Account Director - Sustainability, Social Impact and Purpose - 12 month contract

The Edelman sustainability, social impact and purpose team is growing. We advise a range of Edelman’s biggest clients on their strategies and programmes to address social and environmental issues in order to build their reputation with a range of stakeholders, from investors to consumers. We develop and deploy stand out purpose positioning and highly successful brand and corporate communications for a wide range of clients. Today our work includes advising Unilever, IKEA, Mars, Starbucks, GSK, National Grid and many others and we have the opportunity to work with organisations from right across Edelman’s enviable client list.

Passionate about developing creative ideas underpinned by clear strategic thinking and deep specialist expertise, we help the world’s biggest brands connect with their audiences, we work collaboratively across the entire Edelman network to transform reputations and deliver measurable impact. We work in close partnership with our Strategy and Planning colleagues, and the 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 and ambitious Account Director to play a lead role in supporting the growth of this specialist function. This is a 12 month contract starting in August/September 2024, based in London.

• Advising clients confidently and maturely on impactful campaigns to drive reputation on environmental and social issues, including PR, digital, social and content creation and measurement
• Working alongside our two London-based sustainability, social impact and purpose Executive Directors on major client projects and pitches, and with the global Purpose team on appropriate opportunities
• Expert leadership and counsel for selected sustainability, social impact and purpose projects, providing expert advice to our clients and colleagues on their strategies and campaigns as part of an integrated team
• Designing and delivering social impact programmes for clients, often identifying and establishing partnerships with civil society and NGOs
• Taking responsibility for the continuing development of our offer and team, developing junior team members, and line management responsibilities
• Writing PR proposals and other strategic communications materials to grow existing accounts
• Support and develop Edelman’s IP and marketing initiatives, helping to develop our position in the market and maximising the role of the Edelman Trust Barometer for existing and potential clients

• Proven experience working with leading brands and businesses on sustainability, social impact or purpose strategies and campaigns – a breadth of experience across environmental and social activities and experience of developing and activating purpose is preferred but not essential
• Experienced in theories of change, behaviour change, impact measurement and reporting
• Proven ability to develop and manage multistakeholder partnerships focused on positive societal impact
• Strong, proven track record of high level client advisory and counsel
• 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
• Strong creative capabilities and best in class delivery of campaigns end to end
• Strong understanding of digital and other technologies for storytelling and communications
• Proven ability in identifying areas of growth and opportunity for clients
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to inspire and unite teams behind the offer, with experience of successfully selling in those concepts to clients and seeing them through to execution
• Global experience and mindset: understanding of diverse global market needs and cultural nuances

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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).

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