Public Affairs Account Director (Science & Innovation)

at  April Six

ABOUT US

We are April Six, a communications agency with 20+ years of experience helping science and innovation to have a bigger impact. Our Science & Innovation business works with some of the brightest people and organisations on the planet. Every day we handle subjects as diverse as particle physics, cell biology, sustainability, space, and AI.
We are curious thinkers united by purpose. Our team is made up of a diverse mix of scientists, journalists, strategists, policy experts, copywriters and creatives, all highly motivated by knowing that the work we do helps to make the world a better place.
We deliver a range of services to our client partners, with a focus on strategic communications within PR and public affairs disciplines. Through our position as part of the Mission Group, we are also able to offer clients specialist services across design, web development, video and animation, ABM and marketing tech, among others. Ultimately, we develop bespoke programmes that are rooted in our clients’ goals.
Role:
This is an exciting opportunity to shape public affairs services and accounts at a fast-paced agency, delivering work with purpose. We’re looking for someone with genuine enthusiasm and passion for the work we do here, so we’ll want to hear why working in science and engineering is exciting to you. Prior experience in this space is beneficial but not essential, as long as a keen interest is there.
The Account Director (Public Affairs) role is trusted to lead and grow key accounts where public affairs is a primary service. You will hold senior relationships within your client organisations and be capable of directing strategic programmes of work with a wide range of tactics and services for clients.
You will lead on important billable work (such as strategy development, stakeholder audits, messaging workshops and development, stakeholder engagement and events) and direct a team to deliver against broader scopes of work, holding responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work delivered.
As well as leading on clients within your own portfolio, you will support our wider client base by providing policy input and strategic consulting on all relevant accounts. You will act as a champion for best practice in the agency’s government relations and stakeholder engagement activities, share policy knowledge and developments with the team, and will help to upskill non- public affairs focused members of the team to be literate in policy matters and services.
This is a senior role in the agency that combines public affairs expertise and client account leadership with a place on the agency’s management team. As a member of the management team you will help to define and execute the agency’s business development strategy, as well as securing new revenue through the proactive identification and nurture of prospects. You will lead pitches and proposals for prospects to build-out your client portfolio, as well as contribute to those led by other senior members of the team.
Reporting to the Director of Client Services, you will act as a champion of client service best practice, propose changes to processes and practices to ensure greater efficiency and quality of service delivery, and carry out training and mentoring of staff to support retention of clients and staff alike.
You will also have the opportunity to be a direct line manager for more junior members of the team, and to take a leading role in one of our internal workstreams such as those working to maximise our community impact or enhance the team’s wellbeing.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Achieve income targets for the existing public affairs client base
• Support retention, profitability and health of client accounts
• Deliver organic growth of client accounts, including leading on proposals and pitches, and anticipate potential barriers to client health and growth
• Client budget management, agency financial forecasting and reporting
• Deliver billable strategic work and consultancy directly to clients and in support of account teams
• Champion client service best practice and work with Director of Client Services to optimise client service processes
• Support quality control by ensuring account teams adhere to internal systems and guidelines, and a high quality of communication is maintained internally and externally
• Initiate new business opportunities, run new business pitches and tender responses
• Lead business development activities of the S&I Business development strategy applicable to public affairs
• Support the implementation of agency-wide initiatives, such as via our workstreams
• Assist on the recruitment, retention, training and development of S&I team
• Effective line management of team members to ensure retention and progression
• Be at the forefront of developments in the industry in order to ensure best practice and innovation
• Collaborate with senior colleagues within the April Six Group to maximise best practice and Group team spirit
  Benefits:

Apart from working with a cracking bunch of people, we have a number of initiatives to help nurture our talent as well as some nice perks to make life a little easier:

• Room to Grow appraisal system with individualised growth objectives and real time feedback
• Professional development plan – we look to support skills growth with internal support and coaching, alongside online and in-person training and development opportunities
• 28 days holiday (plus bank holidays)
• Health care cash back scheme (giving you money back for health related fees such as dental appointments, contact lenses, prescriptions or physio)
• 24 hour GP phone or video consultations and a 24 hour helpline offering counselling and supportive information
• An hour every week to have a “Moment that matters for you” – to relax, exercise or pursue something that’s important to you
• A special gift every year on your work anniversary to say thank you for being a part of our team
• Lunch on the company once a month
• Whole agency bubbles for significant pitch wins
• Electric car leasing scheme
• Refer A Friend scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme

Please refer the Job description for details