Account Director – Impact (Sustainability and Social Impact)
Edelman is a voice synonymous with trust, reimagining a future where the currency of communication is action. Our culture thrives on three promises: boldness is possibility, empathy is progress, and curiosity is momentum. At Edelman, we understand diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) transform our colleagues, our company, our clients, and our communities. We are in relentless pursuit of an equitable and inspiring workplace that is respectful of all, reflects and represents the world in which we live, and fosters trust, collaboration and belonging.
Background The Edelman Impact team is growing. We advise a range of Edelman’s biggest clients on their strategies and programmes to address social and environmental issues in order to build their reputation with a range of stakeholders, from investors to consumers. We develop and deploy stand out purpose positioning and highly successful brand and corporate communications for a wide range of clients. Today our work includes advising DP World, Unilever, IKEA, Mars, Starbucks, Novartis and many others and we have the opportunity to work with organisations from right across Edelman’s enviable client list. Passionate about developing creative ideas underpinned by clear strategic thinking and deep specialist expertise, we help the world’s biggest brands connect with their audiences, we work collaboratively across the entire Edelman network to transform reputations and deliver measurable impact. We work in close partnership with our Strategy and Planning colleagues, and the teams in our Brand and Corporate practices. In order to continue to grow and deliver at a pace, we’re now looking for an energetic and ambitious Account Director to play a lead role in supporting the growth of this specialist function. This role is based in London with the opportunity to work on EMEA and global projects. You will also work in collaboration with senior team colleagues to continue to build and refine our offer and product set. Additionally, using key insights and Edelman’s owned IP, particularly the Trust Barometer, you will build strong strategic platforms and have the competence to present to and influence top tier clients.
Key Responsibilities
- Advising clients confidently and maturely on impactful campaigns to drive reputation on environmental and social issues, including PR, digital, social and content creation and measurement
- Expert leadership and counsel for selected sustainability, social impact and purpose projects, providing expert advice to our clients and colleagues on their strategies and campaigns as part of an integrated team
- Designing and delivering social impact programmes for clients, often identifying and establishing partnerships with civil society and NGOs
- Taking responsibility for the continuing development of our offer and team, developing junior team members, and line management responsibilities
- Writing PR proposals and other strategic communications materials to grow existing accounts
- Support and develop Edelman’s IP and marketing initiatives, helping to develop our position in the market and maximising the role of the Edelman Trust Barometer for existing and potential clients
- Harnessing a range of AI tools to support our clients
Experience, Skill and Qualifications required
- Proven experience working with leading brands and businesses on sustainability, social impact or purpose strategies and campaigns – a breadth of experience across environmental and social activities is preferred but not essential
- Experienced in theories of change, behaviour change, impact measurement and reporting
- Proven ability to develop and manage multistakeholder partnerships focused on positive societal impact
- Strong, proven track record of high level client advisory and counsel
- Confidence in working with multidiscipline client side teams – for example, experience working with corporate affairs, marketing, sustainability, procurement and HR teams within a client organisation
- Strong creative capabilities and best in class delivery of campaigns end to end
- Strong understanding of AI, digital and other technologies for storytelling and communications
- Proven ability in identifying areas of growth and opportunity for clients
- Proven leadership skills with the ability to inspire and unite teams behind the offer, with experience of successfully selling in those concepts to clients and seeing them through to execution
- Global experience and mindset: understanding of diverse global market needs and cultural nuances.
We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t perfectly align with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. It started with one man’s passion to make an impact through stories… 70 years later, we are the world’s largest communications firm, which fosters an environment where people feel empowered to take the kind of bold action that makes careers, reshapes industries, and creates the unexpected. We are one global team, over 6,000 strong across 60 offices, grounded by our shared values. We promise an experience where our employees see that boldness is possibility, empathy is progress, and curiosity is momentum. Since Dan Edelman founded the firm in 1952, we have remained an independent, family-run business, and our culture is one that brings understanding, collaboration, and respect to our work and to each other. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) transform our colleagues, our clients, and our communities, and propel us forward as a company. At Edelman, we are in relentless pursuit of a fair and inspiring workplace that is respectful to all, reflects and represents the world in which we live, and fosters trust and collaboration. Each day and on each project, we strive to ensure that our colleagues feel a sense of true inclusion and belonging and can bring their best to their work— taking action and shaping impactful moments and movements within our company, on behalf of our clients, and within communities around the globe. The relentless pursuit of excellence The freedom to be constantly curious The courage to do the right thing The commitment to positively impact society. We grow our people We invite and celebrate differences Our reputation is our brand We’re global, yet local We offer more than just a career – we offer a place to grow, make a meaningful impact, and help drive change alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry. Our culture is built on trust, innovation, and inclusivity, where unique perspectives are not only welcomed, but celebrated. At Edelman, your ambitions are supported, your voice matters and your work contributes to shaping the future of communications and clients’ business.
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