PR Business Director

We are seeking an experienced Business Director to lead and grow a portfolio of global communications accounts spanning public sector, international development and philanthropy clients including leading foundations, multilateral institutions and UN agencies. Accounts can span a wide range of tasks from leveraging media relations to promote brand reputation, visibility and trust to leveraging media relations as part of integrated creative advocacy or resource mobilization campaigns across global and social issues.

Strategic Client Leadership

• Serve as the senior day-to-day lead across accounts, empowering the talented existing team to grow in their roles too.

• Advise C-suite and senior leadership teams on reputation management, stakeholder engagement and communications strategy.

• Develop integrated annual communications strategies aligned to organisational objectives.

• Anticipate emerging risks and opportunities and provide proactive strategic counsel.

• Lead complex global initiatives spanning multiple geographies, audiences and stakeholder groups.

• Oversee international media engagement programmes across top-tier global, regional and specialist media.

• Ensures consistent frequency of high quality media hits for our clients.

• Build and maintain relationships with influential journalists, editors and opinion formers.

• Lead executive profiling, thought leadership and media training programmes.

• Manage crisis and issues communications where required.

• Ensure all communications activity enhances organisational credibility, trust and influence.

• Design engagement programmes targeting policymakers, donors, governments, multilateral organisations, partners and civil society.

• Develop advocacy narratives that translate complex policy and technical issues into compelling stories.

• Support high-profile moments including international summits, UN General Assembly, COP, Davos and major global forums.

• Advise on coalition-building and partnership communications initiatives.

• Lead and/or be part of multidisciplinary teams across PR, social media, digital, content, creative and paid amplification. Role of BD will depend on whether a paid, owned or earned centric campaign.

• Maintain excellent standards of project management and quality assurance.

• Oversee budget management, forecasting and commercial performance.

• Manage and mentor account directors, account managers and account executives.

• Foster a collaborative, high-performance team culture.

• Lead resource planning across accounts.

• Oversee team development and objective setting.

• Identify opportunities to expand client relationships and grow account revenue.

• Lead proposals, pitches and strategic growth conversations.

• Contribute to wider agency thought leadership and marketing activities.

• Support the agency’s growth across the global development, philanthropy and multilateral sectors.

• Strong experience advising senior leaders and executive stakeholders.

• Proven track record managing large international communications programmes.

• Excellent understanding of global development, international affairs, sustainability.

• Strong project management capabilities ensuring slick and seamless delivery across complex communications programmes.

• Strong network of relevant media and wider key opinion former contacts.

• Strong media relations experience across international media markets.

• Outstanding writing, presentation and narrative development skills.

• Experience managing multimarket communications programmes.

• Demonstrable financial and commercial management experience.

• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams.

• Experience working with governments, foundations, development banks, UN agencies or international NGOs.

• Knowledge of climate, health, economic development, migration or humanitarian issues.

• Experience supporting communications around major international events and summits.

• Strategic thinker with sound judgement.

• Confident adviser to senior leaders.

• Commercially minded and growth oriented.

• Highly collaborative and diplomatic.

• Calm under pressure and comfortable managing ambiguity.

• Curious about global affairs and societal challenges.

• Passionate about communications that create measurable impact.