Editorial Project Director - WordAppeal

About WordAppeal

WordAppeal, a subsidiary of Pelham Media Ltd., is an editorial and digital consulting agency that serves leading international companies (Air France, Air Liquide, Alcatel-Lucent, AREVA, BNP Paribas, Capgemini, Pernod Ricard, Renault, Societe Generale, Veolia Environnement, etc.).

Founded in 2000 by two former journalists from The Economist, WordAppeal has grown rapidly. It is a major player in its sector, with 2011 revenue totaling €9.1 million and a gross profit margin of €7.5 million. Today, the company employs 62 consultants from seven different countries. It has offices in Paris, London, Washington, D.C. and San Francisco. Thanks to its unique positioning, WordAppeal aims to expand to 80 employees and increase revenue to €13 million by 2013.

Prerequisite

English mother tongue, the successful candidate will have exceptional and proven editorial skills. She/he will be able to write or edit in chief a large range of communication materials, such as internet websites, CEO speeches, product descriptions, intranets, blogs and tweets.

Overview of the position

The agency is organized by client groups, each consisting of prestigious clients from a variety of sectors. We provide them with services and advice covering a wide spectrum of communication challenges and needs (corporate, internal, marketing, etc.). You will be responsible for one of these client groups:
- Guaranteeing the quality of deliverables for your client group
- Providing frequent and in-depth advice for clients
- Ensuring high-quality client relationships
- Selecting, organizing, training and motivating the teams who work on these accounts

You will also actively develop these accounts with the support of the agency’s sales team.
In 2012, you will manage a team numbering between 2 and 4 people, with the potential for this to rise to 15 in 2015.
A veritable cornerstone of the agency, you are strongly implicated in its development and contribute actively to its strategic decisions.

Detailed position responsibilities

1. Client-facing responsibilities

a. Quality: you are ultimately responsible for the quality of client deliverables. As the guarantor of quality, you ensure that projects are carried out on time and with total respect for industry best practices.
b. Personal contribution: a true representative of the agency, you successfully design and manage projects of all sizes; you know what it takes to motivate your team and to help them succeed; you exceed clients’ expectations by producing tangible and measurable results; you manage each of your projects in order to achieve the level of profitability expected, as well as the level of added value for the clients.
c. Problem solving: you have an excellent ability to identify problems, evaluate their importance and potential impact, and to define and implement solutions effectively; you are able to make decisions quickly.

2. Management of a team of editorial project managers

a. Team management: you supervise the production of each of your team members, notably by acting as the Editor in Chief on all their written work. You possess the authority and confidence necessary to establish your credibility and to produce results; you supervise and give direction to team members, enabling them to reach their personal objectives and commitments made to clients. You are able to successfully deal with any crises as they occur, maintaining a calm and constructive attitude and proposing a clear course of action in order to resolve the issues at hand.
b. Training: you actively develop your team members’ skills (editorial, project management, giving advice on communication, use of web and online media, and so on) and ensure that you keep your own skills up to date (active research and reading, exchange with other members of staff, etc.).
c. Buddying: you act as a “buddy” to newer team members with enthusiasm and in accordance with established practices. You help align staff objectives with those of the agency. You are responsible for undertaking an annual performance review for each of your team members.
d. Recruitment: you actively participate in the recruitment of new team members.

3. Account development in association with the sales team

a. Client relationships: you build solid relationships with representatives of your clients and with the agency’s many partners. You ensure that clients receive all relevant communications regarding the agency and its development.
b. Deepening relationships: constantly in touch with your clients and aware of their needs and challenges (internal or sector-related), you identify possible opportunities for development and actively anticipate possible needs; in close association with the sales team, you put together recommendations and proposals which catch your clients’ attention and inspire enthusiasm, putting forward all the agency’s solutions. You write commercial proposals and estimates for specific subjects, and you play a vital role in the presentation of proposals during the tender process.

Profile sought

Specific qualities sought
Commitment to excellence
Excellent reasoning and analytical abilities
Excellent capacity to think strategically

Seniority
You possess at least 5 years relevant work experience.

Starting date
As soon as possible.

Remuneration
To define according to the candidate’s experience. Salary + bonus.

Contact
Mathieu Fraissinet, tel.: +33 1 43 38 90 20.
Please send your CV and covering letter to recrutement@wordappeal.com.

For further information regarding the company, including its recruitment processes and other job offers, please visit us at www.wordappeal.com.