Job Opportunity: PR Account Manager [Maternity Cover – 9-12mth contract]
Who are we?
Wimbart is a boutique public relations company with a heavy emphasis on Africa & emerging markets. We produce hyper-targeted, relevant & meaningful media campaigns for a range of international clients.
This is an exciting time for our agency. Our MD was recently listed in PR Week’s Powerbook, we have moved into beautiful new offices in Southwark, we are experiencing considerable growth and have secured a number of new accounts. We are now looking to build out our team with a highly-motivated, dynamic and experienced PR professional.
We work across technology, start-ups, entertainment, social enterprises, entrepreneurs and consumer products, to deliver memorable press campaigns. Our capabilities stretch far beyond traditional public relations agencies; we write beautiful copy, build brands and break big news stories. Why are we different? We don’t cut corners, we don’t stop until we achieve excellence, we don’t just send out pointless mass-mail shots and hope for the best. Instead, we curate our clients’ story and engage with journalists and commentators who we’ve spent years building relationships with, to deliver credible, powerful media presence for them.
Purpose of the Role:
Deliver visibility, provide strategic support and consultancy for Wimbart clients across the tech, start-up and entrepreneurial space, predominantly in Africa.
The Ideal Candidate:
This is a London-based role ONLY and we are unable to consider those who do not have the right to work in the UK
For this role, we are looking for a storyteller – someone who can consume and then condense detailed information and package it in a way that will engage international journalists and stakeholders.
A can-do, savvy and proactive PR Account Manager who has solid experience in pitching and securing widespread media coverage in predominantly business and tech outlets, primarily across Africa, but also in the US, UK and Europe, ideally.
Someone who thrives in a busy and self-starter environment, is motivated to work with a small, but fast-growing team, who has a strong sense of social purpose, and is accustomed to delivering impactful media coverage across different markets.
Someone who is confident with clients, providing timely counsel to them on a range of issues outside of the normal PR and communications activities.
Someone who has experience of managing small teams, and who will mentor and help Wimbart’s Account Executives as they grow in their roles.
Key Activities:
- To support the Managing Director and Account Management team in managing Wimbart clients
- To support the MD on a number of internal media and organisational activities
- Craft press releases, news stories, articles, case studies, media briefings and any other written materials for both clients and Wimbart – strong business writing skills is an absolute must for this role
- Manage Account Executives and their work-flow, as well as assisting in their continuous professional development
- Pitch press releases and feature ideas by email or telephone to national, regional and trade journalists, across print, broadcast and online
- Develop a network of media contacts in key target media and service the relationships by providing excellent service
- Respond to phone calls and emails from journalists and arrange interviews and editorial meetings with key journalists for clients’ spokespeople – in person or over the phone – and facilitate these meetings where appropriate
- Monitor wider news agenda for clients / sectors that Wimbart specialises in
- Support Wimbart’s social media strategy including Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn page on a day-to-day basis, with a key focus on growing online followers through imaginative, thought provoking, regular posts and updates.
- Keep up-to-date with industry events that are of interest to both clients and Wimbart
- Occasional events support
- Brainstorm fresh ideas for PR campaigns with the team
- Continuously monitor key media outlets – online and some print – that feature Wimbart’s core sectors and keep abreast of the wider news cycle for Africa / tech / entertainment
- General team support across all aspects of the company’s activity
Skills & Knowledge:
- First-class writing skills
- Expert news judgement – can spot a news opportunity
- Strong ability to ‘pitch’ successfully on the phone and by email
- Social media savvy- with experience of repackaging messaging across different platforms.
- Knowledge of key PR tools and databases used in the market
- Strong ability to learn quickly across diverse topics
Ideal Experience:
- Demonstrable track record of securing media coverage in influential regional and global titles
- Experience of and interest in Africa, business and tech a bonus.
- Proven client handling and relationship building skills
- A creative communicator, with a track record in engaging storytelling
- Ability to influence through effective communication
- Good writing and proofreading skills
- Attention to detail and accuracy
- Ability to work flexibly and prioritise workload
- Proficiency in using Google Drive, Microsoft PPT and Spreadsheets a bonus
- Demonstrable track record of exceeding goals, and meeting deadlines
- Enjoys working hard; a complete self-starter with almost unlimited initiative, good at working as part of team as well as on their own
- A warm and friendly individual with the ability to build honest, long-lasting relationships in a supportive, fun a dynamic environment
Notes
This role is with an immediate start [ideally] for a 9-12mth contract
The role is based in Southwark, London.
For additional details, or to apply with CV and Covering Letter, please contact Jessica Hope | jessica@wimbart.com
