We recently welcomed Khadra to intern at Cicero/amo for a month in our public affairs and corporate communications teams, with the following Q&A completed at the end of her time here.

Click here to read Khadra’s account of her experience across the month.

• What was your favourite thing about interning at Cicero/amo?

My favourite thing has been the team culture, as everyone has been super friendly and accommodating, making me feel valued as an intern. In my first week, I had introductory meetings with different members of the Cicero/amo team, and it was so inspiring to hear their stories and passion for their roles. I believe I have met someone from every branch of the Cicero/amo team and it has been so interesting to see how each team has different areas of expertise.

Another thing I have loved about interning at Cicero has been the flexibility and diversity of tasks I have been given which has enabled me to gain a real flavour of both Public Affairs and Corporate Communications. The different tasks I have worked on have enabled me to gain a deeper understanding of key issues and complexities across sectors. I am now leaving Cicero/amo with a broader and more nuanced understanding of FinTech, government, business and defence.

Working remotely, I could connect to my team and easily ask questions which has been useful when working on new and unfamiliar tasks.

• What work are you most proud of?

I am most proud of the different tasks I have completed, from research to stakeholder mapping, summarising reports and reaching out to journalists. This has allowed me to gain an unparalleled insight into Public Affairs and Corporate Communications.

I had never worked on stakeholder mapping, but throughout this internship I have been given lots of opportunities to do so which has enabled me to quickly become skilled at an important task.

• How have you found working with your team(s)?

I have really enjoyed working with each team as they are both friendly, welcoming and funny which made it super easy to fit in. What I have noticed is that both teams are a little competitive and are keen for me to state which team is best which is super funny!

Both teams are super accessible, and each member of staff has gone above and beyond in checking up on me, providing sound advice and giving feedback, which helps me improve.

I have truly enjoyed working with the Public Affairs and Corporate Communications team and it has been an invaluable experience to be part of a global strategic agency.

• What is the most interesting thing you have worked on during the internship?

It’s so hard to pick just one – but the most interesting thing I have worked on has to be the research on cryptocurrency, FinTech and open banking. These are areas that align with my interests and it was so exciting to work with experts in this area and see how my research will impact strategy.

I have found all my tasks across Public Affairs and Corporate Communications dynamic and engaging!

• What are your take-aways from the internship?

My key takeaways from this internship include:

1. Internal communication is key: Throughout this internship, I have made it a priority to keep my manager informed of my current workload, whether I am having difficulty completing a task and whether I would like to work on a different sector.

2. Ask questions: Asking questions about the tasks I have been given, providing regular updates and clarifying them has enabled me to make sure I am on the right path when completing tasks, to produce high quality pieces of work.

3. Reach out to the team: Working remotely has made it easier for me to communicate and schedule calls with my team which has been a useful way to get feedback as well as consolidating the connection with my colleagues.

4. Stay connected: As I have met with most of my team in the office, I have added them on LinkedIn and will stay in touch. I am interested in how the teams will get on in the future and have no doubt they’ll be hitting further milestones.

5. Be proactive: I have always looked for opportunities to learn and support my colleagues in their day-to-day job. This has meant I have helped achieve short turnrounds and have gained team-wide exposure is so valuable as an intern.

This internship was organised through the Taylor Bennett Foundation’s summer stars programme. The Taylor Bennett Foundation is a charity that exists to encourage black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) graduates to pursue a career in communications, seeking to address the need for greater diversity in the public relations industry.

If you would like to find out more about similar opportunities at Cicero/amo, please do get in touch.

Cicero/amo is looking to recruit a Director to lead and oversee our successful corporate PR team. This role is to manage and lead the entire corporate PR function at Cicero/amo. This role will sit within the company’s operations committee with significant influence not only within the PR team but the wider business.

As the PR business lead, this role will focus on leading the strategic direction of the team, ensuring excellent delivery and retention of current clients, generating new business and hitting growth targets, ownership and responsibility for the PR team’s P&L, and leading & developing our talented people within the team.

We are looking for someone who wants to challenge themselves in a new environment with a proven ability to lead and inspire teams, a trusted pair of hands to retain our current clients and the ambition and drive that fits with our growth plans.

Skills required

The ideal candidate will have:

• 7+ years of Corporate PR experience;
• At least 3 years’ experience in a senior role within a PR agency;
• Experience leading on a portfolio of corporate PR client accounts with excellent account and client management skills;
• Excellent people management and leadership skills;
• Strong new business track record and the ability to demonstrate proactive new business activity;
• Excellent client retention track record;
• Strategic and integrative mindset;
• Business and financial acumen to successfully run a P&L;
• Proven ability to hit financial targets;
• A strong network of contacts in the corporate PR sector;
• A strong network of media and journalist contacts;
• Exceptional writing ability;
• Excellent interpersonal listening and communication skills – with all stakeholders both internally and externally;
• Experience of resource and budget management;
• Excellent pitch conversation rates;
• A willingness to multi-task and support the wider business wherever necessary; and
• Be sensitive to handling confidential information.

