Associate Director - Crisis

We are seeking an experienced Associate Director with a corporate background and specialism in issues and crisis communications. Alongside one other, the person will be directly handling high level issues and crises across our broad range of clients and in a number of sectors, in addition to wider corporate reputation management work.  The role will include working with companies and individuals on communications positioning and framing corporate narratives, defining issues management strategies and leading on media relations.  

Reporting into the Business Partner you will use a combination of traditional, technology & data and investigative driven techniques, to help lead our day-to-day crisis activity working with global businesses, business leaders, FMCG brands and individuals on crisis and issues preparation, media management, and providing overarching senior counsel on a 24/7 basis. The ideal candidate will ideally be able to demonstrate expertise in leveraging technology for real-time communication, data analysis, and strategic messaging in highly sensitive and pressured.

• Leading a 24/7 crisis offering working into the Business Partner / lead 

• Providing immediate communications support for senior clients on developing reputational issues, including out of hours assistance as the primary client contact 

• Securing the confidence of colleagues as a senior communications advisor on a wide range of corporate communications issues and disciplines

• Develop our use of technology platforms to horizon scan, understand temperament and support decision making 

• Stress testing client crisis strategies through issues workshops and crisis simulations

• Developing corporate positioning, messaging and narrative frameworks to address crisis situations

• Driving corporate reputation strategies to help both major global businesses and challenger brands tell their stories in an impactful way

• Developing creative corporate communications strategies and campaigns for diverse clients and issues and ensuring their successful delivery

• Participating in, and leading, new business development, including originating leads and managing pitch meetings, presentations and proposals

• Contributing strategy and solutions to new business efforts and proactively introducing new ideas to improve our offering

• Proactively building internal and external networks with colleagues, opinion leaders, journalists, professional associations, online influencers and other relevant third parties

• Line managing and mentoring junior team members, including responsibility for their evaluation and professional development

• Embrace our cornerstones of Love & Work, which require a passion for what we do and an ability to persevere. In addition, you will take an active role in our belonging values – collaborating to achieve common goals, connecting with one another in an authentic way, sharing our perspectives and embracing others, and actively supporting each other and our experiences.

• Have at least ten years’ experience gained in an agency environment or through leading a busy in-house team at the sharp end of issues management

• Previous exposure working with AI, social media monitoring, and crisis communication platforms

• Direct and demonstrable experience dealing with high-profile issues and crises for global corporate clients or business leaders

• Excellent time management skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment, managing your own work and that of others

• Demonstratable connections across media both traditional and online

• Experience in a senior management role leading people and teams, and a track record in industry leading corporate campaigns

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to influence clients and colleagues

• Enthusiasm and a ‘can-do’, proactive attitude

• Ability to interact with and gain the trust of senior clients and colleagues