Senior PR Account Manager at Brazen Middle East

Brazen MENA’s insights-driven strategic approach combined with award winning creativity and our mantra to go the extra mile makes us unique, and we are proud to be the first and only MENA agency to be crowned with PRCA MENA and MEPRA Small Agency of the Year award eight times from 2018 – 2023.

SUMMARY

Reporting to the Director, the Senior PR Account Manager (SAM) manages day-to-day client relationships and ensures the best performance is achieved for both client and consultancy.

The SAM, with the support of the Director, executes strategic and creative projects showing excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to be innovative in their approach.

In addition, they oversee client work at a high-level – and take full responsibility for the smooth running of theiraccounts. They are also involved in new business development, as well as being responsible for coaching junior members of the team.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

• Extensive experience in communications – at least 6-8 years+
• Awareness and competence across all relevant and emerging communication platforms to ensure that programmes utilise the correct channels and vehicles to reach target audiences and influencers
• Agency experience is a must

RESPONSIBILITIES

Client & Account Management
• Clear understanding of the client business, internal and external structure, budgetary requirements and PR needs
• Troubleshooting ability
• Comprehensive knowledge of clients’ organisations, associated market sectors and industries for the delivery of strategic communications counsel
• Strong client servicing skills, consistently demonstrating proactivity, credibility and authority in client relationships
• Act as valued and trusted adviser by clients whose counsel is regularly sought on relevant communications matters
• Promptly identify and address agency issues
• Ability to nurture all client relationships and key stakeholders

Communication
• High level written and verbal communications skills in English
• Regular and effective communication with the team on appropriate agency, client and team matters ensuring clarity, inclusion and high motivation levels amongst team members
• Invite continuous client feedback and expectations clearly set to ensure high satisfaction and advocacy levels
• Attention to detail in all areas is critical and must exude clarity throughout all communication

People Development
• Lead by example and delegate work at an appropriate level
• Ensure junior team is effectively briefed and managed
• Ensure that relationships in the team work effectively and be responsible for solving team issues
• Adaot management style in line with individual needs ensuring they too are flourishing and developing themselves
• Actively work with the Director to build team morale and give credit for successes
• Consistently drive creativity, problem solving and lateral thinking among junior team members by encouraging them to be proactive in coming up with ideas and suggestions for client projects/ increasing client media coverage

Media and Influencers
• Nurture on-going close relationships with a pool of journalists and influencers and listen to ideas pitched on behalf of clients
• Continue to extend media and influencer knowledge by regularly suggesting names of new and relevant journalists/ influencers to meet and take more junior team members to those meetings
• Take responsibility for complex media sell-ins to journalists personally known across relevant clients
• Expand media and influencer database at a senior level and have regular in person meetings
• Provide insight to the team and the agency about new developments in media outlets, journalists and techniques/ influencer platforms

Problem Solving & Lateral Thinking
• Demonstrate track record in delivering innovative and creative client solutions and ensure that creativity is built into all client solutions
• Continually develop strategic communications capabilities and be able to respond to more complex client briefs and longer-term programmes by showing capability in writing well thought-out proposals
• Develop well-considered responses to issues faced by clients
• Upwardly manage issues early and proactively suggest and manage thoughtful solutions on how best to combat any given problem, with the guidance of the Director

Project Management
• Take the lead on projects from start to end – ensure that all relevant processes are in place to ensure the smooth running of any account – and maximise agency and client benefit is gleaned from projects: from securing a written brief, running a brainstorm (or involving/ supporting relevant people), managing the ideas process/ presentation, client approval/ written sign-off on all materials from clients and an evaluation meeting at the end of a project
• Meet all deadlines, both internal and external as set by the Director
• Be fully accountable for projects and the press offices of retained clients where relevant
• Oversee all aspects of client reporting, both internally and externally
• Manage both upwards and downwards on projects and clients to ensure that all aspects of activity are running to a precise timeline – and flag any issues on this early to the Director

New Business
• Actively seek, develop and implement new business from existing clients through innovation, proactivity and excellence in delivery
• Constantly suggest new business/ leads/ strategies and ideas to support the Managing Partner/ Director
• Play a regular, active role in new business pitches, tenders and credentials from creating and following up leads and assessing the value of the business, to playing an integral part in securing new business through the proposal and pitching stages

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Monthly salary in line with GCC market rates
• 24 working days annual leave
• Private Healthcare & Freezone Resident Visa (or work permit if necessary)
• Hybrid working style (4 days per week in dynamic Media-City office)
• Wellbeing Wednesdays
• Rewards and Recognition, Team Events
• Regular training workshops, mentorship and professional coaching

Brazen MENA is equal opportunities employer, committed to building a positive, dynamic and inclusive workplace culture. We seek diverse talents throughout the globe, ensuring that all candidates are welcome regardless of their gender, religion, creed, doctrine, sect, caste, race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality, age, disability, marital or civil partnership status, social class, political belief, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability or physical appearance.

How to apply

Please send your cover letter and CV to careers@brazenmena.com