentors junior and mid-level staff
• Prioritises growth of self and direct reports
• Helps create climate that encourages excellence, courage and integrity
• Supports leadership’s vision of possibilities and direction
• Helps implement and supports initiatives to create positive changes and helps others adapt to change

Measures, monitors and advances client-agency relationships

• Participates in client relationship mapping and development across a portfolio
• Actively listens – asks smart questions, listens to what’s not being said, is willing to have honest, ongoing dialogue about what’s working and what isn’t
• Identifies and acknowledges problems, offers solutions and course-corrects as needed
• Helps measure what matters – tracks progress and reports results based on agreed-upon metrics and achievement of business and communications goals
• Manages and monitors client relationships using formal and informal tools and touch points
• Helps navigate conflicts with other businesses
• Escalates client problems and client opportunities to Edelman senior leadership with equal amounts of urgency
• Participates in client budget management and forecasting; proactively addresses changes in scope and delays in client invoice payment
• Brings in new capabilities against client needs
• Participates in full new business process
• May participate in the development and adoption of new products, services, development of IP and thought leadership materials

Company Description

We are a leading global communications marketing firm with thousands of talented employees connecting, informing and creating inspiring work. We recalibrate brands to broaden awareness, reframe global positions and re-connect with core customers. Our business is to help you form relationships and effectively engage.

Requirements

• Strong communication – active listening and ability to persuade and negotiate
• Confidence in presenting ideas and providing counsel to internal and external audiences
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills
• Ability to manage competing interests
• High emotional intelligence
• Good judgment and willingness to take risks
• Forward-thinking
• Learns and builds from experience
• Understands industry specialty areas and roles