Person Specification

• Ambitious with the desire to lead and grow a team and client book;
• Entrepreneurial and proactive approach;
• Personable and enjoys working in an energetic team;
• Ability to work independently and in a team;
• Personable;
• Flexible and agile with the ability to take on new tasks or help out in other areas of the business;
• Outgoing with the confidence to lead events such as chairing Cicero events or take the lead on pitches.

Cicero/amo is looking to recruit an Account Manager with pan-European corporate Communications experience to support our rapidly expanding client base across sectors such as Tech, Energy and Financial Services. The role spans across our Corporate Communications and EU Public Affairs teams.

In this role, the successful candidate will work as a key member of our client account teams. The role will involve EU media relations, client account management, new business activities, strategic advice, content creation and copywriting. The successful candidate will deliver excellent insight and assist in providing strategic corporate communications direction to our clients.

Skills required

The ideal candidate will have:

• At least 3 years’ EU Corporate Communications experience; in an agency/consultancy or busy in-house team.
• Experience and interest in EU corporate communications strategies and media relations.
• Entrepreneurial spirit and the desire to help grow the business.
• Strong account and client management skills.
• Good European journalist and media connections.
• Exceptional writing and verbal communication skills (Business English is the language of the office).
• A willingness to multi-task and support the wider business wherever necessary.
• Be sensitive to handling confidential information.
• Subscribe to our cultural values; courage, innovation, collaboration, expertise, respect, and openness.
• French or German language skills would be preferable.

Equal opportunities

At Cicero/amo, we pride ourselves on being committed to offering equal opportunities to all potential employees and have zero tolerance for discrimination. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants irrespective of age, sex, race, ethnicity, disability, and other factors that have no bearing on an individual’s ability to perform their job.

We are open to discussing flexible working opportunities.

Cicero/amo’s award-winning PR team is looking to recruit a Senior Account Executive to support its rapidly expanding client base.

Whilst the role is rooted in the corporate team with a client base in corporate affairs and consumer finance, you will at times have exposure to the full-suite of clients including those in fintech and consumer.

Responsibilities:

You will be responsible for delivering a wide range of client focused work; from selling in stories to journalists, drafting press releases, brainstorming ideas and planning campaigns to helping clients organise events. You will be a can-do person working closely with an account director and an account manager and be thinking constantly how best to promote our clients; actively seeking-out opportunities to engage the media and win positive coverage.

Skills required

The ideal candidate will have:

• Two years previous agency or in-house experience;
• Exceptional writing abilities and superb attention to detail;
• Established relationships with journalists from top tier publications;
• Experience in corporate PR (consumer finance ideal but not essential);
• Creative and strategic approach to thinking about campaign ideas;
• Strong account and client management and relationship building skills;
• Experience and a desire to manage junior members of a team;
• An ability to learn about a broad range of topics quickly;
• An interest in new business and commercial awareness;
• Proactive and entrepreneurial mind-set;
• A willingness to multi-task and support the wider business wherever necessary.

Why join Cicero/amo?

At Cicero/amo, there are no limits to opportunity. Our people, opportunities to learn and grow and access to senior management were recently cited as the top three things about working at Cicero/amo. When asked what we all have in common, our employees quoted: ambition and drive, an entrepreneurial spirit, and curiosity in current affairs. We also have a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone is encouraged to come to work as themselves and a great set of employee wellbeing benefits.

Cicero/amo’s Corporate Communications team is looking to recruit an Account Executive to support its rapidly expanding client base, mainly in the financial services sector. The role will involve day to day account execution and administration.

Skills required

• The ideal candidate will have:
• 1 year+ experience in corporate PR;
• Exceptional organisational skills;
• Exceptional writing ability;
• Creative and entrepreneurial mind set;
• Proactive with an ability to learn about a broad range of topics quickly;
• A willingness to multi-task and support the wider business wherever necessary;
• Be sensitive to handling confidential information;
• Commercial driven mind-set and a good understanding of the client/agency relationship;
• Ability to demonstrate a keen interest in the financial services industry.

Why join Cicero/amo?

Cicero/amo has a rapidly growing Corporate Communications team. The selected candidate will be working closely with the whole team, including members senior council, and will manage client accounts on a day-to-day basis. At Cicero/amo there are no limits to opportunity. You will learn and contribute to all aspects of the business and be expected to contribute across every area.

