Director, Corporate Communications
About Hawthorn
Hawthorn Advisors is one of London’s fastest growing strategic communications consultancies and one of the most dynamic and rewarding places to work in the sector. We are based in London and are launching in New York and internationally. We are completely focused on helping businesses, organisations and their leaders navigate the complex and rapidly changing economic, political, and social landscapes in which they operate, whilst developing our people to help them achieve these objectives.
A career at Hawthorn presents opportunities to work across different specialisms and a range of sectors, and to broaden and deepen experience, working with some outstanding talent. The specific services we offer derive from our own expertise and include advising our clients in the following areas: Corporate reputation and leadership; Crisis and Litigation; Political advisory; Growth Companies and Capital Markets; Digital Strategy; Purpose and ESG; Employee Communication and Engagement and International.
Hawthorn comprises an ambitious senior leadership team, all with acclaimed expertise from the highest levels of the corporate, political and media worlds. We combine the knowledge and wisdom of our senior leadership team with an exceptional team of strategic communications and digital specialists across our consultancy to deliver truly impactful and commercially successful projects for our international client base.
Renowned for honest and experienced counsel, Hawthorn uses in-depth intelligence, creativity, and its connectivity and knowledge to build communication programmes across all platforms that respond effectively to our clients’ needs.
Our People
At Hawthorn, we put our clients and our people at the heart of everything we do. We empower our colleagues with the freedom and autonomy that enables them to deliver outstanding results for our clients. We thrive on challenges, embrace innovative ideas, and believe in having fun along the way. If you’re seeking a dynamic environment that values creativity, ambition, and entrepreneurial spirit; offers diverse and challenging opportunities; fosters continuous learning; and encourages collaboration among big thinkers, then Hawthorn is the place for you.
Building an inclusive and connected culture is crucial to our success. Hawthorn is a sum of its people, and we believe the best way to drive collaboration, unlock creativity, and enable innovation is through combining different perspectives, experiences, and ideas. Therefore, we are committed to building a diverse and equitable environment where everyone at Hawthorn feels they belong.
Our Values
- Creative: You are an innovative thinker who brings originality and flair to every challenge.
- Ambitious: You are driven and passionate, with an unwavering commitment to achieving both your personal goals and the company’s objectives.
- Entrepreneurial: You are a proactive self-starter, always looking to build networks and capitalize on new opportunities.
- Collaborative: You are a dedicated team player who supports colleagues, builds strong partnerships, and is committed to helping others succeed while delivering impactful results.
- Connected: You excel at forging and maintaining strong relationships, ensuring that ideas and opportunities flow smoothly within the team and with clients.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage client accounts, ensuring high-quality work and client satisfaction.
- Develop, mentor, and lead high-performing teams, providing feedback and addressing performance issues in partnership with the Partners and Senior Directors.
- Collaborate across disciplines to enhance business outcomes and promote a culture of partnership and collaboration.
- Play an active role in supporting organizational initiatives, training, and the development of team members.
- Establish and maintain trusted relationships with clients, providing strategic advice and managing complex issues.
- Lead client presentations, new business pitches, and drive organic growth through cross-selling opportunities.
- Proactively identify and resolve client challenges, ensuring ongoing satisfaction and retention.
- Develop and execute strategic communication campaigns, leveraging a strong understanding of the media landscape.
- Cultivate and maintain a network of media and political contacts, managing inquiries and emerging issues.
- Offer informed advice on media trends and digital strategies to clients.
- Lead business development initiatives, including new business workstreams, fee negotiations, and marketing efforts.
- Ensure efficiency in account practices, incorporating AI tools and other technologies to enhance service delivery.
- Drive visibility for the organization at industry events and maintain a portfolio of external contacts.
- Encourage continuous learning and development within the team, sharing insights, and leading brainstorming sessions.
- Actively support COO initiatives and the Management Board and participate in committees or working groups.
- Support diversity and inclusion initiatives, ensuring equitable treatment and a positive work environment.
Candidate specification
- Candidate must have experience in corporate communications with an innate understanding of the media landscape.
- Strong leadership skills. An inspiring person to work with, clearly showing a collaborative approach to account management and showing an ability to think creatively.
- Strategic advisor to clients with a deep understanding of their industries and markets.
- Wide-ranging experience of supporting responses to issues and crisis management and advising clients.
- Adept at handling sensitive media relations issues.
- Strong relationships with media and broader stakeholder contacts.
- Proficient in business development, client retention, and operational efficiency.
- Exceptional written and verbal communications skills.
Benefits
We offer competitive salaries that fully reflect your skills and experience, and benefits that support your mental, physical, financial, and social wellbeing including:
- Benefits including Pension, Salary Exchange, medical and life insurance, plus cycle to work and technology schemes.
- Flexible working options based around home and office locations, with flexible working patterns.
- Time-off including annual, parental, sabbatical, and volunteering leave.
- 25 days annual leave in year one, 26 days thereafter.
- Annual charity day where an employee can volunteer their time to a chosen charity of their choice
- A continuous learning culture to support your growth.
- Proactive wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), sick leave provision, mental health first-aiders, and menopause app Peppy.
- Office perks including breakfasts, lunches, snacks and drinks.
- A packed social calendar which includes sports and cultural activities, charity bike rides, plus not-to-be missed summer and Christmas parties each year.
