Corporate Reputation Account Director/Associate Director, Sustainability Freelance

BCW Group

About the Team

Fuelled by unique insights, creativity, and deep expertise, the BCW Corporate and Public Affairs team is the UK’s most dynamic force of bright, inquisitive, and bold communications consultants.

Consistently ahead of the next, we are trusted advisers when the stakes are high, helping clients navigate the complex challenges of today while anticipating the sensitive issues of tomorrow. We have the firepower and skills to support organisations at every stage in their growth cycles and we reach stakeholders through every possible channel, ultimately moving hearts, minds, and people. We work with clients across all industries including financial service, fintech, education, retail, consumer goods and so much more.

We offer an impressive and integrated mix of agency natives, former journalists, political campaigners, and in-house leads who unite to deliver diverse and differentiated perspectives to clients based on experience and sound judgement. We prize rigor, quality, and agility, forging meaningful partnerships with our clients to add value. And we like to have fun.

Our specialisms include Responsible Business, Sustainability and Corporate Reputation; Public Affairs; Crisis & Issues; Business Transformation; Leadership Communications; and International Affairs. We are a new generation of communicators, all found within a single BCW multi-disciplinary team, at the heart of one of the world’s largest full-service global communications agencies.

The Role

We are looking hire an Account Director ( or an Associate Director, depends on the candidate) to our award-winning Corporate & Public Affairs Team. We are seeking a self starter with a real passion for sustainability. You will play a key role in developing BCW’s sustainability offer, and creating communication strategies to support our clients’ social impact and sustainability commitments .

Under the guidance of the senior team, you will have a hands-on approach in managing client relationships and delivering strategic and well-thought-out communications programmes that are based on expert industry specific knowledge.

Experience that contributes to your success:

• You have proven experience in corporate communications, with a focus on sustainability and purpose in an agency, NGOor in house setting.
• You have in-depth knowledge of the global and UK context for sustainability and wider corporate purpose, including in environment and climate, you like to spot trends and you are committed to staying ahead of the latest developments in these areas.
• You have managed teams and are adept at developing, motivating and inspiring junior colleagues.
• You are passionate about how corporate reputations are built and protected. You may have experience in different communications disciplines, such as public affairs and stakeholder engagement, corporate and B2B media relations, or digital and social media.
• You demonstrate strong project management skills and understand the cultural and business nuances in different markets. You have the ability to manage local agencies or offices to deliver global campaigns and report back on success to senior global stakeholders.
• You write well and know how to inform and influence target audiences – including clients – both directly and through new and traditional media. You should also have an interest in, and understanding of, the current affairs and the wider political, societal and cultural landscape.

What you will do as you move with us:

• Organisational skills – the ability to manage workload across a multiple client accounts and effectively manage time, prioritising work and using support from team members
• Ownership and responsibility – develop and execute a comprehensive communication plans addressing both internal and external stakeholders for clients, with a particular focus on sustainability
• Creativity – expected to use insights and general knowledge to suggest innovative approaches to client campaigns and communication challenges
• Managing client relationships -a trusted counsellor and key contact for clients and must therefore demonstrate a mature and confident approach to client counsel and support
• Managing People – a well organised team leader with ability to inspire and motivate more junior members to ensure exceptional delivery against objectives
• Stakeholder engagement -an excellent understanding of how to protect clients’ licence to operate and enhance reputation -with a focus on sustainability and corporate purpose
• Media relations -a good understanding of how the media works and able to tailor materials to suit different outlets – both social and traditional
• Social & Digital – have experience in creating social content, influencer mapping and engagement and handling issues & crisis
• Communications skills – an excellent writer confident with the development of content

Our Awards

Best EMEA Network Consultancy to Work For 2023 (Provoke Media)

UK Young Lions 2023 (Advertising Association)

Employee Engagement Campaign of the Year 2023 (PRmoment)

About BCW:

As the global communications agency in the business of moving people, BCW guides client partners to powerful, culturally relevant ideas, programs and messages that inspire their key stakeholders to think differently, feel deeply and act urgently.

BCW’s commitment to moving people starts with our employees. Here you’ll find ways to ignite your growth while doing meaningful work for exceptional clients in an environment that prioritizes your success, compels collaboration and celebrates learning. We’re committed to moving our people forward in their careers and helping them learn and grow as people and professionals.

We wholly believe that creating truly inclusive and innovative solutions is critical to our success, so Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (I.D.E.A.) are embedded into everything we do for our people, agency, clients and the communities we serve. We strongly encourage applications from talent across all dimensions of race/ethnicity and the LGBTQ+, differently abled and veteran communities.

And while there is no one kind of BCW person, everyone at BCW has something in common: A mindset, a way of responding to challenges with openness, curiosity and a commitment to learning. BCW will feed that drive by rewarding courageous tenacity and nurturing your dynamic career.

Our Promises

BCW are committed to growing and sustaining an agency that is both representative and inclusive of the communities we live and work within. At BCW, we believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce enables our agency to thrive and deliver brilliant work. We actively welcome applications from individuals and groups who are under-represented and celebrate difference be it ethnicity, religion, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status or disability.

We will only assess you on your abilities and fit for the role, please do get in touch if you would like to discuss any adjustments you need to ensure a level playing field during the recruitment process.