Opportunities at LEWIS

About LEWIS

The company is an integrated communications agency that has gone from start-up to multi-national in a little over two decades. The company now rank in the top 40 agencies worldwide with 29 offices, 550 employees and revenue of $64m. Its success is due to a combination of factors: talented people delivering award winning campaigns; expanding client relationships into new markets or services; making strategic acquisitions. Its people, agency and campaigns have won many prestigious awards in the last 18 months including Cannes Lions, Holmes Report, ICCO, PRCA. 

Central to the growth has been the policy of reinvestment, with the majority of profits returning to the company to propel development. This is possible because the company is independently owned.

What we look for in our people

Agile, bold, collaborative, inquisitive and spirited. These are the values sought in every person at LEWIS. As the company evolves, grows and expands, it wants people who recognise the need to think differently. To understand the full marketing communications mix, even if a specialist in a particular aspect. We want all our people, whether a paid media specialist or media strategist, graphic designer or analytics manager to have an appreciation of the wide and deep capabilities available to clients that work with LEWIS. Our people need to be agile to opportunities; bold in their approach; collaborate with colleagues across different services or offices to deliver amazing work; keep learning and challenging the norm; be spirited and committed to develop themselves, their colleagues and the agency.

Purpose of the role

The Account Executive plays a media focussed and team support role. The role requires the ability to handle a number of projects at any one time as well as being able to respond quickly to journalist and team requests. The Account Executive will develop a clear understanding of the team’s requirements and objectives, be proactive in attitude and supportive to the team at all times.

Key responsibilities and tasks

Client Management

• Assists the team with the management of client accounts and projects, helping to establish LEWIS as an invaluable long-term partner for marketing and communications services
• Offers thoughtful advice and recommendations to clients and team regarding media opportunities and tactics
• Coordinates communication (including meetings and reviews) with clients and ensures deadlines and service agreements are adhered to
• Participating in new business pitches by providing research support and coordination
• Assists with the coordination of press tours, events and review programmes

Media Relations  

• Understands and avidly follows the news agenda, positioning clients and products within the wider news narrative
• Researches and identifies appropriate journalists, bloggers and analysts on an on-going basis
• Develops and strengthens existing media relationships for self and the team
• Monitors relevant news sources and alerts the team to relevant breaking news opportunities
• Understands and identifies strong news angles and media opportunities
• Secures on-going and regular media opportunities such as columns and Q&As
• Organises and coordinates media interviews and press briefings

Content

• Drafts a broad range of written materials including biographies, briefing documents, media alerts, soundbites, Q&As, backgrounders and boilerplates, ensuring a consistent level of high quality content
• Creates press materials and compelling content for both traditional and digital media
• Creates valuable and insightful briefing sheets to assist clients with their press communications
• Understands and develops knowledge around finding a good news angles or hooks
• Takes a developmental approach to improving writing ability, adapting and refining style to suit the needs of the client
• Works with content specialists to ensure a consistent level of quality for all written content

Digital / Social media

• Uses social media platforms to expand own network, develop media relationships and positively impact client results
• Provides social media insight as well as execution and management of related digital activity

Team working and development

• Ensures personal and deliverable client objectives are met on an on-going basis
• Accurately reports activity levels and regularly completes timesheets to ensure correct allocation of client duties
• Escalates general new business requests to appropriate team members, acting as a first point of contact for external enquiries
• Works closely with line manager to maximise own strengths, improve weaknesses and support individual and team career development
• Supports with the training of graduates and interns wherever possible
• Regularly attends LEWIS training sessions and daily press briefings to enhance skills and develop knowledge 

Reporting and analysis

• Tracks and reports on media activity, including coverage reports, press clippings, online media engagement
• Ensures that all account activity and results are reported back to the Senior Account Executive / Account Manager / Account Director
• Communicates account performance internally at account reviews
• Provides reports to the Account Director or senior management team on request

General

• Supports the Account Servicing team on ad hoc initiatives and projects
• Takes a proactive role in promoting the LEWIS brand, its identity, values and work
• Supports the HR / talent team by promoting both internal and external opportunities at LEWIS across social media and via the referral scheme
• Contributes and supports the continuous improvement of systems, practices and policies

About you

• A communications or marketing related degree (or equivalent)
• Relevant experience of working in a B2B, corporate, consumer or digital communications environment at an Account Coordinator or Account Executive level
• Attention to detail 

• Proven written ability in English and local languages
• Creative thinking 

• Understanding of client business issues and requirements 

• Highly developed presentation skills 

• Thorough knowledge of media: print and broadcast 

• Understanding of market research and analysis 


• Ability to delegate effectively 

• Calmness under pressure and ability to achieve tight deadlines 

• Proven ability to keep abreast of current affairs and relate them to client situations 

• Polished and professional appearance