PR Account Director

• Direct reports: Account Manager, Senior Account Executive
• Location: Manchester or Stoke
• Employment Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Lesniak Swann is an award-winning B2B marketing and PR agency. We help companies operating in complex markets earn credibility with the audiences that matter: decision-makers, analysts, investors and trade media.

Our work blends PR, content, thought leadership and integrated campaigns, built on deep sector insight and measurable results. We're proud of a culture that is ambitious, supportive and genuinely collaborative, where great people grow fast and do the best work of their careers.

We're looking for an experienced PR Account Director to lead one of our B2B account teams. You'll work closely with the PR Director and Head of PR on setting the strategic direction for a portfolio of key clients, and act as their senior trusted adviser, turning business objectives into PR programmes that build reputation and drive pipeline.

You'll lead, coach and develop a team, and working with the Head of PR will ensure the team consistently delivers the quality of work we're known for and that our clients expect. You'll also working closely with the PR Director, to grow account revenue and play an active part in new business activities.

• Lead the strategic direction for your B2B clients, shaping PR and communications strategies aligned to their commercial goals.
• Act as senior day-to-day counsel to client stakeholders, including marketing directors, CMOs and C-suite spokespeople.
• Develop integrated campaigns spanning media relations, thought leadership, content, executive profiling, analyst relations and social.
• Challenge clients constructively and bring fresh, insight-led ideas to every account.
• Oversee issues and crisis communications when needed.

• Lead, manage and motivate an Account Manager and a Senior Account Executive.
• Set clear objectives, run regular one-to-ones and appraisals, and support each team member's career development.
• Delegate effectively while ensuring quality control over client outputs, from PR strategy decks to press releases and bylines.
• Build a positive, high-performing team culture and act as a role model across the agency.

• Ensure campaigns are delivered on time, on budget and to a consistently high standard.
• Secure high-impact coverage in relevant trade and technology media, and lead senior media relationships.
• Set meaningful KPIs and lead reporting that links PR activity to business outcomes such as share of voice, excess share of voice, AI citations., message pull-through, web traffic and leads.

• Own account budgets, fee management, forecasting and profitability.
• Identify and develop opportunities to grow existing accounts.
• Contribute to new business, including research, PR strategy, proposal writing and pitching.
• Help shape agency processes, propositions and thought leadership.

• A minimum of eight years' experience, ideally within a B2B agency, with at least two years at Senior Account Manager or Account Director level.
• Proven experience leading and developing a team, with a track record of bringing people on.
• Experience setting PR strategic direction for B2B clients and being their trusted adviser.
• Strong sector knowledge in one or more of: construction, technology, manufacturing, energy or telecoms.
• Excellent media relationships across trade and tech press, with a portfolio of results to show for it.
• Outstanding writing and editing skills, comfortable turning complex or technical subjects into compelling stories.
• Commercial awareness, including managing budgets, fees and account profitability.
• Confident presenter with experience contributing to and winning new business pitches.
• B2B automotive sector experience, such as OEMs, suppliers, fleet, aftermarket or mobility brands.
• Influencer marketing experience, including identifying and working with B2B industry voices and creators.
• GEO (generative engine optimisation) reporting, tracking how clients appear in AI search tools and answer engines alongside traditional SEO and coverage metrics.
• Experience in integrated campaigns across content, social, digital and paid amplification.
• Analyst relations, awards or event-led programmes.
• Experience with international or multi-market B2B accounts.
• A natural leader who is supportive, clear and leads by example.
• Calm under pressure, highly organised and able to juggle multiple priorities.
• Curious, creative and proactive in bringing ideas to clients.
• Collaborative, positive and committed to the success of the team and agency.

• Competitive salary of £47,000 - £51,000, plus bonus scheme.
• Private medical cover and pension contribution%.
• Dedicated training budget.
• Wellbeing support, team socials and team away days.
• The chance to work on high-profile B2B brands with a talented, supportive team.

Lesniak Swann is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are happy to discuss flexible working or any adjustments you need during the process.