Octopus Group is an award-winning B2B marketing agency based on Chancery Lane, London. B2B a is our big passion. We take a different approach to B2B marketing, built on the understanding that brands thrive when awareness and sales work together. Our guiding Brand to Sales™ philosophy, helps our clients link brand reputation to commercial sales success, all delivered under one roof. 

In February 2021, Octopus joined Publicis Groupe UK to become its B2B centre of excellence from the UK, bringing our strategic, creative and commercial acumen to the Publicis Groupe client roster.  We are now part of a diverse, creative community of 5,000 UK colleagues working across 25 agencies. Publicis Groupe believes in ‘Viva la Difference’ which translates to celebrating the uniqueness of its agencies, while working together to get the best results for clients.

Recently awarded Campaign Best Place to Work status for the second year running, we have a unique family feel where energy, enthusiasm, teamwork and a hunger to succeed are all mixed with a common purpose. Octopus Group is a truly special place to work and we spend lots of time and effort to keep it that way.

We have an exciting Assistant Account Executive apprenticeship opportunity to join our team – working with fast growth clients across B2B brands.

As well as working in part of an established, multi-skilled team, the role will also involve:

• Delivering creative PR and social media campaigns for a portfolio of technology clients
• Working across copywriting tasks such as short form to be used across social media, and in time bigger scale press releases
• Lots of desk research keeping up to date with the latest news and advances in the tech space and how it impacts our work and our clients
• Assisting the team with tasks relating to pitch work
• Building up your knowledge of PR, and the exciting work that we do across Octopus Group

If you’re an aspiring communications professional with enthusiasm for business technology and a keenness to learn new skills and disciplines, this is the role for you.

Apprenticeship eligibility criteria:

• In order to be eligible for this apprenticeship role, you must meet the below criteria:
• Maths & English grade C or above.
• Must have been within the UK for the last 3 years.
• Must not hold a relevant degree within PR and Comms
• Must have less than 2 years’ experience within PR and comms

What You’ll Do

• Being a driving force on account teams to: deliver new ideas, uncover opportunities, engage with media, analysts and influencers, develop and draft content, keep projects and timelines on track and drive towards client objectives
• Managing multiple projects with account leads from conception to completion, anticipating challenges and meeting deadlines
• Proactively developing and managing client correspondence (i.e. daily pitch updates, activity reports, etc.); communicating status of programmes to internal client leads
• Building a deep understanding of industry trends, competitive landscape and how they impact clients
• Overseeing research, preparation and maintenance of accurate media/analyst lists; manage comprehensive coverage monitoring; prepare accurate and timely client reports and provide thoughtful analysis and feedback on results
• Developing and building national and local media/analyst contacts and keep abreast of developments in enterprise, enthusiast, and consumer tech, including reporter moves, outlet changes, etc.
• Working across PR, social media and content marketing disciplines to deliver on client objectives, continually learning new skills and deploying them to improve client results.
• Consistently producing high quality communications content, and contributing to creation of communications plans that meet client objectives
• Maintaining clear and consistent communications between clients and account team

Apprenticeship eligibility criteria:

• In order to be eligible for this apprenticeship role, you must meet the below criteria:
  • Maths & English grade C or above.
  • Must have been within the UK for the last 3 years.
  • Must not hold a relevant degree within PR and Comms
  • Must have less than 2 years’ experience within PR and comms

You'll be able to demonstrate the following skills and attributes:

• Strong writing capabilities with excellent attention to detail including experience writing blogs
• A self-motivated individual with a passion and understanding of PR or marketing and social media
• Great at building relationships with clients and internal colleagues at all levels
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills
• An ability to prioritise workload in a fast-paced, pressurised environment
• A keen demonstratable interest in the news, media and trending topics
• Proactive, personable and self-motivate

• Salary sacrifice pension
• Flexible working
• 25 days holiday + your birthday off + Christmas shutdown from Christmas Eve to New Year
• 12 learning days including one volunteer day
• Private medical insurance
• Life assurance 3x salary
• Enhanced maternity/paternity & adoption pay
• Long-service sabbaticals
• Overseas working programme
• Health cash plan - eyecare, dental, prescriptions
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Access to over 65,000 LinkedIn courses
• Career Development Pathway
• Our commitment to DE&I sees us offer specific learning opportunities, targeted mentoring programmes and the opportunity to participate in a number of active employee-led networks and associated events
• Social activities, e.g., running, theatre club, yoga
• Subsidised canteen
• Free fruit, breakfast, snacks, weekly lunch, and drinks
• Employee referral bonus

Everyone should feel at home, at work. At Octopus Group, all employees can be true to their authentic selves. Everyone is empowered to bring what makes us special and unique to the work we do. We are committed to investing in an inclusive culture that maximises the talent, skills, and diversity of our workforce. We strive to ensure that inclusivity and equality are not only at the heart of our company, but also aligned with all the clients and suppliers we work with.