Do great work without the bullshit.
We’ve always been an agency that’s punched above its weight. With a background working for international B2B brands and large agencies, for twenty years we’ve been applying the same high standards to everything we do. We just happen to be based in Stoke on Trent.
That’s a real advantage for our team – it means they’re able to work with the same quality of clients and campaigns they might if they were in London or any other big city, but still strike a good work life balance.
So younger team members benefit from the opportunity to learn from experienced pros who’ve been there and won the weird award trophies.
And the experienced pros can maintain the same award- winning standards they’ve achieved elsewhere. Without the torturous hours spent in traffic or the privilege of monthly parking permits that cost as much as your car.
If that makes sense to you, let’s talk about opportunities to work together.
Read on to find out more about how we work. If you’ve landed here to see our current vacancies, carry on scrolling to the end or click here.
Culture eats oatcakes for breakfast
Or it would do if it worked here. A strong, positive culture underpins everything we do – airing opinions is encouraged regardless of your role, people are given the freedom to do their best work and support for training is open to all. Ultimately, if you’re enjoying your work then everyone’s a winner.
That’s complemented with regular social events factored into the working day, supporting our annual chosen charity and the occasional knees-up to mark big milestones or achievements.
We know a lot of agencies crow about their culture, but we’re one of only a few to have been awarded as one of Campaign’s Best Places to Work.
See what the team thinks
Feel free to get in touch with the team and have a chat about their experience of working at Lesniak Swann. Here’s a few of the team across our various disciplines.
Maggie Morrissey
PR Account Director
Dec 2020 – Present
A lot of agencies pay lip service to company culture, and after being burnt with a previous agency I was sceptical about LS because the culture claims sounded so similar. But I’m so glad I made the move – LS is one of the most supportive and nurturing places I’ve worked where everyone has a voice, and we have a lot of fun too!
Matt Hicks
Strategy Director
March 2020 – Present
From my various roles in-house I know how frustrating it can be if agencies aren’t offering you that value beyond the work itself. It’s great to work at an agency where offering a constructive challenge to clients is actively encouraged and rewarded.
Chelsea Haddon
Senior Account Manager
August 2013 – Present
After starting with Lesniak Swann as an Apprentice nearly ten years ago, I’ve been able to develop my skills and really progress, firstly to Account Executive, then Account Manager and now Senior Account Manager. With the agency’s support I completed my City & Guilds, CIM Diploma, and Ritson’s mini MBA in Marketing amongst other training courses. I work across some of our major accounts such as Polypipe and Michelin, and enjoy the diversity of projects we work on.
Julian Watson
Senior Creative
July 2011 – Present
I’ve been with Lesniak Swann for nearly eleven years so something must be good about it! We get to flex our creative muscles on some big names. As the digital side of the industry is constantly changing, training to stay relevant is essential and support is always available. I have spent the last 3 years as a member of the Interaction Design Foundation gaining all kinds of UX and UI certifications along with training for motion graphics. Location is great for me as it’s a 30min bike ride in along the canal.
Flexible and Remote Working
We like to employ independent people with get-up-and-go, and this is reflected in the options we offer both for flexible working (when you work) and remote working (where you work).
Flexibility – choice on when in the day you complete your work
We’ve always had a flexible working policy – yes, even in the heady days before Covid. This means that people are able to come and go at different times outside of core hours of 10am – 4pm, provided they’re available when clients need a meeting or phone call.
Remote – choice on where you work
We believe that it’s important that people spend time together in the office, and for this reason everyone comes in each Monday and the last Friday of the month. Other than that we currently ask that people spend around 50% of their time in the office.
Skill behaviour
The driving force behind our success to date is hiring smart, independent minded people with the gumption to get stuff done.
That means we’re pretty picky as to the behaviours applicants need to show to get through the door. We look for a fit across four key areas:
• Is there a better way?
• Knowledge is power
• Show me the money
• Be the giant
A strong development culture
We’ve sought to create a strong development culture because learning is a virtuous circle – the more smart, skilled people we have the happier they’ll be and higher the quality of work we all produce.
This is particularly important given the highly technical subject matter we deal with from day to day, which also means that our people tend to be naturally fascinated by how the world works in all its detail and weirdness.
As a result the development culture at Lesniak Swann is geared towards feeding inquisitive minds, as well as career ambitions sated.
Tailored development plans
The centrepoint to this is tailored development plans for each and every member of the team. These identify where progress can be made, what needs to be done and how the business will help you to get there. So whether you’re a junior PR recruit, a mid-weight designer or running client services you will have your next step in mind and understand the support you’ll receive to achieve it.
Tailored development plans
But our development culture is also much broader than this. Alongside helping to fund the likes of CIM and CIPR qualifications we also have a busy programme of more informal learning which includes work showcases to exchange new ideas and best practice, expert speakers and our regular book club. Recent titles have included Ogilvy on Advertising, Rory Sutherland’s Alchemy, A Beautiful Constraint and the latest; How Brands Grow by Byron Sharp.
Book clubs on works from the latest trailblazers.
Our thought leadership events and workshops are always in demand.
Insight event with Anthony Tasgal
Creative's latest read in their book club
Project Management workshop with Vistage speaker, Malcolm Smith
Quenching our thirst for knowledge at every opportunity
Power of PR workshop
Reading Oglivy on Advertising - in the garden
Rewards season
We offer a package of rewards alongside the benefits covered above.
5% employer contribution to your pension scheme.
Additional time for Christmas closing – usually at least an extra 3 days.
Flexible working policy on your start and finish time, plus we currently offer remote working for 50% of your time.
Time to attend children’s school events or other family occasions.
Bonus scheme based on personal and agency performance.
Charity work time matched by the firm meaning that if you give up your own time to raise money for our annual chosen charity we’ll give you the time back.
25 days holiday plus bank holidays (usually 33 days a year in total).
Current vacancies
Account Executive
Do you feel like a change? Just bored in your current marketing or agency role? Or just starting out on your career in marketing? We have an exciting opportunity for an Account Executive to join our growing team.
To find out more, download the job spec and details of how to apply here
PR Account Manager
Do you have an impressive track record in PR? Fancy testing your mettle on campaigns for big name B2B brands? As a PR AM you’ll be leading the day-to-day activity for a range of clients, across a modern mix of tactics and channels.
To find out more, download the job spec and details of how to apply here
Current vacancies
Marketing Manager
Do you get a buzz from linking marketing to business growth? This is a rare opportunity for a highly motivated marketing specialist to join us and help drive the growth of the business. We have ambitious goals for the coming years, and this role will be pivotal in helping us to achieve them.
To find out more, download the job spec and details of how to apply here
Finance Manager
Are you a qualified Accountant? Looking for a part-time position?
We’re looking for someone who can take overall responsibility for the financial systems and processes within Lesniak Swann – maintaining financial ledgers, monitoring credit control, sorting VAT returns, and the like.
To find out more, download the job spec and details of how to apply here
No suitable vacancies?
There aren’t always positions available, but we do keep a black book for future opportunities. So if you think you might be a good fit for our team, send your CV and a covering note to: alexs@lesniakswann.com
