Head of Corporate, London

Our client, a leading global integrated communications agency, is looking for a Head of Corporate Reputation to lead and grow their Corporate Reputation practice in London.

The role is an opportunity to build on a successful track record of client engagement and new business development and take the agency’s UK corporate offer to the next level.

In this position you will lead, develop and grow the London’s corporate offer, operating at the intersection of brand communication and corporate reputation. You’ll maintain and deepen relationships with key clients, nurture the development and skillset of a growing and talented team, and identify areas of strategic growth. You will be a master of the craft, engaged in a broad range of client programmes at the highest levels, including corporate storytelling, reputation management, executive leadership and internal communications.

You will have a demonstrable understanding of current corporate issues such as ESG communications, corporate purpose, crisis response, employee engagement and change management.

You will be passionate about new business with a track record of identifying and converting pitch opportunities and ideally working alongside creatives, planners and data specialists. You will also be an excellent people leader and client counselor, rolling up your sleeves and staying close to the work. You will play an active and central role on the London Leadership Team, working closely with the MD and Deputy MD to propel the business forward.

Responsibilities:

• Secure, maintain and grow the agency’s London Corporate Reputation practice
• Provide strategic counsel, guidance and leadership, ensuring the team’s success by managing work quality, productivity and impact
• Develop strategic, visionary plans for clients and communicate them compellingly with supporting recommendations and substantive logic
• Develop media relations strategy and provide issues and crisis management counsel where necessary
• Foster and maintain relationships with client contacts and relevant external organisations
• Foster and maintain relationships with corporate leads in key agency offices
• Grow business prospects with existing clients; expand scopes of work using network capabilities; lead new business outreach processes, develop and lead compelling pitch responses and win business
• Represent the practice at London leadership level, as well as contributing actively to the growth, market presence and reputation of the wider agency as a member of the Leadership Team
• Actively participate in and contribute to the agency’s global corporate practice
• Mentor, coach and support team members
• Maintain financial responsibility for accounts including staff utilisation, forecasting and profitability
• Work with the US based global corporate managing director to develop smart, strategic fiscal plans

Qualifications and experience required:

• Vast experience in Corporate PR, agency experience is strongly preferred
• A corporate communications generalist and/or with strong experience of issues management
• Solid corporate media relations contacts, especially with global business outlets
• In-depth knowledge of reputation management and a working knowledge of traditional and non-traditional earned media, owned, paid and social channels
• Track record of success in building relationships with national business media
• Excellent writing skills, compelling presentation skills, deep experience developing and delivering client presentations, including new business
• Understanding of global economic, business and socio-political trends, and the ability to draw insights from this understanding to counsel clients
• Experience in coordinating multi-geography programmes, both as a lead office and as contributing player – hub and spoke
• A history of success in providing sound creative and strategic counsel to clients and building credibility with the most senior level client contacts
• Collaborative spirit, results driven with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work at pace
• Proven empathetic and inspiring leadership experience, mentoring and developing talent at all levels

If you have the relevant experience and this opportunity sounds interesting to you, please get in touch with Katie Simpson on katies@hansonsearch.com including a copy of your CV as soon as possible via the form below.

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all. 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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