Associate - Healthcare PR/Communications

Who is Weber Shandwick?  

We create cultural value and help brands navigate the ever-changing age of earned: an age where consumers actively say no to advertising; an age where everyone is an influencer that can make or break your brand; an age where content can be turned into commercial opportunity.  

Our talented team builds brands by finding connection points in the real world. We energise the right mix of talent, using the right platforms and latest technology to choreograph stories that make a real and meaningful impact for some of the world’s leading brands and businesses e.g. Mars, Princes, IKEA and Pinterest to name a few.   

We earn affection, attention, affinity and purchase by delivering value to people around the world, with deep specialisms across food & drink, travel & tourism,  tech,  health, automotive, sports sponsorship, entertainment & lifestyle and energy. We are known for: 

• Developing data driven insights and strategies to drive measurable impact   
• Creating impactful campaigns that tap into culture   
• Creating channel and platform agnostic campaigns that grow organically  
• Delivering integrated campaigns that are earned-first but deliver for paid and owned 

What’s happening?

Weber Shandwick is looking for a talented Manager who wants to be part of the Corporate practice in our Manchester office. The practice is made up of a smart, dedicated and fun team with expertise spanning B2B, Corporate, FMCG, Public Affairs, Crisis/Issues, Social Impact/ESG and Technology.  

The ideal candidate will be an experienced practitioner who is curious, ambitious, proactive and friendly. The role offers a portfolio of diverse and well-known brands, as well as work on integrated campaigns involving earned media, strategy, creative, analytics and digital specialists. You’ll lead the day-to-day running of accounts, provide counsel, support in the development of campaign and media strategies, and manage the flawless execution of activities.  

While we’re looking for a corporate practitioner, the beauty of our agency is that there is plenty of opportunity to grow your skills in different areas – whether that’s diving into digital and design, or an appetite to engage more in public affairs. We’re keen for this role to deliver as many new opportunities for the candidate as possible!  

What will you be doing?

• Be responsible for the delivery of an exceptional client experience by acting as a primary day-to-day contact for clients, who will come to you for valued counsel and recommendations 
• Develop and oversee the execution of media/campaign strategies 
• Manage the day-to-day running of accounts, including client/internal meetings, materials (e.g media lists, status updates), media monitoring and reporting 
• Overseeing all facets of media programmes and materials, and a play substantial role in media pitching 
• Stay on top of industry news, trends and influencers in specific industries and be able to link these to your clients’ objectives 
• Supporting the development and presentation of new business pitches 

Who are you?

• Previous experience in Corporate PR, ideally in an agency environment 
• An interest in the complex world of Corporate comms – in fact, an interest in the world full stop. The corporate team is an incredibly curious one, with interests spanning tech, retail, FMCG, sustainability, education, politics and more. We use this to bring fresh perspective, helping tell client stories through the lens of so many other industries   
• Proficiency in both media relations and the delivery of an exceptional client experience 
• A comprehensive roster of journalist contacts with corporate, technology, B2B and vertical sector beats at titles covering international, national and trade/vertical sector publications 
• Experience working with multiple disciplines and specialists to deliver integrated campaigns 
• Mastery in developing media materials including press releases, key message documents, pitches, social media content, etc. 
• Strong presentation skills and a desire and experience being involved in new business pitching 
• Experience developing and managing campaigns and being a day-to-day lead for clients, with a track record of providing strategic counsel 
• Be an excellent communicator and possess exceptional writing skills, particularly the ability to digest complex information and turn it into compelling, understandable content 
• A proactive approach to identifying opportunities for the client, practice and team 
• Attentive to detail and quality 
• Fluency in Microsoft programs and digital/social media platforms, tools and solutions 

Perks and Benefits:

• JUICE – Our flexible working model   
• 25 days annual leave + birthday and festive period off   
• Personal pension plan  
• Cycle to work scheme   
• Private dental insurance   
• Gym discounts   
• Health cash plan    
• Group life assurance  
• Group income protection  
• Flexible life insurance   
• Critical illness insurance   
• Buy & sell Holiday   
• Private pension plan   
• Travel Insurance   
• Private medical   
• Monthly social events organised by the Manchester office’s ‘Culture Club’  

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Who is Weber Shandwick? 

We create cultural value and help brands navigate the ever-changing age of earned: an age where consumers actively say no to advertising; an age where everyone is an influencer that can make or break your brand; an age where content can be turned into commercial opportunity.

