Account Executive

Smoking Gun PR; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - GBP 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading public relations agency in Manchester is seeking a PR account executive to deliver inventive campaigns and support client objectives. This position requires a capable individual with over 12 months of agency experience. Responsibilities include writing press releases, managing media relations, and participating in strategic meetings. The role offers a competitive salary starting from £24,000, along with 33 days holiday, a personal development budget, and a diverse range of perks. Join a dynamic team that thrives on creativity and collaboration.

Benefits

33 days holiday

Personal development training budget

Bonus opportunities

Great office location

Qualifications

• Minimum 12 months of fast-paced agency experience.
• Strong understanding of digital PR and media operations.
• Ability to juggle multiple tasks effectively and confidently.

Responsibilities

• Support account execution and organizational tasks.
• Participate in meetings and client presentations.
• Contribute to proactive outreach and agency marketing.

Skills

Writing coherent and factually accurate press releases

Identifying publicity opportunities

Producing internal copy

Competent in written communications

Building relationships with journalists

Managing press release distribution

Proactively seeking opportunities

Engaging in meetings and presentations

Flexibility in managing tasks

Job description

Smoking Gun is on the hunt for a PR account executive to join its growing team.

We are looking for the best of the best to deliver our ingenious campaigns across multi media channels. To be a member of The Guns newshounds, the news agenda and having an instinct for culture will be in your DNA, and you will ooze passion and enthusiasm for creativity, writing, building strong relationships and cultural trends.

The role will involve:

Overall Description

An account executive carries out most of the day to day account execution and administration reporting to an account manager . They should be a capable and confident operator who has a good, but still developing understanding of the required basic media and communication skills and who is aware of the media tools available to create the required media coverage in all PR areas.

The role should be to carry out all support tasks as directed to execute the strategies and activities as detailed by their account managers/directors, and ensure that their accounts are well organised and structured in terms of time, and manual and electronic filing.

Skill Requirements

• Writing coherent and factually accurate press releases that require minimal amends from seniors and clients.
• Identifying publicity opportunities as directed.
• Producing internal copy for newsletters, internal briefings and notice boards.
• Competent in all written communications, such as blogs, social media posts, letters, e‑mails, memo etc., both internally and externally to clients and journalists.

Media Skills

• A growing understanding of how the media works in the particular areas in which you operate – the opportunities available, starting to build relationships with journalists etc.
• Fully managing the process of press release distribution.
• Helping to sell items in to media as directed.
• Understanding and running programmes of media promotional activity, such as competitions, sampling offers, free for every reader offers etc.
• Proactively looking for opportunities, working alongside managers.
• Confident in making verbal approaches to all journalists – consumer, business‑to‑business and trade – to sell in ideas and discuss opportunities.
• Assist in the organisation of events ranging from workshops, photo calls, press conferences, training days etc. on behalf of clients.

Digital PR Skills

• Ability to research, target and generate backlinks in press coverage.
• A basic understanding of SEO and GEO.
• Engineer and nurture new media relationships wherever necessary.

Meetings

• To actively participate in meetings. Helping prepare for the meeting and present elements as directed.
• Participating in presentations to existing clients and at new business pitches.

General Skills

• Play a part in new business brainstorms.
• Liaise with clients in a confident manner and build good working relationships.
• To build up trust and confidence in his/her abilities with superiors and clients.
• To handle simple projects or assignments with the minimum supervision, achieving the best possible quality of work for both clients and company.
• Undertake media and administration desk research for new business pitches and current client programmes as required.
• Flexibility – capable of juggling more than one task/client at the time and prioritising work load accordingly.
• To handle all administration for accounts including filing, press cuttings etc. to ensure the smooth running of the business.
• Work as an effective member of a team, as well as the overall organisation.
• Proof read all written material.
• Develop useful and relevant business contacts.
• Become capable of briefing all suppliers such as designers, photographers, printers in a knowledgeable and precise manner.

Agency Contribution

• Time sheets kept up to date on a daily basis.
• Being supportive of the company and our vision, and being responsible enough to take any issues to your manager rather than discussing in an open forum.
• Contribute to the company’s marketing efforts by suggesting pro‑active outreach ideas, getting involved in industry social media forums/ chats, networking events and contribute content to the company social media pages and blog.

We are looking for someone who has over 12 months experience of hands on fast‑paced agency experience and is hungry to get stuck in and produce great work for our clients.

In return, you will receive a great package that includes 33 days holiday, a personal development training budget, lots of perks, bonuses hybrid working and a great office location in the city centre of Manchester.

Salary from £24,000, experience dependent.