Account/Senior Account Executive

The opportunity you've been waiting for

Orbit Communications is a Scottish public affairs, PR and stakeholder engagement consultancy. As Senior Account Executive, you'll focus on community and stakeholder engagement, much of it for planning applications across Scotland.

That means public consultation events, community council meetings and conversations with residents. You'll also support clients across a range of other sectors with media relations and public affairs. The work is high profile, it spans the whole of Scotland, and there are clear routes to grow and progress.

How you'll make your mark

You'll report to, and support, Orbit's Account Manager and Account Director. At this level, you'll also run day-to-day delivery of smaller accounts and consultation programmes, and help guide junior colleagues.

Stakeholder and community engagement

• Help plan and deliver engagement programmes for planning applications and development projects across Scotland.
• Organise, staff and report on public consultation events, including statutory pre-application consultation (PAC), in person and online.
• Map stakeholders, from community councils and elected members to local groups and residents.
• Draft consultation materials, including exhibition boards, leaflets, newsletters, feedback forms, web content and letters.
• Run consultation websites, mailboxes and phone lines, and respond to public enquiries for clients.
• Analyse and summarise consultation feedback, and help draft PAC and engagement reports.
• Arrange and attend meetings with community councils, community groups and other stakeholders.

Media relations and public affairs

• Carry out media and political monitoring, and issue regular bulletins to clients.
• Draft news releases, comment articles, briefings, policy submissions and consultation responses.
• Build relationships with journalists and handle media enquiries for clients.
• Plan and deliver contact programmes with MSPs, MPs, councillors and officials.
• Plan and deliver client social media activity, with basic design tasks as needed.

Client and agency support

• Keep clients close through regular contact and updates.
• Research clients' sectors, issues and stakeholders to support their communications objectives.
• Maintain contact databases, activity schedules, briefings and other core materials.
• Manage suppliers and their budgets, including venues, printing, design and leaflet distribution.
• Support Orbit's own marketing, social media, award entries and new business tenders.

What you bring

• At least two years' relevant experience, ideally in an agency, including direct involvement in community consultation or stakeholder engagement.
• A degree or equivalent.
• Good knowledge of the Scottish and UK political and media landscapes, including local government.
• An interest in planning, development and place, and an understanding of how communities engage with planning decisions. Knowledge of the Scottish planning system is an advantage.
• Writing that explains complex proposals in plain, accessible language.
• A confident, friendly and calm manner with the public, including at events where views are strongly held.
• The ability to get to grips with new, often complex, issues quickly and help a small team set out what they mean for clients.
• Strong relationships with clients and external stakeholders alike.
• The organisation to manage several projects and deadlines at once.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office. Experience of social media, consultation platforms or basic design software is an advantage.
• A full UK driving licence is preferred, as many events take place outside Edinburgh.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends, and to travel across Scotland for events.
• Two satisfactory work references, including your current or most recent employer where applicable.

What's in it for you

• Salary dependent on experience, plus benefits.
• A full-time, permanent role based at Orbit's offices in central Edinburgh.
• Hands-on experience of high-profile planning, development and public affairs work across Scotland.
• Clients across a broad range of sectors.
• Clear opportunities for training, growth and progression.
• A stimulating, supportive and friendly team.

A bit more about Orbit Communications

Orbit Communications is a Scottish public affairs, PR and stakeholder engagement consultancy based in central Edinburgh.

Much of its work supports planning applications across Scotland, including statutory pre-application consultation and public events for developers. It also provides media relations and public affairs support to clients in a range of other sectors.

Denholm's take

This role sits where planning, politics and people meet. One day you'll be drafting a consultation response. The next, you'll be in a community hall explaining a proposal to a room with strong views.

If you write clearly, stay calm in front of a crowd and want to build your career in public affairs and engagement, we'd welcome a confidential conversation.