Posted 1 week ago

Associate Client Director

AP090 Edelman Australia Pty Ltd Australia, Melbourne, Australia
Remote Full Time

Job description

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. In today’s environment, attention is earned through credibility, relevance, and action. Organisations are navigating increasingly complex stakeholder landscapes, evolving media dynamics, and heightened expectations around reputation, leadership visibility, and business impact. Edelman works at the intersection of earned creativity, strategic communications, and trust - helping brands and organisations tell stories that matter and earn influence where it counts. The Associate Client Director is a senior communications lead responsible for driving integrated earned media and reputation programs for clients across corporate, B2B, and technology sectors. This role combines strategic communications counsel, media expertise, operational leadership, and strong client management to deliver high-impact work across campaigns, executive profiling, thought leadership, announcements, and always-on communications programs. Working closely with senior leaders and integrated specialist teams, the Associate Client Director will lead day-to-day client relationships, oversee complex account workflows, and ensure programs are delivered with strategic rigour, operational excellence, and commercial accountability. The successful candidate will bring strong media instincts, excellent program management capability, and the ability to navigate fast-moving stakeholder environments with confidence, calm, and collaboration. SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES AND REQUIREMENTS Serve as a senior day-to-day strategic partner to clients, leading programs across modern earned media, reputation, corporate communications, executive visibility, and thought leadership. Shape narratives, storylines, and media recommendations grounded in a strong understanding of client business priorities, audiences, and the broader Australian media landscape. Lead integrated account planning, building clear workback schedules, action trackers, ownership maps, and delivery plans across campaigns, announcements, executive visibility programs, and always-on media activity. Bring strong program and project management discipline, proactively managing timelines, dependencies, approvals, blockers, and stakeholder inputs to keep complex workstreams moving at pace. Create operational rigour across accounts, ensuring priorities, actions, deadlines, and follow-ups are clearly documented, visible to the team, and consistently progressed. Lead account planning and program design informed by the full B2B spectrum, from the needs and behaviours of SMBs through to the complex decision-making processes of large enterprises. Drive strong earned and media outcomes through active journalist relationships, credible strategic counsel, and smart angle development. Write and oversee high-quality communications materials including media releases, pitches, messaging frameworks, op-eds, executive briefing documents, and thought leadership content. Confidently pitch stories to journalists and editors, tailoring angles to priority outlets, verticals, and audience interest Monitor issues, trends, competitor activity, and industry developments to identify proactive and reactive communications opportunities. Manage team workflows, deliverables, and deadlines to ensure consistent quality, accountability, and seamless delivery across accounts. Demonstrate smart time management and prioritisation, balancing competing deadlines, knowing when to escalate issues, and bringing structure and calm to busy periods so high-quality work is consistently delivered. Be a collaborative team player, working closely with colleagues across levels and functions, supporting junior team members, and contributing to a positive, solutions-focused team culture. Provide clear guidance, mentoring, and support to junior team members, helping strengthen media instincts, communications craft, client service, and confidence. Support senior leaders in forecasting, budgeting, scopes of work, and overall account health. EXPERIENCE AND EXPECTATIONS At least 8+ years of relevant experience in Communications Marketing and/or related fields, including research, management consulting, media or publishing Strong earned media operator with deep knowledge of the Australian media landscape and what drives coverage today. Experienced in B2B communications and comfortable navigating complex business environments, stakeholder groups, decision-making structures, and technical subject matter. Highly organised with strong program management instincts and the ability to manage multiple concurrent workstreams with confidence and precision. Excellent writer, storyteller, and strategic thinker with proven pitching success and strong editorial judgement. Calm under pressure, solutions-oriented, and proactive in identifying risks, resolving blockers, and driving momentum. Collaborative and commercially minded, with strong attention to detail and a commitment to delivery excellence. Edelman is committed to creating equality and diversity in our workforce. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, nationality, disability gender or age. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply. It started with one man’s passion to make an impact through stories… 70 years later, we are the world’s largest communications firm, which fosters an environment where people feel empowered to take the kind of bold action that makes careers, reshapes industries, and creates the unexpected. We are one global team, over 6,000 strong across 60 offices, grounded by our shared values. We promise an experience where our employees see that boldness is possibility, empathy is progress, and curiosity is momentum. Since Dan Edelman founded the firm in 1952, we have remained an independent, family-run business, and our culture is one that brings understanding, collaboration, and respect to our work and to each other. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) transform our colleagues, our clients, and our communities, and propel us forward as a company. At Edelman, we are in relentless pursuit of a fair and inspiring workplace that is respectful to all, reflects and represents the world in which we live, and fosters trust and collaboration. Each day and on each project, we strive to ensure that our colleagues feel a sense of true inclusion and belonging and can bring their best to their work— taking action and shaping impactful moments and movements within our company, on behalf of our clients, and within communities around the globe. The relentless pursuit of excellence The freedom to be constantly curious The courage to do the right thing The commitment to positively impact society. We grow our people We invite and celebrate differences Our reputation is our brand We’re global, yet local We offer more than just a career – we offer a place to grow, make a meaningful impact, and help drive change alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry. Our culture is built on trust, innovation, and inclusivity, where unique perspectives are not only welcomed, but celebrated. At Edelman, your ambitions are supported, your voice matters and your work contributes to shaping the future of communications and clients’ business. Join our talent community to receive the latest DJE Holdings news and content, and to be notified when job openings match your skills and experience.

Skills and functions

  • Marketing