Account Executive

Award-winning communications agency Rostrum is looking for a PR Account Executive to join its London team. This is an exciting opportunity to build your career in public relations, working with clients across a range of sectors while developing skills in media relations, content creation, social media and client communications.

In this role, you’ll help deliver PR campaigns, draft press releases and articles, build relationships with journalists, monitor industry trends, and support clients in raising their profile. You’ll work as part of a supportive team and gain valuable experience in a leading B2B communications agency.

If you’re organised, creative, interested in current affairs, and have strong written and verbal communication skills, this could be the perfect next step for you.

ABOUT ROSTRUM

Rostrum is a full-service communications agency, offering PR, content and digital marketing, social media, training and design. We are among the UK’s top 5 B2B agencies and a PRWeek Top 100 agency, specialising in financial services, professional services, consumer and corporate work, as well as crisis management, influencer marketing and social strategies. Rostrum creates campaigns and content that help our clients punch above their weight and we measure everything we do, delivering exceptional value for client
budgets.

Rostrum believes that every employee has the right to contribute to the success of our clients and the company, and therefore will not tolerate discrimination in any form.

ABOUT THE ROLE

(The (below) duties listed in bold indicates ‘stretch goals’, which is what we’d expect to see from people going above and beyond
the basic requirements of the role and instead ‘stretching’ towards the next role up).

Public Relations:

• Contribute to a regular and ongoing PR plan and ensure it is kept up to date.
• Undertake and action tasks to ensure the PR plan is executed to agreed standards, suggesting ideas in line with current events / market conditions / industry developments / the client’s needs and priorities.
• Show an awareness of national and international current events and developments within fields of relevance and their implications for Rostrum and clients’ business fields.
• Contribute creative ideas to the team for both your personal clients and in team brainstorms.
• Have an understanding of ‘the bigger picture’ of our clients’ industry/products/services.
• Review all relevant media and other sources of information to develop own knowledge of clients’ relevant subject areas and update the team accordingly e.g. via emails, Teams messages and contributions during internal meetings and calls.

Communication:

• Draft press releases, reactive comments, blogs and thought leadership articles to a consistently high standard.
• Modify work and incorporate suggested changes within agreed timescales / deadlines.
• Use written language skills to inform, persuade and communicate messages effectively.
• Regularly contribute posts to the Rostrum blog.
• Speak confidently and clearly during meetings, presentations, and new business pitches.

Client Relationships:

• Establish and maintain positive relationships with clients, engaging with them on a day to day basis.
• Confidently discuss creative ideas with clients on calls and in face-to-face meetings.
• Respond promptly and effectively to client queries or problems, referring any issues to an Account Manager promptly.
• Understand and constantly bear in mind the client’s brief, services they require, key objectives and metrics that indicate success.
• Proactively prepare clear agendas and contact reports for client meetings and distribute these in a timely manner, according to company standards.
• Prepare comprehensive client reports according to company standards and within agreed timescales.

Working with the Media:

• Identify and progress relevant opportunities to secure coverage that is relevant and of a high quality.
• Report any successes / concerns regarding press coverage to Account Managers / Directors.
• Proactively manage and update relevant and targeted press lists according to the needs of the client / campaign.
• Consistently monitor relevant media for PR opportunities for clients, industry developments and creative angles.
• Track upcoming features / editorial calendars to pitch clients for relevant opportunities.
• Regularly analyse and evaluate media coverage to ensure targets are met.
• Understand who key journalists are and proactively build and maintain relationships with them through regular phone and email contact.
• Organise and attend press calls / meetings with relevant journalists and follow-up afterwards to maximise the opportunity.
• Pitch news stories and features to the media accurately and effectively, on phone and email.
• Arrange and attend press briefing calls / meetings with clients and relevant journalists.

Social Media:
*NB: This section largely applies for Account Executives who have clients with partial or full social media deliverables, but some base level knowledge around social media is required as you may work on clients needing social media services in the future.

• Draft social media copy for a variety of channels effectively, for both company and individuals’ pages as required.
• Use social media tools to interact and monitor developments with clients, their competitors, the media and other professionals, sharing insights with the wider team.
• Confidently present social campaign ideas in internal and client meetings.
• Support client and new business activity by conducting social listening analysis on our clients/prospects’ key audiences.
• Consistently monitor clients’ social media channels, flagging any negative sentiment to Account Managers/Account Directors/Heads of and suggesting a plan of action to present to the client.
• Support in the production of social media reporting, including databases of leads generated, if appropriate.
• Support the AMs/ADs with social media crisis response and monitoring where appropriate.

Teamwork:

• Proactively provide the team with support as required, including preparation and research for new business pitches.
• Proactively support your manager, suggesting new ideas and questioning thinking where appropriate.
• Foster good relationships with all internal departments and cross-functional teams.
• Support the development of other team members by sharing relevant experiences.
• Refer to senior team members for advice and support.
• Proactively update your AMs and account teams on your workload and activity on a daily basis, using Teams chats, emails and internal meetings.
• Provide regular updates on your clients at scheduled internal catch-up calls.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

About You

Through committed client relationships, an understanding of related specialist areas and current affairs, the Account Executive applies a variety of tactics to raise the profile of their clients, bolster their brand reputation, and position them as experts in their field. Account Executives have the scope to make their mark within the agency, yet are supported by a ‘safety net’ of advice and directional guidance from their managers.

Candidate Requirements

The Account Executive is expected to have the following skills and knowledge:

• Knowledge of fundamentals of PR industry.
• Aware of changing industry trends.
• Base level understanding of social media.
• Excellent time management and prioritisation skills.
• Strong relationships with relevant press.
• Positive client relationships.
• A sound understanding of clients’ products/services and market sectors.
• Good communication and teamwork.