Associate Director, Public Affairs

Job Description
The Associate Director plays a pivotal role as a workstream and team leader, taking ownership of client relationships and ensuring they are managed effectively. In this capacity, the Associate Director oversees client projects by guiding project teams and delegating tasks with precision, ensuring smooth execution and alignment with objectives.

Beyond project management, the Associate Director is responsible for shaping strategies that support the client's goals. This includes developing comprehensive public affairs and advocacy plans, accurately scoping and pricing work, and managing activities and resources within agreed budgets. A key part of the role also involves identifying and pursuing new business opportunities, demonstrating both strategic vision and a proactive approach to growth.

Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential, as the Associate Director interacts with all levels of staff and serves as the primary point of contact for clients. By maintaining these relationships and driving strategic initiatives, the Associate Director ensures that client needs are met while fostering long-term partnerships.

Demonstrating Successful Performance As An Associate Director

• Independently manages client relationships effectively
• Organizes teams around business development opportunities and manages proposal process ensuring quality of thinking, APCO's work standards and accurate scoping of work
• Develops positive reputation and has visibility within the APCO network and may also be viewed as a thought leader in the market
• Establishes strong network across APCO and engages in productive exchanges with colleagues to promote knowledge sharing and to drive new business opportunities
• Nurtures a strong and valuable external network of political and institutional stakeholders and KOLs to provide first-hand intelligence and secure access to relevant decision makers and influencers. Maintains a clear focus on identifying and driving new business opportunities as routine activity
• Confidently leads internal and client meetings, offering knowledgeable observations and suggestions; establishing credibility by insights shared; encouraging and motivating others to communicate ideas
• Serves as principal client contact; knows when to leverage senior level relationships within APCO to further build the relationship within the client organization
• Consistently demonstrates APCO's values in all interactions with colleagues, vendors and clients
• Demonstrates strong strategic thinking and the ability to approach challenges with a long-term perspective
• Proactively identifies external meetings and trainings to attend to enhance sector knowledge and contacts
• Demonstrates an understanding of effective project management, can effectively address issues, and understands how managing account engagements tie to APCO's business success and makes changes as necessary to improve account performance
• Participates in annual business planning, forecasting opportunity with clients managed
• Takes ownership and actively engages in team member development; demonstrating thoughtful planning to increase individual skill sets by setting smart objectives
• Meets or exceeds assigned utilization/ABP targets
• Demonstrates performance in growing clients organically and actively pursues new opportunities with prospects
• Shares opportunities across the network looking for the best resources to service the account(s)

Qualifications

• Ideally, between 7 and 10 years' cross-market experience in public affairs and lobbying projects. Prior consulting experience is a must.
• Public affairs experience , ideally on a Pan-European level . Knowledge of the tech and retail industry is preferred.
• Proficiency in both written and spoken English is a must.
• Solid project management experience and a proven ability to manage multiple projects and client initiatives and teams of both junior and senior colleagues.
• Able to demonstrate exceptional presentation, writing and analytical skills, including experience writing strategic plans and messages.
• Excellent time-management skills; able to operate under pressure and in a fast-paced environment.

About APCO
ABOUT US
APCO is a global advisory and advocacy firm helping leading corporations, foundations and governments navigate a complex world and create lasting impact.

Founded in 1984, with one woman's vision and bold action, APCO has grown into an independent, majority women-owned firm of more than 1,200 employees with work spanning 80 markets around the world.

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., APCO is comprised of strategic advisers, consultants and creators, working together across borders and functions, to provide services and expertise on financial, competitive, political and societal issues.

APCO is a trusted partner to bold purpose-led leaders, lawmakers, government officials, NGOs, the media and other stakeholders in the health, energy, technology, transportation & infrastructure and food & consumer products sectors. For 40 years, the firm has provided public affairs, crisis & reputation, impact, corporate reputation and global solutions services.

APCO is renowned for its ability to champion clients' interests and permission to operate , build their reputation and strengthen their standing. APCO's integrated approach and team of tenacious and empathic talent create connections and winning strategies that accelerate progress and deepen impact.

By bringing diverse people and ideas together, and working beyond traditional boundaries, APCO builds the un/common ground upon which progress is made.