APCO’s UK Healthcare Team is looking for an intern as part of our Black Heritage Scheme, who is excited to join our growing healthcare team to work within clients in the pharmaceutical, biotech and life sciences sector.
The role
The successful candidate will be working with colleagues not only in the UK, but across borders with APCO colleagues across our 32 global offices. The team are delivering world class solutions to our clients across healthcare policy, advocacy, market access, public affairs and healthcare communications.
Responsibilities:
- Monitor issues, news events and competitor happenings
- Research topics and issues and analyze findings
- Identify and compile lists of media contacts
- Identify relevant stakeholders and potential influencers
- Assist with drafting and editing client deliverables
- Assist in the development of client proposals
- Develop monthly new business reports
- Contribute to brainstorms and communications plans
- Perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- A demonstrated interest in communications, Healthcare or public relations
- Comfort in a fast-paced environment collaborating with a distributed team
- Excellent written and oral communication and research skills
- Entrepreneurial with strong critical thinking abilities
- Organized and attentive to detail
- Able to multi-task and approach assignments independently
- Strong working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite
How do I apply?
As part of our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, we are introducing blind recruiting processes for all entry-level roles in Europe, meaning that all applications are anonymous at screening stage. While you will be asked to upload your CV/Resume to the job posting, we will be keeping these separate from our initial recruiting process and ask you to answer the below STAR-method style interview questions in writing to apply for the scheme. We will be reviewing, and shortlisting candidates based on these answers, and not on CVs. CVs will be viewed only at first stage interview.
We advise you to write your answers in Word initially and to cut and paste them into our application form (which you can find by clicking apply to this posting).
- What is your approach to working on several projects in parallel? How do you address competing priorities or deadlines? (250 words maximum)
- Describe a time you were given a project and the assignment was completely new to you and something that you had never done before. How did you tackle it? (250 words maximum)
- What has your biggest achievement been to date? What results that you produced are you most proud of? (achievements can cover projects you undertook during your education, your personal time or your career). (250 words maximum)
- You are working for Novo Nordisk on their Type 2 diabetes portfolio. What are the opportunities and risks of your client engaging with the Government on the issues raised in this speech? (250 words maximum)
About APCO’s Black Heritage Scheme
We fully recognise that our offices in Europe are not representative of the communities in which we operate. In the UK, our industry body, The Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA)’s most recent Census published in 2023 finds that in an industry of over 140 thousand professionals, 12% identify as non-white.
Our Black Heritage Scheme first launched in 2021, and we are delighted to offer an updated initiative for 2024/25. The scheme is designed to directly address the need for greater diversity in the PR and Communications industry and is primarily aimed at candidates who identify as having a Black Heritage background, as this group is notable underrepresented. We recognise Black Heritage as meaning those who may identify as Black, African, Caribbean, Black British or those from mixed multiple ethnic groups including White and Black Caribbean or White and Black African.
The Scheme is a six-month placement in our London office, commencing in November 2024. The Scheme is designed to offer exposure to the PR and Communications industry and will include robust opportunities for professional growth and will be supported by a learning & development curriculum, mentorship, and regular feedback & goal setting.
When is the closing date for applications?
The closing date for applications is Friday 15 th November 2024, after which time we can sadly accept no more applications.
When does the Scheme commence?
We would ideally like our new colleague to begin with us in December 2024 or January 2025, but are also flexible with this if you cannot begin then. Our is aim is to look at a start date that works for you.
What happens once I have applied?
We will review all applications once the closing date has arrived and will reach out to all candidates, whether successful or not. First stage interviews are likely to take place in the week commencing 25 th November 2024 and we will accommodate these over either in person or over Teams and will work around your availability as much as we can. There will also be an in person written test and chance to meet our team at our office on The Strand. We will confirm offers to the successful candidate at the beginning of ether the W/c 9 th or 16 th December 2024.
What is the salary and benefits?
As with all Intern roles in London, you will receive an annual salary of £25,000 (pro-rata for your six-month placement). In addition to this, we offer a range of benefits including 25 days holiday pro-rata (plus our office closes over Christmas and those days are in addition to your allowance), life assurance, company pension scheme and our Employee Assistance Programme.
We are recognised as one of the best agencies to work for in our industry, providing:
- The opportunity to work on a diverse range of clients and projects with some of the industry’s best and brightest.
- A collegial and collaborative working environment, where you will work closely with colleagues from around the world.
- Significant opportunities to develop professionally, with extensive training and personal development programmes.
- A competitive compensation and benefits package, including private medical insurance and mental health support.
- An enhanced Parental leave policy for all our employees from day one
- A paid opportunity each year to contribute to your community as part of our APCO Gives Back scheme.
- Industry-leading global exchange program
About APCO
Founded in 1984, APCO is an award-winning, independently owned global communication and business strategy firm with offices in major cities throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. APCO combines a global perspective with local expertise to help clients around the world manage challenges, opportunities, perceptions, and reputations. APCO clients include corporations and governments, industry associations and non-profit organizations. The firm is a majority women-owned business.
