Account Director, Sustainability, Social Impact and Purpose

The Edelman sustainability, social impact and purpose team is growing. We help build trust between companies, institutions and citizens. We advise Edelman’s biggest clients on their strategies and programmes to deliver positive social and environmental impact and build their reputation with all stakeholders, from investors to consumers. We develop and deploy stand out purpose positioning and communications that stand-out in culture. Today our work includes advising organisations across Edelman’s enviable client list including Unilever, IKEA, Mars, Astra Zeneca, Haleon, Chanel and WBCSD.

With deep specialist expertise, complemented with a passion for the potential for effective action-led communication to drive real impact in the world, you will help the world’s biggest brands connect with their audiences, by working collaboratively across the entire Edelman network to deliver measurable societal, reputational and commercial impact. We work in close partnership with our research and strategy colleagues, and client teams in our Brand and Corporate practices.  

In order to continue to grow and deliver at a pace, we’re now looking for an energetic, curious and ambitious Account Director to play a critical role in supporting the key accounts of this specialist function, with a particular focus on sustainability and purpose strategy and storytelling campaigns. This role is based in London with the opportunity to work on EMEA and global projects.

You will also work in collaboration with senior team colleagues to continue to build and refine our offer and product set, using key insights and Edelman’s owned IP, particularly the Trust Barometer.

Key Responsibilities

• Serving as the daily client contact and as client lead when appropriate, earning the trust of clients to deliver day to day work as well as providing proactive counsel on selected sustainability, social impact topics
• Supporting with research, landscaping and analysis to inform strategies and to provide informed consultancy to clients
• Competent communication of complex, systemic and interconnected issues related to the environment and society
• Playing a key role within integrated Edelman teams, leading the research, planning and development of impact strategies and campaigns, including preparing change theories and landscaping potential third-sector partnerships to deliver societal impact
• Corporate and brand sustainability communications narrative development
• Media relations including story and message development, creating and driving outreach plans, writing/editing press releases, social media content, articles, speaking to journalists regularly to secure coverage/briefings, briefing spokespeople, and ongoing development of own media contacts particularly in the sustainability space
• Overseeing quality and operational performance of accounts, ensuring work quality and deadline adherence for junior members of teams, providing close coaching and development
• Continuing development of junior team members and line management responsibilities
• Providing support on new business pitches – research, slide development, driving forward process including work back plans and managing junior teams’ input
  
  

Experience, Skills And Qualifications Required

• Proven experience working with leading businesses and brands on sustainability, social impact or purpose strategies and campaigns – a breadth of experience across environmental and social sustainability campaigns is preferred
• Strong, proven track record of client relationship development
• Strong writing and presentation skills
• Confidence in working with multidiscipline client side teams – for example, experience working with corporate affairs, marketing, sustainability, procurement and HR teams within a client organisation
• Knowledge of theories of change, behaviour change, impact measurement and reporting
• Proven ability to develop and manage multistakeholder partnerships focused on positive environmental and societal impact
• Experience of bold creative idea development and best in class delivery of campaigns end to end
• Knowledge of digital and other technologies for storytelling and communications
• Experience of working with brand research and social impact measurement
• Global experience and mindset: understanding of diverse global market needs and cultural nuances.
• Demonstrated personal interest, curiosity and knowledge in the challenges and solutions in creating a just and regenerative world
  
  

Edelman is a global communications firm that partners with businesses and organizations to evolve, promote and protect their brands and reputations. Our 6,000 people in more than 60 offices deliver communications strategies that give our clients the confidence to lead and act with certainty, earning the trust of their stakeholders. Our honors include the Cannes Lions Grand Prix for PR; Advertising Age’s 2019 A-List; the Holmes Report’s 2018 Global Digital Agency of the Year; and, five times, Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work. Since our founding in 1952, we have remained an independent, family-run business. Edelman owns specialty companies Edelman Data & Intelligence (DxI) and United Entertainment Group (entertainment, sports, lifestyle).

For more information please visit: www.edelman.com

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