PR Senior Account Manager - Corporate Affairs

Location:                         Manchester or Leeds

Working Pattern:         Full time, hybrid working (3 days in, 2 from home)             

About Grayling UK

Our people are in equal parts exceptional professionals and wonderful human beings. We live by being brave, curious, and collaborative, which helps us deliver award-winning work for our clients.

We’ve created a culture that champions personal growth and development, empowering everyone to be creative, innovate enjoy their work. Your growth is our priority because when you thrive, so do we. We’re serious about our work but never about ourselves, so if you’re looking for your next move and are passionate about corporate PR, media relations and public affairs, you’ve come to the right place!

The day to day

We’re looking for a Senior Account Manager to join our mighty North team! Working across manufacturing, engineering, energy, transport & professional services, you’ll be responsible for day-to-day delivery on your accounts. You will be a primary point of contact for your clients and internal teams – both of which will trust your ability to deliver to the highest standards.

Responsibilities include:

• Taking the lead on a variety of projects concurrently, meeting all deadlines and delivering positive results
• Leading on low-level strategies / plans
• Responsibility for delivery and/or review of outputs
• Overseeing monitoring and analysis, helping draw key takeaways for the benefit of clients
• Reviewing first draft of reports, prior to senior review / input
• Creating solid media, influencer, and stakeholder engagement plans and share best practice with junior colleagues
• Leading on key engagement activities and how progress is communicated to the clients
• Editing materials drafted by junior members of the team so that they are client/audience-ready and only require minor amends from senior colleagues
• Substantial input into new business proposals, with ideas for strategy and/or plans (with support from colleagues)
• Proactively identifying opportunities for organic growth and communicating to the team with recommendations

What will give you edge

• Proven generalist corporate comms experience, with an excellent understanding of both traditional and digital public relations
• Experience of delivering campaigns that engage communities, business and political stakeholders
• Understanding of the planning process and proven experience delivering effective communications and engagement for public consultations
• Experience specifically in Property, Energy, Transport/Logistics and/or Infrastructure would be advantageous
• Public affairs experience, with an excellent understanding of both the local and national political landscape and policy
• Established network of political and business contacts to facilitate effective Public Affairs and Planning engagement Commercially aware and showing an ability to manage client budgets and review and action WIPS, with support from colleagues
• Demonstrate consistent creative thinking to ensure accounts remain fresh
• Strong skills in conducting written and verbal engagement and be able to advise junior team members
• The ability to draft a variety of written materials across a range of styles, producing client-ready work, showcasing strong attention to detail
• Showcase confidence when presenting / speaking in a variety of instances as required
• Good commercial awareness
• A driving licence is preferred to support travel to client sites and in-person consultations

Our promises to you 

• Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid working & flexi time and 4pm finishes on a Friday
• 25 days’ holiday, increasing by one day every year up to 30 days.
• Additional day of leave on your birthday.
• Gifted time off over Christmas.
• A monthly cash allowance to use on the benefits most important to you. Whether it’s subscribing to services like Netflix, dental insurance or gym membership, you'll have the freedom to choose how you enjoy it!
• Enhanced family-friendly policies.
• Free subscription to Calm app.
• Regular team socials in Leeds and Manchester. 
• An abundance of development opportunities, through our learning and development programme (with courses ranging from commercial acumen, effective line management, preparing for a crisis, PowerPoint design excellence and much more)
• New business and employee referral bonuses.
• Railcard reimbursement
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme offering a 24/7 confidential advice line.
• Life assurance.

Get to know us

Grayling is the UK’s best-connected communications agency, working across Consumer, Corporate, and Public Affairs. With nine UK offices and 20+ worldwide, we help brands make an impact through smart thinking, cultural insights, and creative ideas.

We’ve been on a huge journey the last year and have just been shortlisted for PRWeek UK’s brand-new People and Places Awards 2025.

Our commitment at Grayling is to combine our employees’ unique backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to build a more diverse and inclusive organisation that represents all of us and the businesses we work with.  We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and will consider all applicants regardless of age, gender identity, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, family or parental status, neurodiversity and disability status. If you need any adjustments during the application process, we’re here to help - just let us know.