Our Brands team at Sauce Communications are seeking a Senior Account Executive to join their team on a permanent basis. The brands team look after key brands such as Woodford Reserve, Eataly, Diplomatico and Pasta Evangelists and this is an amazing opportunity to take the lead on media relations and client services for these and similar accounts.
We have a wonderful flexible hybrid working pattern, amazing benefits operating from our Shephards Bush office Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday with work from home Monday and Friday.
We’re seeking a member to join our team with good people skills, strong writing ability and a keen interest in and understanding of the media landscape, including digital and social.
Senior Account Executives are a crucial part of the client account teams, driving coverage to meet KPIs, inputting into weekly and monthly client activity reports, updating media lists, staying abreast of key journalists, influencers and working collaboratively with their respective account teams and fellow executives. They may also be managing interns and work experience team members. At Senior Exec level they will also be attending client meetings, independently meeting with journalists and starting to take on a wider responsibility and more accountability.
Accountabilities
Direct reporting to: Account Manager / Account Director
Sauce Senior Account Executive – Roles and Responsibilities
Agency Business
- Understand and meet guidelines on best business practices including office administration duties, daily timesheets, timely expense reports etc
- Working within Sauce specific guidelines, internal meetings, formats and ways of working
- Support PR Assistant and work experience members on office administration duties
- Participate in professional learning and training opportunities for personal continued growth
- Participate in team brainstorms on relevant accounts and new business.
- Support research and media audits for new business proposals, attend meetings and pitches
- Support AM and AD team members to ensure smooth integration of new business, creating and working to critical paths
- Maintain and build industry knowledge to gain familiarity with ‘movers & shakers’ in business and media
- Act as an ambassador to Sauce – both internally and externally
Client Service
- Support and maintain day-to-day client relationships – in conjunction with Account Managers - and actively support client satisfaction levels
- Understand client and team feedback to constantly strive to build and improve our service and outcomes for clients
- Maintain regular phone or written contact to keep key clients appraised of work progress,and work with account team to assess PR results against client expectations
- Maintain daily communication with clients – sending daily coverage, weekly activity updates and preparing monthly reports
- Write press releases, social media posts, media invitations, etc pertinent to all clients’s business – understanding specific styles and requirements
- Read key publications daily. Share findings and implications for the business with your client, team or broader agency
- Have active understanding and awareness of industry and sector issues, technology and products, in order to build knowledge around clients’ business and media
- Support AD and AM in preparation of client annual review and proposals
Media Relations
- Serve as day-to-day contact with media and influencers on clients’ behalf
- Build and manage media lists for all announcements / events / campaigns
- Work with account teams to ensure media KPIs delivery, along with individual client teams
- Research, understand and anticipate media interests, needs and preferences, building relationships with journalists and influencers
- Continue to service press and contacts, developing understanding of their needs and specific interests
- Professionaly and promptly handle and respond to incoming media enquiries
- Proactively place news and stories with target media relevant to client products and services – working to deliver coverage to meet KPIs
- Attend media meetings and networking events to further build contacts and beneficial relationships
- Confidently answer media questions and requests, coordinate requests for product and interviews and provide useful information.
- Thorough knowledge of target media, and sharing that knowledge with wider team
Digital Skills
- Ensure clear understanding of digital and social media opportunities. Activate execution of digital and social media campaigns
- Identification of appropriate digital channels and techniques to support client needs
People Management
- Coach, mentor and motivate JAE and PR assistants
Internal Company Responsibilities
Delivery and management of company responsibilities – to be advised per team member
Competencies
- Positive and ambitious team player
- Understanding of and contacts within target media and influencer landscape
- Understanding of shifting digital & social media landscape
- Growing knowledge of industry sector
- Confident communicator & relationship builder and owner – internal and external
- Strong writing skills – releases, day to day communications with clients and media
- Organized and methodical – managing own time and meeting deadlines
- Results orientation and understanding of overall aims and specific KPIs
- Growing sense of decision making/judgement
- Knowledge sharing across the agency
- Growing market awareness within our business sectors
- Personal sense responsibility and ownership of responsibilities
- Supporting change across the agency
Personal skills
- Highly motivated, ambitious, flexible and conscientious
- Personable, diplomatic and confident communicator
- Act as ambassador for Sauce, embracing our mission, vision and values
Qualifications & Experience
- Degree level qualification, or equivalent
- Previous Public Relations or similar industry experience
- Active digital and social media prowess
- An active interest in Sauce client sectors – restaurants, food, drink & travel
