When I tell people I’m part of the corporate communications team at the client side, but “seconded” from Weber Shandwick, I often get the same reaction. A pause, a raised eyebrow, sometimes even a confused smile. It’s a term many have heard but few truly understand.
So, let me explain. To be “seconded” means I’m officially employed by a PR agency, but I’m fully embedded within the client’s corporate communications team. I sit with the client, collaborate with them, attend their meetings, and support their goals every single day. I actually have two badges, one for the agency and one for the client.
At first, even I struggled to describe the setup. But over time, I’ve realized something powerful: this isn’t just a logistical arrangement. It’s a career-defining opportunity.
It’s the best of both worlds, and I mean that quite literally.
A Unique Learning Loop
Being seconded is like living in two parallel realities that constantly feed one another.
In my agency life, I’ve had the chance to learn from some of the sharpest minds in the communications industry in offices around the world. The agency environment pushes you to think creatively, act fast, and always bring value to the table. It’s where I learned about the art of storytelling, the discipline of strategic thinking, and the importance of client-centricity. I’m constantly given access to our industry’s most cutting-edge tools and technologies. I’m also supported by a close-knit team of PR professionals who share my secondee experience.
At the client side, I’ve learned what it means to be truly inside a business. I see the bigger picture — the organizational priorities, the leadership mindset, the internal challenges, and the stakeholder dynamics. I’m not just recommending strategies. I’m part of shaping and delivering them from within.
The learnings from one world sharpen my contribution to the other. And that’s the magic of being seconded.
The Human Side of It All
What people don’t often talk about is how secondment makes you grow personally, too.
You’re navigating two cultures. You represent two brands. You report to two teams. And in that space, you learn adaptability, diplomacy, and a deeper kind of empathy. You learn how to speak two “languages” – the agency’s and the client’s – and how to bridge gaps before they even form.
It also changes how you work. You truly are more than a service provider, but a true partner. You care more, think deeper, and align faster with your client. When you’re lucky enough to be part of a client team that values collaboration and open communication, it becomes something even more fulfilling: a shared success story.
I’ve come to realize that secondment isn’t just beneficial for me. It is so for the client: They gain someone who understands their business inside out, but who also brings fresh thinking and an external perspective. But also for the agency: They build deeper relationships with the client and ensure stronger, more consistent output. And, truthfully, for me: I get to grow faster, learn more, and contribute in a far more meaningful way than I ever imagined when I first started.
When I speak with friends in the industry now and they ask me about what I do, I increasingly find myself saying: “If you ever find yourself in a seconded role, embrace it!”Don’t see it as being “loaned out” or “disconnected” — because in truth, you’re at the center of something incredibly powerful. You’re a bridge between agency and client. The connector. The translator. When you approach the role with curiosity, commitment, and openness, it becomes one of the most enriching professional experiences you can have.
For me, it’s been exactly that. Two companies, one role, and a journey that keeps making me better.
