Account Director / Director, Beauty Communications (Maternity Cover)

Karla Otto is a globally recognized public relations and communications agency, founded in 1982, with offices in 15 key cities across the UK, EMEA, US, and Asia. With a strong presence in fashion capitals such as Milan, London, Paris, and New York, the agency has built a reputation for representing some of the most prestigious names in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle.

In 2017, Karla Otto merged with K2 to form THE INDEPENDENTS—a global marketing, design, and communications group. This collective brings together industry leaders who share a commitment to innovation, excellence, and thoughtful collaboration across the luxury and lifestyle sectors.

At Karla Otto, our team of expert strategists, designers, planners and publicists are dedicated to delivering exceptional results and establishing long-term partnerships with our clients. We are passionate about the world of fashion, beauty, and luxury, with everyone bringing their unique expertise and insights to the table. We are driven by a shared commitment to excellence and a deep understanding of the ever-evolving industry landscape.

The Account Director/Director, Beauty Communications (Maternity Cover) for Karla Otto London will craft and successfully deliver truly innovative and best-in-class client media & communication strategies, programs and initiatives that support our clients’ overall business objectives.

Additionally, as a senior lead for Karla Otto London and the Global Beauty & Wellness Division, they will proactively contribute to winning new business for this vertical in the UK market.

The successful candidate will be passionate about / possess strong knowledge of current global trends not just in beauty (skincare, make-up, fragrance, haircare, wellness and beauty tech), PR and influencer marketing, but will also have a keen interest in the wider cultural and luxury landscape. Extremely well connected, they will have strong senior level relationships with beauty & wellness media across consumer, trade, print, and digital, (they’ll be on speed dial), plus influencers, industry experts (make-up artists, hair stylists, aestheticians), and brands.

Experience and confidence in liaising and building trust with brand founders and executives / senior management (both internally and externally) are also critical success factors in this role.

A true team player and committed mentor, this individual will be collaborative and never short of creative and innovative PR and communications ideas. Exceptional copywriting, subediting skills and visual deck skills are paramount, as are excellent organisational and diplomacy skills, team management and meticulous attention to detail.

Please note this is a 12 month fixed term contract for Maternity Cover

RESPONSIBILITIES, TASKS, SKILLS

Key areas of responsibility include, but aren’t limited to:

Internal Focus

• Working closely with the Senior Director, Global Beauty to further develop the Beauty & Wellness department at Karla Otto London – a focus on new business acquisition, with a large emphasis on collaborating with senior stakeholders to develop pitch decks and crafting communications scopes of work etc.
• Managing and mentoring a high performing London Beauty Communications Team
• Work to continually enhance the external profile and reputation of the Beauty & Wellness division at Karla Otto London

Client Focus

• Support team to ideate and develop truly innovative communications strategies that execute a brand’s vision
• Work closely with clients to develop compelling PR programs that drive brand awareness and purchase behaviour
• Maintain ongoing, senior-level contact with key beauty directors, editor in chiefs and editors at major long and short-lead publications, and websites
• Remain ahead of all news at the intersection of beauty and wellness, digital and culture in order to advise clients on new opportunities and emerging PR strategies, as well as competitors and opportunities relevant to the beauty & wellness space
• Impressively lead pitches, answering client RFPs and winning exciting new business for the agency
• Proactive new business outreach
• Brilliant articulation of concepts in written and verbal form—delivering error-free copy with creative flair within tight deadlines
• Support the team in developing pitch calendars that both align with their editorial focus and support client brand strategy
• Pitch and secure high level, in-depth feature placements and story ideas to senior editors
• Oversee and manage general team workflow across all clients
• Support the team in editing PR materials and secure client sign-off as appropriate
• Support the team on gathering data insights from campaigns and reporting on effectiveness
• Strong attention to detail and numerical proficiency i.e. overseeing administrative tasks, client invoicing, collaborating with the Karla Otto finance and legal teams
• Develop creative and strategic paid advertorial concepts and lead on brokering these deals on behalf of your clients
• Ideate and produce, when required, small scale client events to a high level, strategically advising on best practice, timings, location etc. to create a successful press activation
• Liaise with KO talent team to ensure organic and paid campaigns on relevant clients are executed to deadline

KEY ATTRIBUTES

• At least 8-10 years’ experience (dependent on job title) working in beauty editorial and/ or beauty PR communications
• Past agency or freelance experience essential
• Undergraduate degree (or above) in communications, arts or media
• Strong relationships with senior UK beauty & wellness media across print, and digital, plus industry experts (make-up artists, hair stylists, aestheticians), influencers and brands
• Excellent knowledge of the beauty & wellness industry as a whole – key ingredients, the science, micro trends, history, culture, NPD etc.
• Luxury sensibility
• Excellent copywriting, subediting, visual and written communication skills
• A strategic, creative and innovative thinker with an open attitude and innate sense of curiosity
• High level execution skills and meticulous attention to detail, both aesthetically and organisationally
• Experience and passion in managing and mentoring a team
• Confident to secure impactful, high level editorial placements
• Deep understanding of the beauty & wellness landscape across both traditional media and social media (namely Instagram and Tiktok)
• Visionary and opportunistic approach to new business development
• A positive, can-do attitude who can work under pressure and likes to solve problems - a real team player who will excel in a dynamic and fast-paced environment
• Confident to present pitches and strategies to founders or at senior board level
• Ability to juggle multiple projects and work to stringent deadlines
• Excellent diplomacy and negotiation skills
• Proficiency in Keynote, PowerPoint, Word and Google Docs (FashionGPS and Lefty an advantage also)
• Must be eligible to work in the UK

At Karla Otto, we are always looking for personalities with positive charisma who are enthusiastic, self-motivated, and have a keen sense of aesthetics.

Karla Otto embraces and celebrates diversity, inclusivity, and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Karla Otto provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join our team!