Account Director

Cognito; London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Cognito, a prominent communications agency, seeks an experienced Account Director in London. You will manage key client accounts, drive PR strategies, and lead account teams. Ideal candidates possess strong client management expertise and demonstrate successful leadership in communications. Join us to elevate our clients' brand narratives and foster business growth through strategic storytelling.

Benefits

Continuous learning opportunities

Collaborative team culture

Qualifications

• Experienced PR and communications leader with a strong track record managing significant client accounts.
• Proven expertise working with clients in financial services, technology, and/or climate transition sectors.
• Outstanding relationship-building skills with a proven ability to develop trusted partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Oversee a portfolio of key client accounts and drive strategic PR initiatives.
• Develop and execute strategic PR plans aligned with clients' goals.
• Lead and mentor account teams and conduct performance reviews.
• Drive business development and revenue growth from existing client accounts.

Skills

Client Management

Strategic Communications

Stakeholder Management

Leadership

Business Development

Crisis Management

Media Relations

Financial Acumen

Content Strategy

Social Media Expertise

Job description

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Our identity

Cognito is a full-service communications agency working at the intersection of finance, technology and the climate transition. We have a strong international footprint with offices across the U.S., Europe and Asia Pacific.

Our strength is in our specialization and our clients trust our deep knowledge and expertise. We work with leading global brands and innovative start-ups.

Our global team is deeply connected across international markets, collaborating with journalists, influencers, clients, experts and partners. We help clients strengthen their reputation, and drive business growth by harnessing the power of storytelling and strategic use of earned, paid, shared and owned communications channels.

Continuous learning and curiosity keep us at the forefront of the latest developments, which gives us an edge to cultivate knowledge when working with our clients to communicate what is next.

This starts with our people and our values:

• We celebrate difference by bringing together the best talent from varied backgrounds, tied together by an innate intellectual curiosity to connect meaningfully.
• Through our drive to champion excellence, we strive to lead the way to a connected, sustainable and responsible future.
• We are hungry to understand the problems organizations face.
• We are focused on driving business outcomes for our global clients.
• We are creative and agile - leading to smart strategies and exceptional work.

Position Overview

As an Account Director, you will be responsible for overseeing a portfolio of key client accounts, driving strategic PR initiatives, and providing leadership to account teams. You will manage multiple large accounts, providing frequent senior touchpoints and client counsel. This role requires exceptional client management skills, a proven track record in stakeholder management, team leadership, and strategic communications planning.

Key Responsibilities

• Client Leadership and Management: Serve as the primary point of contact and trusted advisor for key client accounts, fostering strong relationships and understanding their business objectives, challenges, and opportunities.
• Strategic Planning: Develop and execute strategic PR plans aligned with clients' goals, ensuring high-quality deliverables and timely execution of campaigns across multiple channels. Focus on tactical and strategic communications that drive measurable client outcomes.
• Team Management: Lead and develop account teams, conducting performance reviews, providing constructive feedback, and identifying opportunities for skills enhancement and career advancement. Specifically manage team performance within dedicated account groups.
• Revenue Growth: Be responsible for client retention, upselling existing clients, and achieving net-new business revenue targets within your portfolio.
• Business Development: Identify and pursue opportunities for organic growth within existing client accounts, contribute to new business pitches, and expand the agency's client base.
• Campaign Management: Oversee the development and execution of strategic communications campaigns, ensuring they meet client objectives and align with their business goals.
• Content Strategy: Guide the creation of high-quality content across various formats and channels, including social, ensuring consistency, creativity, and strategic alignment.
• Financial Management: Take ownership of account profitability, budget management, and resource allocation across your client portfolio. Ensure financial performance and efficiency of managed accounts.
• Crisis Management: Provide expert counsel during sensitive situations and crises, developing and implementing effective response strategies.
• Media Relations: Develop and maintain relationships with senior journalists and key industry influencers to secure quality coverage for clients.
• Information Flow: Ensure accurate and timely information flow to senior management regarding account status, challenges, and opportunities.

Skills and Experience

• Experienced PR and communications leader with a strong track record managing significant client accounts and account teams within an agency setting; consistently delivers successful programs, drives client satisfaction, and demonstrates clear leadership development in previous roles
• Proven expertise working with clients in financial services, technology, and/or climate transition sectors.
• Proven expertise working with clients across the full range of financial services, insurance, fintech, climate/sustainability, technology, asset management, banking, capital markets, and wealth management sectors.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple large accounts and complex client relationships at a senior level.
• Outstanding relationship-building skills, with a proven ability to develop trusted, long-lasting partnerships with diverse clients, including senior and C-suite stakeholders, by adapting communication style and focusing on client priorities.
• Demonstrated experience in collaborating across teams, resolving challenges constructively, and fostering loyalty and respect among both clients and colleagues
• Consistent success in growing revenue through client retention, upselling, and new business development.
• Exceptional leadership qualities with extensive experience providing guidance and development opportunities to team members.
• Advanced strategic thinking abilities with proven capacity to translate client business objectives into effective communications strategies.
• Strong commercial acumen with comprehensive understanding of business metrics and financial management relevant to client engagements
• Strong working knowledge of business, financial, and operating models across all major sectors-able to identify and explain key developments (earnings, funding, investments, deals, regulations, competition, sustainability trends) and turn these into actionable communications for clients, including C-suite and board-level stakeholders. Refers highly technical or sensitive matters to senior leadership if required.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present complex ideas clearly and persuasively, and to write impactful copy for clients, agency marketing, and thought leadership content.
• A well-established network of media contacts and industry relationships; able to leverage and expand these networks for effective client outcomes.
• Strong expertise in social media with thorough knowledge of integrated multi-channel PR campaigns across all media models.
• Confident providing issues and crisis management counsel, including drafting rapid response communications and guiding clients with poise under pressure
• Encourages a productive, collaborative, and positive team culture.

Organizational Relationships:

• Reports to Associate Director or Director
• Works with account teams at both a local and global level, ensuring client needs are met
• Works with teams at both a local and global level, to share knowledge, best practices and communications trends and/or resources

Managerial Responsibilities:

• Direct management of account teams including conducting performance reviews, providing feedback, and supporting career development
• Responsible for direct reports' training, retention, utilization and workload management
• Oversee team performance and ensure quality standards across all client deliverables
• Mentor and coach team members to develop their skills and advance their careers