Senior Manager / Account Director,… at Weber Shandwick · Tokyo

Who is Weber Shandwick? Part of The Weber Shandwick Collective (TWSC), we’re the earned-first global communications agency, led by world-class strategic thinkers and creative activators. We create shared and sustainable value for businesses, people, and society. We energise the right mix of talent, using the right platforms and latest technology to choreograph stories that make a real and meaningful impact for some of the world’s leading brands and businesses.

Our game-changing work is recognised by some of the most prestigious industry awards bodies, and we have won more than 135 Lions at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. We’re also PRWeek’s 2024 Global Agency of the Year as well as being listed on the Ad Age A-List 2024 and Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies 2024.

What’s Happening?

Weber Shandwick is looking for a Senior Manager/Account Director , Client Experience – Technology (title commensurate with experience) to join our growing focused on supporting clients in the technology space, including enterprise software, electronics and semiconductor manufacturing.

In this role, you will play a critical role in driving long-term success of our Technology practice, serving as day-to-day client liaison, recommending programs and activities to meet client goals, effectively managing external communications projects, delivering sound counsel and managing account budgets. The ideal candidate has a background in broad corporate communications with strong capability in media relations and experience – or strong interest – in technology.

What will you be doing?

• Develop a strong understanding of the client’s business and target audiences and work collaboratively with strategists and creative team members to deliver solutions that meet program objectives
• Develop strategic messaging for clients and support creation of media plans and proposals that take an integrated approach to driving awareness with target audiences both domestically and globally
• Foster meaningful relationships with media reporters, and facilitate interviews and meetings for client-side spokespeople with media liaisons
• Develop executive positioning programs and generate talking points/topics for executives taking part in interviews and appearances
• Develop integrated programs that leverage earned, paid and social media
• Create engaging and eye-grabbing story ideas and topic angles, oversee team in developing media materials, and pitch media to land earned coverage
• Manage existing client relationships and develop potential for new clients to grow the Tech team business
• Support client spokesperson training
• Serve as the client contact for crisis preparedness and response
• Support internal communication programs
• Foster growth and team development as a leader on the Tech practice and support the management of junior members
• Participate in office-wide initiatives, seminars, and meetings to further professional learning and development.

Qualifications

• Fluent Japanese (Ability to conduct business smoothly in Japanese)
• High Business English (Ability to conduct business at the basic level in English)
• 5-7 years of communications experience, preferably in an agency environment
• Strong experience planning and executing Tech projects and product PR strategies and tactics
• Strong experience in traditional media relations (newspapers, magazines, TV programmes, etc.)
• Ability to efficiently navigate and utilise social media

Competencies

• Business Acumen – align talent strategies to drive business goals
• Client Service – client focus and ability to build trust and rapport across all levels
• Project Management – ability to delegate tasks and plan/execute projects to meet target deadlines
• Proactivity – exhibit relentless pursuit for new and innovative talent strategies
• Collaboration – build strong relationships at all levels across the organization
• Critical Thinking – ask probing questions; anticipate and address critical talent gaps and needs
• Conflict Resolution – possess sound judgment and savvy in navigating and resolving complex talent and organizational issues

About our Client Experience Community

Members of our Client Experience Community are business partners to our clients by helping them to address opportunities or issues with communications strategies. We are the instigators of great work, lead the strategic development of integrated, cross-platform solutions and serve as the client’s advocate, ensuring quality ideas and an outstanding client experience. Client experience teams set the agenda and vision for our partners, lead the development of our best work and create fruitful client relationships. We explore marketplace opportunities and client needs to grow our relationships and increase our value as a trusted partner to our clients in their best and most challenging days.

Note from the team

Weber Shandwick is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Weber Shandwick is committed to building a culture where all employees are seen as equal, are respected and where all opinions are heard. We take pride in our inclusive hiring, as well as our diverse workforce and we welcome applications from all qualified candidates.

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