PR Senior Account Manager, bi-lingual

Hill & Knowlton; United Arab Emirates; Hybrid; AED 240,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global communications agency is seeking a seasoned Senior Account Manager for their Energy practice in the UAE. This role involves managing client relationships, developing PR strategies, and mentoring teams while ensuring exceptional service delivery. The ideal candidate should be bilingual and possess strong communication and project management skills.

Benefits

Professional Development Opportunities

Mentorship Programs

Vibrant Company Culture

Qualifications

• Bilingual proficiency required.
• Experience in PR and client management.

Responsibilities

• Manage client portfolios and exceed expectations.
• Develop and execute PR strategies.
• Mentor team members and facilitate growth.

Skills

Communication

Project Management

Analytical Skills

Job description

Burson is the global communications leader built to create value for clients through reputation. With highly specialized teams, industry-leading technologies and breakthrough creative, we help brands and businesses redefine reputation as a competitive advantage so they can lead today and into the future. When you work at Burson, you are part of a global community of lifelong learners who thrive at the edge of innovation.

Burson UAE is looking for a seasoned, bi-lingual Senior Account Manager to join our Energy practice. You'll be working across a range of clients in the Sustainability, Utilies, Climate and Oil & Gas space. Critical brands and strategies that shape the future of our planet

As a Senior Account Manager, you will be responsible for managing a portfolio of clients, ensuring that we meet and exceed their expectations. Lead and mentor teams, providing guidance, feedback, and support. You will work closely with the wider team to develop and execute effective communications strategies that deliver measurable results. Combine exceptional communication abilities with top-notch project management, cross-functional collaboration, and analytical skills to deliver impactful PR campaigns.

CLIENT

• Serve as the main point of contact and build strong relationships with clients. Understand their business objectives, needs, and challenges to provide strategic PR counsel. Maintain regular communication, address client concerns, and ensure client satisfaction.
• Strengthen client relationships through active listening and understanding of clients' needs and challenges.
• Develop comprehensive PR strategies and plans aligned with client goals. Identify target audiences, key messages, and appropriate communication channels. Collaborate with internal teams to execute integrated PR campaigns and initiatives.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with media professionals, journalists, and influencers. Pitch stories, press releases, and media opportunities to secure positive media coverage for clients. Monitor media coverage, track industry trends, and provide media analysis and insights to clients.
• Crisis Communication: Develop crisis communication plans and protocols to effectively manage potential reputational risks. Provide guidance and support during crisis situations, including developing key messages, managing media inquiries, and coordinating communication efforts.
• Understand and apply the central question model and articulate Burson’s new creative model to clients and prospects.
• Data Strategy & Innovation: Ensure insights and analytics are at the core of all PR strategies and campaigns. Identify opportunities to leverage the Burson suite of data and intelligence tools and methodologies to enhance client offerings.
• Develop and mentor team members, providing growth and development opportunities.
• Thought Leadership & Business Development: Establish industry thought leadership by contributing to publications, speaking engagements, and client workshops.

COMMERCIAL

• Identify new business opportunities within existing client accounts and participate in new business pitches and presentations. Collaborate with business development teams to develop proposals, budgets, and strategies to win new clients.
• Assist with fee recommendations and negotiations, budget monitoring, help to control over-servicing levels, staff planning, and align team hours with client revenues for profitability.
• Participate in new business pitches and make active contributions, understanding and articulating Burson’s new creative model.
• Ensure completion of timesheets weekly for both you and your team.

PEOPLE & BEHAVIOURS

• Consider Burson values and think about how you actively demonstrate these in your role
• Undertake line manager responsibilities, including goal setting, performance management, and career planning.
• Ensure direct reports are effectively onboarded to the agency’s creative agenda and fully understand Burson processes.
• Uphold agency vision and foster a culture of collaboration within teams.
• Inspire, motivate, and mentors junior team members to enhance their expertise.
• Support recruitment efforts and participates in Inclusive Interview training.
• Collaborate and connect with individuals across teams, sectors, practices, and specialisms.
• Manage conflicts and difficult client issues professionally and calmly.
• Deliver powerful presentations and facilitates internal idea generation sessions.
• Participate in relevant L&D opportunities, applying acquired knowledge daily and championing learning by example for junior team members.
• Stay informed on AI training; explores AI applications in their role while adhering to WPP guidelines and best practices.
• Focus on developing complementary skills such as creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence alongside AI proficiency.

#LI-RS1

At Burson, diversity, equity and inclusion are not just values; they are strategic imperatives that fuel our future in an industry built on the art of understanding, connecting and developing relationships. We believe that a diverse workforce is essential for inspiring bold ideas, fostering constructive dialogue and cultivating meaningful experiences that drive innovation and creativity. It also enables our agency to thrive and deliver brilliant work.

Our vision is for Burson to be the leading ‘academy company’ for creative communications professionals and emerging leaders. We provide a dynamic environment where ambitious colleagues come to elevate their skills, expand their networks, and ultimately, produce the best solutions for today’s leading brands. Our commitment to your growth is reflected in our robust benefits and people programs, which include professional development opportunities, mentorship programs with industry leaders, a vibrant and inclusive company culture fostering collaboration and innovation and packages designed to reward and retain top talent. We invest in our people because we believe their success is our success.

At Burson, we’re an agency of learn-it-alls. We recognize that the things we do best, creativity and communications, require a level of nuanced understanding. That’s why it’s imperative for us to hire extraordinarily talented people of all backgrounds and identities. Without that we can’t do the essential work of inspiring bold ideas, fostering constructive dialogue, cultivating meaningful experiences, and driving innovation and creativity for our partners. Your unique point of view—your talent—is what makes you a #BursonPerson, and it’s how we deliver exceptional results for our clients, together.

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

When you click the "Submit Application" button below, this will send any information you add below to Burson. Before you do this, we think it's a good idea to read through ourRecruitment Privacy Policy. California residents should read ourCalifornia Recruitment Privacy Notice. This explains what we do with your personal data when you apply for a role with us, and, how you can update the information you have provided us with or how to remove it.

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When you check the box and click the "Submit Application" button below, this will send any information you add above to Burson.

We think it's a good idea to read through our Recruitment Privacy Policy . California residents should read our California Recruitment Privacy Notice . This explains what we do with your personal data when you apply for a role with us, and, how you can update the information you have provided us with or how to remove it.