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 for a dynamic EU Crypto Lead to join our EU Public Affairs team, based in either London or Brussels.

The successful candidate will be responsible for leading and continuing to build client accounts in the crypto/blockchain sector. The role will be in a fast-moving entrepreneurial environment, helping our clients stay on top of the busy EU legislative and policy landscape.

We are open to discussing flexible working opportunities on full-time or part-time basis. The team location and client delivery is in Brussels, however we will consider candidates based in London.

Cicero/amo is an integrated communications agency based in London, Brussels and Dublin and is part of one of Havas Group, one of the world’s largest communications groups. Cicero/amo provides EU Public Affairs capabilities to a breadth of clients across a wide range of sectors such as Financial Services, Digital and Technology, Sustainability, Energy and Environmental issues in addition to Competition and Trade.

Key responsibilities:

• Key support to Managing Director of the EU Public Affairs team, taking the lead role for the crypto/blockchain sector.
• Taking an active role in developing and winning new business opportunities; for example, playing a key role in pitches, request for pitch documents, identifying and converting prospective new business targets and marketing activity.
• Providing senior strategic counsel to clients, taking full responsibility for managing your account handling and account delivery.
• Developing and managing strategic and creative public affairs campaigns (legislative and non-legislative).
• Developing junior members of team (Account Executive and Senior Account Executive line management).
• Helping to develop Cicero/amo’s external presence and marketing; particularly in the Crypto, Financial Services, FinTech and Digital sectors.

The ideal candidate will have:

• 6+ years’ experience – including some consultancy experience, client and or team handling/management.
• Expert knowledge and experience of the EU legislative and policy landscape is essential.
• Extensive experience in assisting clients with crypto asset issues.
• Experience in crypto, financial and commodity markets, lead strategy, policy development.
• Commercially knowledgeable with proven new business involvement (for example pitch preparation and participation).
• Experience of developing and executing complex strategic EU public affairs campaigns.
• A “get up and go” and proactive attitude.
• Excellent written and communication skills.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.
• The working language of the office is English, an additional language would be an asset.
• Proven management skills with the desire to manage junior members of the team on best practice and mentorship.
• Excellent relationship building skills.
• A strategic and entrepreneurial mind-set.
• Cultural values; courage, innovation, collaboration, expertise 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.

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.

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

Cicero/amo is an integrated communications agency specialising in corporate PR, government relations, digital communications and market research aimed at business, consumer and policy audiences.

We are looking for an Associate to support our Public Policy Monitoring and Intelligence Service Cicero Pulse. The new staff member will be permanently based in London and the role will include opportunities to travel to Brussels.

Main tasks will include the provision of detailed monitoring of UK and EU parliamentary activities (e.g. committee hearings, public hearings), conferences and think tank to our clients across various sectors.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Working experience in the UK or European Parliament / MPs office / MEPs office / government department / European Commission DG or similar is essential;
• Understanding of both the UK and EU political landscape required;
• Background in financial services advantageous;
• Keen interest in political affairs;
• Excellent English writing and editing skills;
• Attention to detail and accuracy;
• Exceptional time management and the ability to work under pressure;
• Foreign language skills are advantageous, but not essential.

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 and the role will be hybrid in nature. More details will be provided in the interview.

Closing Date: 29 April 2022

Interview/Start Dates

Please note that only those selected for interviews will be contacted and the interview process might start before the closing date. The starting date is as soon as possible.

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.

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.

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

Cicero/amo are looking for a dynamic Account Manager to join our EU Public Affairs team.

The person will be responsible for overseeing and leading client accounts, specifically in the Financial Services/Tech sector, and managing account handling teams.

The role will be in a fast-moving entrepreneurial environment, helping our clients stay on top of the busy EU legislative landscape.

Key responsibilities:

• Key support to Managing Director of the EU Public Affairs team, taking the lead role on Financial Services accounts.
• Taking an active role in developing and winning new business opportunities; for example, playing a key role in pitches, request for pitch documents, identifying and converting prospective new business targets and marketing activity.
• Providing senior strategic counsel to clients, taking full responsibility for managing your account handling and account delivery.
• Developing and managing strategic and creative public affairs campaigns (legislative and non-legislative).
• Developing junior members of team (Account Executive and Senior Account Executive line management).
• Helping to develop Cicero/amo’s external presence and marketing; particularly in the Financial Services sector.

 The ideal candidate will have:

• 5+ years experience in an EU Public Affairs consultancy, European institution, trade association or equivalent organisation is required.
• Expert knowledge and experience of the EU legislative and policy landscape is essential.
• Knowledge and experience in the Financial Services and/or Tech sector is essential.
• Commercially knowledgeable with proven new business involvement (for example pitch preparation and participation).
• Experience of developing and executing complex strategic EU public affairs campaigns.
• A “get up and go” and proactive attitude.
• Excellent written and communication skills.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.
• The working language of the office is English, an additional language would be an asset.
• Proven management skills with the desire to manage junior members of the team on best practice and mentorship.
• Excellent relationship building skills.
• A strategic and entrepreneurial mind-set.
• Cultural values; courage, innovation, collaboration, expertise 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.