Vice President / Acct Director, Personal Finance

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.

About the role

We are looking for an exceptional Account Director to join our Financial Services team and help lead communications programmes for some of the UK's best-known consumer financial brands.

This is a role for someone who lives and breathes personal finance, consumer affairs and household economics. You will work across a portfolio of clients spanning retail banking, wealth and investing, fintech, insurance, savings, mortgages and price comparison, helping organisations tell compelling stories that resonate with consumers, journalists, policymakers and regulators.

The ideal candidate will be as comfortable discussing ISA reform, insurance pricing, mortgage affordability and consumer duty as they are pitching a national news story, advising a senior spokesperson or developing a thought leadership campaign.

You may currently work in an agency, in-house communications team, newsroom or journalism role. What matters most is a deep understanding of the UK consumer finance landscape, excellent media instincts and a proven ability to generate impactful coverage and results.

What you'll do

• Lead day-to-day communications programmes for a portfolio of consumer financial services clients.
• Develop and execute proactive media strategies that secure high-impact coverage across national, consumer, business and trade media.
• Identify compelling news angles from client announcements, research, data and market developments.
• Build strong relationships with personal finance, consumer affairs, business and news journalists.
• Advise senior client stakeholders on media engagement, messaging, issues management and reputation.
• Create integrated campaigns that combine research, thought leadership, content and earned media.
• Translate complex financial products, regulation and market developments into clear, engaging stories.
• Support business development activity, credentials presentations and new business opportunities.
• Mentor and develop junior team members, helping to build a high-performing and ambitious practice.

What we're looking for

Essential

• 5-7+ years' experience in communications, public relations, journalism or related fields.
• Strong experience across consumer or retail financial services.
• Demonstrable success securing coverage in national, consumer and specialist media.
• Excellent understanding of the UK media landscape, particularly: Personal financeConsumer affairsBusiness and money pagesBroadcast newsFinancial services trade titles
• Strong understanding of the economic and policy issues affecting UK households, including: Cost of livingSavings and investingMortgagesInsurancePensionsConsumer creditRetail banking
• Ability to turn complex regulatory and financial topics into engaging media stories.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong client handling experience and confidence working with senior stakeholders.

Desirable

• Experience working with retail banking, investing, fintech, insurance or wealth management brands.
• Existing relationships with leading personal finance and consumer reporters.
• Experience generating coverage across TV, radio and broadcast.
• Familiarity with regulatory developments affecting consumer financial services.
• Experience managing integrated research-led campaigns.
• NCTJ qualification or journalism background.

We would particularly love to hear from people who are

• Currently working in a communications agency specialising in financial services.
• In-house at a financial services, fintech, banking, investing or insurance organisation.
• Personal finance or consumer affairs journalists looking to move into communications.
• Passionate about helping millions of consumers make better financial decisions.
• Excited by the prospect of working with some of the UK's most recognised and trusted financial brands.

Why join us?

You'll join one of the UK's leading financial services communications teams, working alongside specialists in banking, investing, pensions, fintech and insurance.

You'll have the opportunity to shape conversations around the issues that matter most to consumers, from financial resilience and retirement planning to innovation in banking, investing and insurance, while working with market-leading brands and some of the UK's most influential journalists.

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.