Associate Director in UK

We look for smart and resilient problem solvers; for creative minds; for individuals who want to push boundaries; to look at things from different angles; and connect the dots in a way others can't.

Our employees come to us to work with some of the world’s best-known brands and influential people, helping our clients identify and tell meaningful stories that drive real change, and genuine connection. Love & Work is our foundation because we do what we love, and we love what we do.Many of our alumni have gone on to run their own top 150 agencies; to lead the communications and marketing for well-known global brands; and are leaders in their fields of expertise.

We pride ourselves on the ability to assemble teams of passionate specialists from all over the world with a huge variety of backgrounds, all experienced in solving tricky problems. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage all applicants to apply, regardless of race, religion, origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability. Freuds Group strives to ensure a sense of belonging for all; we’re proud to support and utilise a diverse range of thoughts and perspectives in the teams we build as well as the work we create. Our belonging behaviours are built on the foundation of Collaboration, Connection, Empathy & Understanding and Allyship, these pillars are entwined into our daily life and are one of the markers for how we measure both company and individual success.

The Role - Crisis Associate Director - Director

We are seeking an experienced Director with a corporate background and specialism in issues and crisis communications. 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. Reporting into the Business Partner, you will be ready to 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 role will also include working with companies and individuals on communications positioning and framing corporate narratives, defining issues management strategies and leading on media relations.

Responsibilities

• Leading an ‘always-on’ 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
• Writing crisis and issues preparation plans for clients to anticipate and mitigate against media-facing reputational challenges
• Handling day-to-day issues for a portfolio of major clients, including front line media relations
• 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

Skills & Competencies:

• 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
• Direct and demonstrable experience dealing with high-profile issues and crises for global corporate clients or business leaders
• Seasoned and confident client handler with experience of advising at senior levels
• 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