Job Description

Description

Position at Hill+Knowlton Strategies

Associate Director- (Sports Brand) - Brand Reputation and Issues Management
(Maternity Cover - immediate start) - Hill + Knowlton Strategies

ABOUT H+K

Hill+Knowlton Strategies (H+K) is an international PR and communications agency based across 80 offices in 40 countries and working globally with many of the largest multinational companies. We structure and lead our business around industry sector teams to deliver deep industry knowledge for the benefit of our clients. These teams are supported by specialist areas of creative ideas development and strategy, data and analytics, content creation and publishing, corporate affairs and ESG. The people in our agency are constantly evolving and are expected to re-invent their skills and set new standards in the industry.

We are proud to have been awarded Provoke Sabre EMEA Awards: UK PR Consultancy of the Year 2022, EMEA Agency of the Decade, UK 2022 Silver Agency of the Year: Campaign Awards, EMEA 2022 Gold PR Agency of the Year: Campaign Award.

OUR TEAM

We are trusted advisors to the industry\'s highest profile sponsors and sports organisations, H+K\'s Sport team has been behind some of the most talked about sponsorship activation and sports communication campaigns for more than a decade.

Work is fast paced, varied and challenging, as the team run busy press offices, devise and implement major brand initiatives - both globally and locally - and activate social media programmes. The work done by the team takes a story-first approach rooted in PR but often breaks free from traditional barriers of what a PR campaign looks like, with our best-in-class campaigns requiring an understanding of what drives conversation across owned, earned, shared and paid channels. Some of our clients include, adidas, HSBC, SailGP and Gillette (+ more!)

THE ROLE + RESPONSIBILITIES

• We\'re looking for a talented, strategic, and level-headed Senior Consultant (Associate Director level), with global brand reputation & issues management experience to join our team.
• You will have experience in delivering industry leading client counsel at pace and have a deep understanding of how cultural and political topics (via a true connection to the editorial and social agenda) are affecting the world of sport and youth culture. Supporting the brand to navigate challenging cultural conversations and to develop industry leading strategies to define how a brand should and could show up around its purpose.
• You\'ll be a second to none communicator, managing multiple internal and external stakeholders across all levels and markets. Providing teams with guidance to pro-actively and reactively tackle the global news agenda.
• This role is about a brand-first approach to reputation management - versus being an issues-first consultant reporting into the Global Account Lead.
• Please note, given the nature of this role, regular out of hours work is to be expected and will include weekend working hours.
• There is a handover period of a few weeks - so looking for an immediate start to be able to make the most of this opportunity.

Work will be inspiring, varied and challenging and include:

• Experience with one of the world\'s best sports brands
• Being part of a driven and ambitious team
• Management of client relationships - across all levels
• Market and client liaison
• Truly embedded across the full breadth of the brand with a direct line to stakeholders of every level
• Using data and insights to strengthen approaches and measurement of successes

DESIRED ATTRIBUTES

• Creative and strategic thinker
• Be a confident solo decision maker, able to solve complex issues at pace.
• Able to adapt tone of voice, and approach, to ensure all matters are handled sensitively and true to brand, audience, and subject.
• Strong client handling and leadership skills; upskilling wider team on the nuance of issues handling and a team player with the ability to work collaboratively.
• Strong written skills with excellent attention to detail, particularly under pressure
• Global communications experience is a prerequisite for this role.
• The ideal candidate will be someone who has delivered successful issues management for global consumer or sports brands, supporting them to communicate with their audiences at pace with transparency, authenticity, and a human voice.

ABOUT H+K

H+K is a communications agency, always in beta and always changing. We are the first and only large agency to structure itself around sectors to deliver deep industry knowledge, supported by specialist areas of ideas and strategy, content creation and publishing. Everyone in our agency is expected to constantly evolve, reinvent their skills, and set a new standard in the industry for their role.

Hill+Knowlton Strategies is creating a diverse and inclusive culture where everyone belongs. As a company and as co-workers, we are building a workplace where everyone can reach their full potential and be their authentic self. We are an inclusive employer and are happy to accommodate flexible working arrangements.

KEY H+K BENEFITS

• 25 days + (3 days at Christmas) annual leave
• Comprehensive health insurance (Bupa)
• SMART pension scheme
• Heavily subsidised on-site bar
• WPP employee discount scheme
• Group life assurance scheme
• Enhanced maternity + paternity scheme
• Vouchers + extra day\'s holiday for key milestone anniversaries
• Our dedicated interactive training academy - \'The Hub\'
• Cycle to work scheme
• Wellness programmes
• Weekly social events
• 2 x volunteer days per year
• Additional wellness days off for active commuting

OUR LONDON OFFICE

H+K employs over 300 people in the UK, and our stunning Clerkenwell offices run over two floors, encompassing a beautiful roof terrace and subsidised bar area, which is a great spot for client meetings and socialising with the wider agency.

DE&I

We pride ourselves on creating a diverse and inclusive culture where everyone belongs. As a company and as co-workers, we are building a workplace where everyone can reach their full potential. We are an inclusive employer and are happy to consider flexible working arrangements.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

We believe diversity is strength. Our Commitment at Hill + Knowlton Strategies is to combine our employees unique backgrounds, perspective, 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. We are also happy to provide reasonable adjustments during the application and interview process. Please refer to our to understand more about H+K\'s commitments here.

H+K is and a organisation. If you require any adjustments to the application or interview process with us, please don\'t hesitate to email

For more information on H+K:

Instagram: @hk_londonlife

Twitter: @hk_london

Hill+Knowlton Strategies