We are looking for an ambitious Account Director, who is passionate about the premium hospitality sector that shapes London culture, to join our team of experienced digital creatives and public relations strategists who are fluent in the language and culture of communications. If this fits you, please keep reading and apply today!At AKA, we live and breathe great stories about food, drink, travel and wellness on both local and global levels.Here at AKA, our restaurants and bars team continued to dominate the London openings landscape with multiple high profile launches as well as a distinguished portfolio of retained clients.Our luxury travel and wellness team continue to expand here at the London office with launches including boutique hotels and members clubs, as well as continued support for major international groups. Our VIP team has handled some of the most eagerly anticipated and high-profile events that take place in London.We are fiercely independent and fully integrated, delivering tailored public relations, marketing consultancy, powerful digital and social media management, synergistic partnerships, high profile event production, and business development.OverviewWorking closely with the Founders and Directors, the Account Director is the senior contact for clients and is responsible for ensuring the smooth running of the agency. You will play an integral role in growing the business and shaping its strategic direction alongside generating top-tier media coverage, overseeing launch events and working with world famous chefs.ResponsibilitiesClient Account Management: Showcase expertise in consulting at senior levels within client organisations and be acknowledged as a part of the senior leadership team and an influential figure in the industry. We pride ourselves on the longstanding nature of our client relationships and the value we place on client council and strategic support; manage budgets across the board including client fee structuring to uphold profitabilityMedia Relations: Forge and solidify weekly high-level media connections through face-to-face meetings; maintain and cultivate strategic media contacts (long-lead, short-lead, consumer media, trade and influencers), working to secure positive coverage for AKA clients in the media; secure tier one media large features using your wide experience across the entire media spectrum from broadcast to print; create top-tier key messages, media releases, Q&As, prepared remarks, standby statements, and other materials, including research, writing, editing, compiling, and dissemination across pertinent news and social media platforms; maintain active involvement in and relationships with creative communities including food, drink, travel, art, design and lifestyle communitiesCampaigns and Strategy: Strategise, execute, and manage national and global media relations campaigns across lifestyle, travel, food, drink and business media; create a media outreach strategy and timeline for launches aligned with the overall project schedule; work closely with Directors and project teams to smoothly incorporate creative programming into projects and ongoing client strategies, ensuring the successful execution of press and social media campaigns, special events, retail collaborations, and other deliverables; demonstrate a strong understanding of AKA’s vision, business goals, and the broader company context; ensure a minimum of 5 proactive media sell in pitches and 5 follow ups are conducted each week; capable of presenting and guiding credential decks for both clients and prospective new businessBusiness Development: Proactive participation in agency growth and development of new business pipeline; regularly lead new business brainstorms and pitches, educating and inspiring the team to seek new business opportunities; build strong relationships across various levels within the client’s organisation to explore new business opportunitiesLeadership: Inspire internal teams and oversee mid-level and junior team members, ensuring effective onboarding, training, development, and motivation to deliver exceptional work for AKA clients; actively oversee performance management, guiding probationary periods and performance evaluations, ensuring the setting and attainment of challenging and SMART personal development goals; champion the Company’s values and brandQualifications and SkillsProven leadership and management skills, with the ability to inspire a team by encouraging cooperation, collaboration and partnerships through sharing knowledge, skills and expertiseAbility to demonstrate strategic acumen consistently in day-to-day tasksSuperior high-level media contacts across broadcast, print and digitalEstablished relationships with influencers within AKA’s areas of focus, including food and drink, bars, restaurants, hospitality, nightlife, travel, lifestyle, music, art and cultureAble to identify communication opportunities across multiple media platformsExceptional problem-resolution skills, including the ability to think creatively and prioritise multiple assignments in a dynamic and fast-paced environmentAbility to be a team player in an environment that requires and rewards collaborationA sharp eye for detail is essentialExtremely well-organised, methodical and efficient, with a good dose of common sense and initiativeAbility to work efficiently in a high pressured and fast paced environmentA flair for creativity, strategic thinking and innovation with the ability to constantly generate and implement new ideas effectivelyExcellent project management skillsDiscreet, professional and articulate, with excellent communication skillsStrong MS Word skills; working knowledge of PowerPoint and ExcelStrong negotiation and delegation skillsAbility to be flexible with working hoursInternational press contacts are desirableAt AKA, we believe in the power of diverse voices and inclusive communities. We are committed to fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and strive to create a workplace that reflects the diverse clients and communities we serve.Seniority levelDirectorEmployment typeFull-timeJob functionSales and Business DevelopmentIndustriesPublic Relations and Communications ServicesWe’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI. #J-18808-Ljbffr