Cicero/amo is looking for an entry level graduate as an Account Executive to join our fast-growing UK Public Affairs team. We are looking for an excellent communicator. Additional experience of Westminster would be desirable.

The purpose of the role is to work as a key member of our client account team, assisting with client management, account delivery, research and monitoring the busy UK Public Affairs landscape to deliver excellent insight and strategic direction to our clients.

In this role you will develop account management and consultancy skills to maintain positive client relationships, identify issues which impact client activity, and contribute to profitable accounts.

Key responsibilities

• Coordinating and managing client deliverables daily.
• Monitoring the political environment and media; including newspapers, magazines, journals, broadcasts, newswires and blogs, for relevant clients.

• Organising meetings and client calls; writing and circulating meeting agendas and taking notes and action points in client calls and meetings.
• Preparing ad-hoc client research briefings.
• Compiling stakeholder lists.
• Drafting letters to stakeholders
• Taking a proactive approach to networking to build new client connections.
• Attending industry events, networking and spotting new business possibilities.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Client focus with knowledge of the agency and client business model.
• Highly competent in all written communications.
• Highly competent in communication skills.
• Demonstrate ability to research and analyse.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.
• Organisation and prioritisation.
• Interest in working in a commercially driven consultancy environment.

Applications for this position close on 30 June.

Cicero/amo is an inclusive workplace and employer. We are happy to discuss flexible working and provide details of any of our policies and practices.

Cicero/amo is looking for a dynamic Senior Account Executive to join its fast-growing EU Public Affairs team, based in either our London or Brussels offices (with travel expected from time to time).

In this role, the successful candidate will work as a key member of our client account team, assisting with client management, account deliverables such as stakeholder mapping, drafting client briefing materials and organising meetings and events, policy research, and monitoring the busy EU Public Affairs landscape.

The successful candidate will deliver excellent insight and assist in providing strategic direction to our clients in a variety of sectors.

Cicero/amo is an integrated communications agency based in London, Brussels and Dublin and is part of one of the world’s largest communications groups, Havas.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinating and managing daily client deliverables.
• Organising meetings and client calls; writing and circulating meeting agendas and taking notes and action points in client calls and meetings.
• Being an active client facing team member on public affairs campaigns (legislative and non-legislative).
• Developing detailed knowledge of a number of policy and legislative issues around policy areas such as financial services, the digital economy and energy/extractives.
• Monitoring, tracking and analysis of the EU legislative agenda.
• Helping the team to develop Cicero/AMO’s external presence including drafting briefings for public distribution, generating marketing content and supporting the development of our social media profile.
• Keeping up to date with political and current affairs and flagging important developments to the team and clients.
• Supporting the team in new business activity.

The ideal candidate will have:

• A strong interest in EU public affairs, policy and current affairs.
• Two-three years’ experience in a consultancy, European institution, trade association or equivalent organisation as an Account Executive/ Consultant or equivalent.
• Knowledge and experience of the EU legislative landscape and policy is essential –financial services and digital single market would be advantageous.
• Experience in Brussels context.
• A “get up and go” attitude, ready to assist in a wide range of tasks, build networks and lead on specific projects, tasks or policy areas.
• Ability and desire to continuously learn new areas of policy.
• Excellent written and communication skills.
• Excellent research skills.
• Planning and organisation skills.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.
• The working language of the office is English and an additional language would be an asset.
• Cultural values; courage, innovation, collaboration, expertise, respect, and openness.

Equal opportunities

At Cicero/amo, we pride ourselves on being committed to offering equal opportunities to all potential employees and have zero tolerance for discrimination. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants irrespective of age, sex, race, ethnicity, disability, and other factors that have no bearing on an individual’s ability to perform their job.

We are open to discussing flexible working opportunities.

Applications for this position close on 30 June.

Due to high volume of applications, only eligible or matching candidates will be contacted by us.

Cicero/amo is looking for a Research Manager to join our rapidly growing Research team.

In this role, the successful candidate will support the delivery of primary quantitative and qualitative research. The role involves working with Cicero/amo colleagues, clients and suppliers to build, effectively deliver and execute projects. The work we do is engaging, fast-paced and offers exposure to a variety of businesses and sectors.

Cicero/amo is an integrated communications and market research agency based in London, Brussels and Dublin and is part of one of the world’s largest communications groups, Havas.

