Account Manager, Strategy & Insight team - Headland
Headland is one of the UK’s leading communications consultancies, trusted by major businesses to navigate complexity, scrutiny and change. We champion collaboration and a wide range of perspectives to build the reputations of our clients.
We are looking for a talented Account Manager to join our Strategy and Insight team.
Headland’s growing Strategy and Insight team uses research from a variety of sources to help clients develop messaging, reputation strategies and commercial propositions that support their business goals. We’re looking for someone with experience using insight and research methods to shape communications strategies.
This role works across the breadth of Headland’s client portfolio, spanning multiple sectors and audience groups. These may include consumers, voters, employees, politicians, regulators, experts, investors, analysts and the media.
Alongside contributing to new business, you’ll advise a range of innovative and high-profile organisations — from fast-growing start-ups to global market leaders. Our clients include major technology companies (OpenAI, TikTok), food and retail brands (New Look, Nestlé), organisations driving the energy transition (Agratas, ScottishPower), and financial and professional services firms (Accenture, Legal & General).
The role (responsibilities)
* Independently lead the design, delivery and reporting of research projects (qualitative, quantitative and desk-based)
* Contribute to large strategy projects (e.g. narrative development, positioning)
* Explore and apply new methodologies, including analytics tools and AI capabilities, working with suppliers and colleagues across the agency
* Manage projects end-to-end, ensuring smooth delivery and high-quality client service
* Coordinate and manage workloads effectively with colleagues at all levels, including supporting and guiding junior team members
* Across all stages of a project:
* New business: Support proposal development and contribute to pitches. Contribute to wider new business and marketing activity
* Design: Recommend fieldwork partners and research approaches. Develop innovative methodologies, including AI-led tools and media listening techniques
* Fieldwork: Moderate focus groups and manage logistics. Oversee fieldwork partners and deliver desk-based research
* Analysis: Lead the development of insight reports. Translate research findings into clear, actionable insights
* Reporting: Present findings clearly and visually. Deliver presentations to colleagues and clients
Who we’re looking for (essential skills and experience)
* Experience advising on communications within a research-focused agency or a communications consultancy
* Experience delivering fieldwork across qualitative, quantitative and analytics-based methodologies
* Experience working on consumer and politically focused research
* Ability to design and adapt research approaches to meet a range of client needs
* Comfortable presenting research ideas, findings and recommendations to clients
* Strong analytical skills, including working with raw data (e.g. Excel) and producing high-quality outputs (PowerPoint and Word)
* A proactive approach, with curiosity and a willingness to explore and challenge complex issues
Desirable skills and experience
* Experience in media, stakeholder, employee and/or investor research
* Ability to champion insight-led thinking internally and with clients
* Experience with advanced statistical techniques, data analysis and/or data visualisation
* Experience developing new research approaches or methodologies in collaboration with partners to extend our offer
Inclusion and accessibility
We’re an equal opportunities employer and welcome candidates from all backgrounds. We hire for ‘culture add’, not ‘culture fit’, and are committed to creating an inclusive working environment where different perspectives are valued.
If you require any adjustments during the interview or selection process, please let a member of the team know.
We’re proud to have been awarded full accreditation by The Blueprint — an industry standard that promotes greater diversity in PR and communications by helping organisations attract, retain and nurture Black, Asian, Mixed Race and Ethnic Minority talent. Learn more: https://thisistheblueprint.co.uk/
Interested?
Ready to take the next step in your career? Great. Please apply via LinkedIn with your CV and a cover note. We look forward to hearing from you.
You can find out more about us here: https://www.headlandconsultancy.com/