PR Senior Account Manager / Account Director - Public Affairs & Engagement Manchester

Red Consultancy; Greater Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading public relations firm in Greater Manchester seeks a Senior Account Manager / Account Director. You'll oversee engagement with clients in various sectors and lead project delivery. The role requires robust public affairs experience, stakeholder management skills, and a proven ability to draft high-quality written materials. Enjoy flexible work arrangements and numerous employee benefits, including generous holiday allowances and development opportunities.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

25 days' holiday plus additional leave

Monthly cash allowance for benefits

Employee referral bonuses

Cycle to work scheme

Regular team socials

Qualifications

• Public affairs experience with understanding of political landscape.
• Experience delivering campaigns engaging stakeholders.
• Ability to draft written materials across various styles.

Responsibilities

• Lead on key engagement activities and communicate progress.
• Create stakeholder engagement plans.
• Oversee the monitoring and analysis of projects.

Skills

Public affairs experience

Established network of political contacts

Experience in campaign delivery

Understanding of planning process

Client budget management

Strong written and verbal skills

Attention to detail

Job description

Overview

PR Senior Account Manager / Account Director - Public Affairs & Engagement

Location: Manchester

Working Pattern: Full time, hybrid working (3 days in, 2 flexible)

The day to day

We're looking for a Senior Account Manager or Account Director to join our North team. Working across transport, infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, engineering & professional services, you'll be responsible for day-to-day delivery on your accounts. You will be a primary point of contact for your clients and internal teams - both of which will trust your ability to deliver to the highest standards.

Responsibilities include:

• Creating solid stakeholder engagement plans and sharing best practice with junior colleagues
• Leading on key engagement activities and how progress is communicated to the clients
• Editing materials drafted by junior members of the team so that they are client/audience-ready and only require minor amends from senior colleagues
• Substantial input into new business proposals, with ideas for strategy and/or plans (with support from colleagues)
• Taking the lead on a variety of projects concurrently, meeting all deadlines and delivering positive results
• Responsibility for delivery and/or review of outputs
• Overseeing monitoring and analysis, helping draw key takeaways for the benefit of clients
• Reviewing reports to the highest standard
• Proactively identifying opportunities for organic growth and communicating to the team with recommendations

What will give you edge

• Public affairs experience, with an excellent understanding of both the local and national political landscape and policy
• Established network of political and business contacts to facilitate effective Public Affairs and Planning engagement
• Experience of delivering campaigns that engage communities, business and political stakeholders
• Understanding of the planning process and proven experience delivering effective communications and engagement for public consultations
• Experience specifically in Property, Energy, Transport/Logistics and/or Infrastructure would be advantageous
• Commercially aware and showing an ability to manage client budgets and review and action WIPS, with support from colleagues
• Demonstrate consistent innovative thinking to ensure accounts remain fresh
• Strong skills in conducting written and verbal engagement and be able to advise junior team members
• The ability to draft a variety of written materials across a range of styles, producing client-ready work, showcasing strong attention to detail
• Showcase confidence when presenting / speaking in a variety of instances as required

Our promises to you

• Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid working & flexi time and 4pm finishes on a Friday
• 25 days' holiday, increasing by one day every year up to 30 days.
• Additional day of leave on your birthday.
• Gifted time off over Christmas.
• A monthly cash allowance to use on the benefits most important to you. Whether it's subscribing to services like Netflix, dental insurance or gym membership, you'll have the freedom to choose how you enjoy it!
• Enhanced family-friendly policies.
• Free subscription to Calm app.
• Regular team socials in Leeds and Manchester.
• An abundance of development opportunities, through our learning and development programme (with courses ranging from commercial acumen, effective line management, preparing for a crisis, PowerPoint design excellence and much more)
• New business and employee referral bonuses.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme offering a 24/7 confidential advice line.
• Life assurance.

Get to know us

Grayling is the UK's best-connected communications agency, working across Consumer, Corporate, and Public Affairs. With nine UK offices and 20+ worldwide, we help brands make an impact through smart thinking, cultural insights, and creative ideas.

We've been on a huge journey the last year and have just been shortlisted for PRWeek UK's brand-new People and Places Awards 2025.

Our commitment at Grayling is to combine our employees' unique backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to build a more diverse and inclusive organisation that represents all of us and the businesses we work with. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and will consider all applicants regardless of age, gender identity, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, family or parental status, neurodiversity and disability status. If you need any adjustments during the application process, we're here to help - just let us know.