Key responsibilities:

• Working within a strong, results orientated team to support key client accounts across financial services, health and energy sectors
• Planning and implementing of research projects with some support from the project team
• Day to day project management, e.g., planning, timeline management, executing, problem solving and delivery with some supervision and guidance
• Designing research materials (questionnaires, guides, timings, DP specs, ad-hoc research inputs etc.)
• Collaborating with Cicero/amo third-party fieldwork suppliers
• Sourcing project costings and feasibility
• Preparing presentations / data analysis to a high standard
• Proactively recommending changes and solutions to seniors for task-based challenges
• Coordinating several projects simultaneously

Personal skills required:

• Meticulous attention to detail
• Highly organised and dedicated
• Willing to go the extra mile when needed
• Confident, assertive and diplomatic
• Can work under pressure / time constraints

Knowledge and technical skills required:

• A minimum of 3 years experience in a market research agency
• Experience in quantitative research
• Sound understanding of the market research cycle – from questionnaire design to sampling, fieldwork, data specification and methodologies
• Solid data and analytical skills – data input, manipulation and interpretation are essential
• Excellent computer skills – Excel and PowerPoint
• Extensive experience with SPSS data / cross-tabulation software / analytics tool e.g., Q or Tableau
• Experience combining multiple data sources desirable, e.g., primary survey data and secondary data sources
• Excellent organisational skills
• Able to manage multiple projects while maintaining full ownership of time management and project coordination
• Experience with longitudinal tracking studies preferred
• MRS advanced certificate is a bonus though not required

Why Cicero/amo?

At Cicero/amo we are famous for designing and delivering impactful, market leading, award-winning communications campaigns across all major business sectors. The successful candidate will have an immediate role in delivering these campaigns by working closely with the whole team and instantly have wide responsibilities for delivering across the life of projects. At Cicero/amo there are absolutely no limits to opportunity, and we will actively support your development to get to precisely where you want to go as you progress through your career.

Equal opportunities

At Cicero/amo, we pride ourselves on being committed to offering equal opportunities to all potential employees and have zero tolerance for discrimination. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants irrespective of age, sex, race, ethnicity, disability, and other factors that have no bearing on an individual’s ability to perform their job.

Applications for this position close on 30 June.

Due to high volume of applications, only eligible or matching candidates will be contacted by us.

The research team at Cicero/amo is recruiting a Research Executive to join a growing team focused on delivering high quality, actionable insights and thought leadership campaigns to our clients.  Cicero/amo is a full-service communications and market research agency. We design and deliver award-winning corporate, brand, political and regulatory campaigns across all major business sectors. Cicero/amo part of one of the world’s largest communications groups, Havas.

The role

As a Research Executive you will support the delivery of primary quantitative and qualitative research and secondary research to support clients in their marketing and communications objectives. The role involves working with closely with clients, Cicero/amo colleagues and suppliers to build relationships and deliver projects. As an agency, the work we do is engaging, fast-paced and offers exposure to a variety of businesses and sectors. We are looking for someone with a market research background (though likely still relatively new to the industry) who would like to specialise in financial and professional services. The right candidate for the job will need to be confident, personable and have a natural interest in government, politics, and the world around them.

Key responsibilities

• Supporting questionnaire and discussion guide development
• Coordinating fieldwork management and data collection with external suppliers
• Supporting qualitative interviews across a range of audiences from consumers to SME business leaders, senior politicians, civil servants, journalists, C-suite business leaders and opinion formers
• The development of client deliverables, specifically: presentation decks, written reports, articles, and op-eds
• Engagement and communication with clients

Skills required:

• Fully competent with the MS office suite – Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• The ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple workstreams at any given time
• Keen to work in client service and desire to exceed client expectations
• Excellent attention to detail
• A willingness to support the wider business wherever necessary
• The ability to interpret and visualise data
• Strong numeracy skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

The ideal candidate will have:

• Research or market research experience (this could in an academic setting at university or employment setting through an internship, placement year or graduate scheme). Experience in a research agency is a bonus though not required.
• Experience in both primary qualitative research (e.g., carrying out research interviews over the telephone and face-to-face) and quantitative research (e.g., online or telephone surveys with a statistically significant sample size)
• An interest in current affairs, politics, and the economy
• Experience of the financial services sector is preferable but not required
• A desire to become a consultant that ultimately advises clients on their communications strategy
• MRS certificate is a bonus though not required

Why Cicero/amo?

At Cicero/amo we are famous for delivering impactful, market leading, award-winning communications campaigns. The successful candidate will have an immediate role in delivering these campaigns by working closely the whole team and instantly have wide responsibilities for delivering across the life of projects.  At Cicero/amo there are absolutely no limits to opportunity, and we will actively support your development to get to precisely where you want to go as you progress through your career.

We also have a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone is encouraged to come to work as themselves, and a great set of employee wellbeing benefits.

Applications for this position close on 30 June.

Please note that only those selected for interviews will be contacted.