Working Pattern: Full time, hybrid working (3 days in office, 2 days flexible)
About The Role
We’re looking for an Account Director to join our award-winning public affairs practice, where you’ll have the opportunity to work on flagship client accounts both in Wales and across the wider UK, in particular focusing on the energy, infrastructure and technology sectors. You'll be working for some of the country’s most recognisable organisations (a full list of our clients can be found on the Public Affairs Board Register).
Our client base covers a broad range of sectors, including energy, transport, technology, food and drink, telecoms and housing.
Reporting to our Head of Wales, as an Account Director your role will be centered on delivering exceptional client service with strategic oversight and operational excellence by managing a portfolio of clients, various account teams and contributing to business development initiatives. From a client perspective, you will be skilled at stepping back and looking at the bigger picture, focusing on key priorities and addressing challenges to drive success for your clients and your team. At this level, there will be commercial responsibility and you’ll be viewed as a leader in your team and will play an important role in the development of junior team members.
The day to day
- Help lead the strategic direction and delivery of client projects, ensuring timelines, quality standards, and client expectations are consistently met.
- Support Directors in providing clear roles, responsibilities, and motivation to account teams, combining strong delegation with hands‑on project oversight.
- Deliver proactive, high‑level counsel to clients, building trusted relationships and confidently navigating challenging conversations when needed.
- Help oversee the development and implementation of public affairs strategies and multi‑disciplinary plans, ensuring measurable impact.
- Working with the senior director team, maintain oversight of account quality control, ensuring all outputs reflect Grayling’s high standards and positive reputation.
- Draft scopes of work, support the leadership team in developing fee and cost budgets, and monitor service levels—flagging over/under‑servicing and identifying growth opportunities.
- Provide leadership on stakeholder and policy engagement, drawing on your own network and strategic insight to guide team activities.
- Lead on complex written deliverables such as detailed strategies, policy documents, and commentary, while mentoring junior colleagues to develop their writing skills.
- Nurture team culture by fostering a collaborative, supportive environment and driving development through coaching, feedback, and recognition.
- Support the Wales Director in mentoring and providing feedback to junior staff.
- Confidently lead client meetings when required and present strategies with authority, clarity, and influence.
- Play a key role in new business, contributing to proposals, leading pitch responses, and maintaining an active external network to support pipeline growth.
What Will Give You The Edge
- Previous experience of account management gained within a public affairs agency environment is essential, alongside a deep understanding, knowledge of and interest in both Welsh and UK politics.
- Excellent understanding of both politics and policy development processes, preferably gained within a public affairs agency environment.
- The ability to speak Welsh is highly desirable but not essential.
- Experience in converting new business opportunities to revenue.
- Demonstrate an ability to deliver strategic political counsel to clients, bridging between political and business priorities.
- Naturally curious, with a strong drive to learn, grow, and apply new knowledge to continuously improve performance and personal development.
- A skilled communicator – persuasive in meetings, clear in written work, and compelling in presentations.
- Confident networker with great connections within politics, policy and business.
- Self‑aware and able to adapt personal style and approach to clients and team.
Our promises to you
- Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid working, a work from anywhere policy, flexi time and 4pm Friday finishes.
- 25 days’ holiday, increasing by one day every year up to 30 days.
- Additional day of leave on your birthday & gifted time off over Christmas.
- A monthly cash allowance to use on the benefits most important to you - you'll have the freedom to choose how you enjoy it!
- Enhanced family‑friendly policies.
- Free subscription to Calm app.
- Office perks including free breakfasts & fruit.
- An abundance of personal development opportunities, through our internal training programmes.
- New business and employee referral bonuses.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Employee Assistance Programme offering a 24/7 confidential advice line.
- Life assurance.
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. If you need any adjustments during the application process, we’re here to help - just let us know.
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