Our talented team builds brands by finding connection points in the real world. We energise the right mix of talent, using the right platforms and latest technology to choreograph stories that make a real and meaningful impact for some of the world’s leading brands and businesses.

We earn affection, attention, affinity, and purchase by delivering value to people around the world, with deep specialisms spanning technology, entertainment & lifestyle, and energy. We are known for:  

• Developing data driven insights and strategies to drive measurable impact 
• Creating impactful campaigns that tap into culture  
• Creating channel and platform agnostic campaigns that grow organically
• Delivering integrated campaigns that are earned-first but deliver for paid and owned

What’s happening?

We’re hiring for a Business Affairs Manager to join our team in London. This role would suit someone that’s currently in a Business Affairs, Programme or Production Management position.

You will work closely with our existing accounts, project, operations, and legal teams to add more senior capability, both to over-see and make changes to how we work.

This role will enhance the delivery of our work, with key focus areas being accurate documentation, and looking at how we are organised to deliver. Whilst this is predominantly an internal-facing role, some client and supplier management may be necessary when acting as a point of escalation. Internal stakeholder management is key.

Ideally, you’re a problem solver, a self-starter, a multitasker, and a quick thinker with a level head and excellent people skills. This important role will keep you on your toes with varying day-to-day work that is both fun and challenging. 

What will you be doing?

• Applying agency best practices to autonomously create and drive a process for seamless delivery across all work 
• Reviewing client SOWs and third-party contracts for suppliers / vendors.
• Supporting the teams on vetting, negotiating and contracting third parties, with keen attention to risk management
• Summarising client terms as they apply to suppliers
• Populating/checking standard form contracts
• Bridging the gap between the Account and Creative teams with Operations and Legal, ensuring all work is of the highest quality before going for review
• Identify areas where teams need additional clarification or guidance and create appropriate guidelines and materials
• Setting in place clear guidelines and boundaries to work to
• Work with financial Business Manager to identify areas of efficiency
• Maintain oversight of all client work streams in the Consumer practice to ensure consistency, knowledge sharing, and accurate financial reporting
• Identify and flag discrepancies in plans, demonstrating an understanding of how to efficiently address them and remove hurdles
• Proactivity build strong, positive relationships with team members at all levels, and act as a widely-known, helpful resource and problem solver

Who are you?

Qualifications:

• Previous experience in an agency or production environment
• Previous experience working in a similar programme management / business affairs role
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and Project Management tools
• Solid understanding and proven track record of contracting and negotiations
• Solid understanding of and familiarity with agency process and project lifecycles

Key skills:

• Be a strong hands-on individual that can organise and operate with multi-faceted teams
• Possess strong sense of curiosity, solution-oriented mentality, and critical thinking skills
• An upbeat, enthusiastic and self-starter attitude with the ability to inspire and motivate a variety of team members
• Commercially aware with good attention to detail
• Good negotiation skills and comfortable managing senior stakeholders
• Be able to correctly prioritise, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams from beginning to end
• An adaptable attitude and ability to think laterally

Core Benefits:

• Private medical insurance
• Group life assurance
• Group income protection
• Personal pension plan
• Employee Assistance Programme

Flexible Benefits:

• Buy or sell holiday
• Additional life assurance cover
• Critical illness insurance
• Personal Accident Insurance
• Dental insurance
• Travel insurance
• Health screening
• Gym discounts
• Cycle to work scheme
• Health cash plan
• Flexible working with our 3:2 hybrid work model
• Equivalent of $250 USD for new joiners on 6 month + contract to support home working setup
• 25 days’ annual leave (in addition to public holidays) plus 2 volunteering days, birthday day off work and discretionary festive closure
• Flexible public holidays 
• Sweets and snacks in the office
• Exclusive shopping discounts and perks
• Headspace membership
• Annual eyecare voucher
• Season ticket loan
• Referral bonus scheme
• Long service bonus
• Enhanced family leave
• Inclusive and invisible health policies

Note from the Talent Team:

We  appreciate the time take to apply for the role and your recent interest in Weber Shandwick. We will review all applications within five working days and be in touch with those who have been shortlisted to the next stage. Unfortunately, due to volume we are not able to get back to everyone individually so if you have not heard back from us unfortunately you have not been successful on this occasion and wish you all the best in your search.

At IPG DXTRA we are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

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