PR Account Director

PR Account Director for Award-Winning Dubai Agency

Brazen MENA, a leading and award-winning PR agency is looking to hire a PR Account Director to join its growing team in Dubai. While experience of the UAE is a plus, this is not a necessity and the role is open to those proactively seeking opportunities in Dubai.

A critical role on the team, the PR Account Director manages day-to-day client relationships and ensures the best performance is achieved for both client and consultancy.

The PR Account Director, 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 their accounts. They are also involved in new business development, as well as being responsible for coaching junior members of the team.

Knowledge & Experience

Must have extensive experience in communications – at least 6-8 years+
Can be an established PR Senior Account Manager looking to make the move up to Account Director
Awareness and competence across all communication platforms – and emerging platforms to ensure that programmes utilise the correct channels and vehicles to reach target audiences and influencers
Agency experience is a must

Client & Account Management

Have a very clear understanding of the client business, internal and external politics, budgetary constraints, PR needs and be able to use this knowledge to help solve client problems
Has comprehensive knowledge and understanding about clients’ organisations and their 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, with minimal support from the Director
Regarded as a valued and trusted adviser by clients whose counsel is regularly sought on relevant communications matters
Any issues relating to the agency/ client relationship are promptly identified and proactively addressed and flagged to the Director
Ability to nurture all client relationships and key stakeholders within client organisations

Communication

Very 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
Feedback from all levels is invited, carefully listened to and responded to in a timely manner with 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 of difficulty
Ensure that the junior team is effectively briefed and managed
Ensure that relationships in the team work effectively and be responsible for solving inter team issues
Able to adapt 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 good work and celebrates 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 your 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 a 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

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.