Account Director

Account Director

Strategic Communications | Capital Markets | Funding & M&A | Public Affairs

Location: London, Hybrid with 2 days in the office

Salary: up to £70K basic salary

My client is a strategic communications consultancy working at the heart of the fast-growth business, investment and venture capital ecosystem.

They advise funded scale-ups, entrepreneurs, investors, venture capital firms and organisations supporting high-growth businesses across sectors including AI, cyber security, defence, fintech, biotech, agri-tech and other areas of emerging technology.

The consultancy works with clients on broader business and reputational challenges, helping them navigate funding, investment, policy, stakeholder engagement, market positioning and significant moments of growth or change.

They are now looking for an Account Director who can operate as a genuine strategic adviser - someone who understands how communications connects with business growth, capital, public policy, reputation and influence.

The role

As Account Director, you will work closely with founders, CEOs, investors and senior decision-makers, helping them determine how communications can support wider commercial and strategic objectives.

Rather than simply focusing on media output, you will be expected to understand what a client is trying to achieve and advise them on how best to influence the audiences that matter - whether that is investors, policymakers, journalists, analysts, industry figures or other key stakeholders.

You will also play an important role in new business, team development and the wider growth of the consultancy.

Key responsibilities

• Act as a trusted strategic adviser to founders, CEOs, investors and senior stakeholders.

• Develop integrated communications strategies aligned to commercial, financial and reputational objectives.

• Advise clients around significant business milestones including funding rounds, M&A, investment announcements, market expansion and periods of change.

• Help clients shape compelling corporate and investment narratives for investors, media, analysts and wider stakeholders.

• Identify political, regulatory and policy developments that could create opportunities or risks for clients.

• Develop stakeholder strategies involving government, policymakers, industry bodies and other influential audiences where appropriate.

• Connect clients with relevant journalists, analysts, investors, advisers, industry figures and ecosystem partners.

• Lead new-business conversations, proposals, pitches and relationship development.

• Identify opportunities to grow existing accounts and broaden the consultancy's work with clients.

• Provide strategic direction to account teams while allowing AMs and SAMs to lead day-to-day delivery.

• Line manage and develop junior and mid-level colleagues.

• Contribute to the wider senior team and development of the consultancy.

The person

My client is not simply looking for a generalist PR Account Director. At this level, they want someone who brings a distinctive capability, knowledge base or network that adds something to the existing team.

Relevant backgrounds could include:

• Financial PR / capital markets communications: with experience across investment, funding, banking, institutional investors, M&A or corporate transactions.

• Strategic or corporate communications: advising senior decision-makers around reputation, positioning, business strategy and complex corporate issues ideally within the technology sector.

• Public affairs / corporate affairs: with strong understanding of Westminster, Whitehall, government, regulation, policy and senior stakeholder engagement.

• Venture capital or scale-up communications: either agency-side or in-house, with genuine knowledge of founders, fundraising, investors and the wider ecosystem.

• Specialist technology communications: particularly within areas such as AI, cyber security, defence, fintech or other high-growth and regulated sectors.

• In-house communications within a VC, investment firm or successful scale-up, particularly if you are looking to broaden your exposure across multiple clients.

You do not need to come from one prescribed background.

What matters most is that you can bring credible senior-level advice, strong commercial judgement and a genuine understanding of how communications can influence business outcomes.

What will make you stand out

You are likely to be someone who:

• Thinks beyond media coverage and naturally connects communications activity to commercial, financial, reputational or policy outcomes.

• Is comfortable advising senior clients independently and challenging their thinking where appropriate.

• Understands the wider environment surrounding businesses - investors, markets, government, regulation, stakeholders and media.

• Has strong judgement and can quickly understand complex businesses and issues.

• Brings relationships, knowledge or expertise that can open new opportunities for clients and the consultancy.

• Is commercially minded and comfortable leading pitches, new-business discussions and account growth.

• Enjoys working across different clients, sectors and issues rather than operating within a narrow silo.

• Wants real ownership and responsibility within a smaller, entrepreneurial consultancy.

Why consider it?

This is a strong opportunity for someone who wants broader exposure and greater responsibility than they might receive within a larger consultancy or in-house role.

You will work directly with senior decision-makers across the investment and fast-growth business ecosystem and have the opportunity to advise on genuinely consequential issues, from funding and transactions through to public policy, reputation and business growth.

For someone coming from a larger strategic or financial communications consultancy, it offers greater ownership of client relationships, pitches and strategic advice.

For someone currently in-house, it provides the opportunity to apply your knowledge across a broader portfolio of clients.

And for someone from financial communications or public affairs, it offers the chance to apply that expertise across a wider mix of growth, investment, reputation and corporate communications work.

Salary: Flexible depending on experience, with scope to consider up to £70,000 for an exceptional candidate.