Digital Director, Communications & Public Affairs Agency, London

We are currently seeking an experienced Digital Director to join a dynamic and fast-growing communications and public affairs agency. This is a unique opportunity for someone with advanced digital strategy experience, particularly in crisis management, reputation management, and influence. As a key member of the team, you will work across a diverse portfolio of clients, using your skills in the “dark arts” of digital communications to manage high-stakes situations and shape public perception.

Key Responsibilities for the Digital Director

• Crisis Management & Strategic Communication: Lead digital crisis management strategies, mitigating issues in real-time, particularly on social media platforms and digital spaces. Protect and enhance clients’ reputations during sensitive situations.
• Reputation Management: Use digital tools to monitor, protect, and enhance clients’ reputations across various platforms, including sentiment analysis and stakeholder engagement.
• Advanced Social Media Strategy: Develop and execute innovative social media campaigns that influence public opinion, engage with key stakeholders, and manage complex issues.
• Influence & Persuasion: Leverage data-driven insights to craft digital content that subtly alters public perception, engages with political or corporate stakeholders, and contributes to high-level digital strategies.
• Stakeholder Mapping & Data Usage: Use AI-driven tools, open-source intelligence, and other data analytics methods to understand and influence stakeholder sentiment, enabling proactive digital interventions.
• Collaborative Work: Collaborate with internal teams and clients to drive digital strategies and solutions that achieve key business objectives, particularly around reputation management and crisis resolution.

Skills and Experience Required for a Digital Director

• Proven expertise in digital communications, particularly in crisis management and reputation management within a corporate or public affairs context.
• Experience with digital tools and platforms for monitoring stakeholder sentiment, analysing public opinion, and driving strategic digital content.
• Strong background in strategic public affairs, with a focus on political influence and public perception.
• Ability to work across multiple industries and handle complex, high-profile clients, particularly in regulated or high-risk sectors.
• A creative and innovative mindset with the ability to think outside the box and develop digital strategies that influence and engage at the highest levels.
• Must be politically aware and able to operate effectively across integrated communications strategies.

What You Will Bring as a Digital Strategy Leader

• Innovation & Creativity: As part of a team focused on “dark arts” digital work, you’ll need to be highly innovative, capable of thinking outside the box, and use data and digital tools creatively. We need someone who can get into specific online communities, understand what’s happening there, use funny archetypes, and turn that intel into actionable strategies.
• Experience in Special Situations and Political Risk: Experience with special situations, political risk, and strategic communication is crucial. You should be comfortable working on sensitive, high-stakes projects that involve both public perception and political influence.
• Digital Expertise: You will need to be digital at your core, with expertise in campaigns, crisis management, and strategy. You should have the ability to work across various digital platforms while also adapting to more traditional PR elements when required.

Join a Leading Communications and Public Affairs Agency

If you’re a digital strategist with a creative mindset, a strong understanding of crisis management, reputation building, and political influence, this is an exciting opportunity for you to join a forward-thinking agency. Apply today to be part of a team shaping the future of digital public affairs.

If you have the relevant experience and this opportunity sounds interesting to you, please get in touch with our team, including a copy of your CV as soon as possible via the form below.

Hanson Search is a globally recognised, award-winning talent advisory and headhunting consultancy. Our expertise lies in building successful ventures worldwide through our recruitment, interim and executive search in communications, sustainability, public affairs and policy, digital marketing and sales and commercial.

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all.  You can access our Diversity and Inclusion Policy here.