Job Description

Job title: Senior Account Director

Department: Account Management

Location: London

The discipline of Account Management exists to create an environment for great work to thrive. Account Management sets the tone, pace and ways of working. This department has to weigh and balance client needs with agency ambitions to determine the vision, and then make sure everyone is clear on that vision and how to get there. Despite the title, Account Management doesn't manage accounts, they ultimately drive businesses.

The Senior Account Director is the day-to-day lead of the team, the work and has oversight of the process at scale.

Beyond process and creative output, they are strategic partners to the day-to-day and senior clients. They work closely with the Managing Partner or Group Account Director to set the tone and pace of a piece of business, and help to ensure that both vision and tone are understood and reflected by all on the team.

Essential Functions

Drive the client relationship by knowing their organization and business inside and out, act as their trusted partner and lead daily contact Strong input on strategy and a clear point of view on creative work Provide guidance and training to the rest of the team and confidently manage them without authority Responsible for agency delivery at highest quality across all projects Gets the best work out of the client, the agency and the team, and fosters an environment where everyone feels supported and brave about ideas Trusted leader of the agency team who can articulate macro business context and agency ambition, and can mobilize the team Possesses a clear understanding of our business and the triggers and drivers of profitability Senior day-to-day clients' trusted voice and partner, and can proxy for the Managing Partner or Group Account Director when meeting the senior clients A clear and well-articulated point of view on the client's business and ensures the internal team understands the client's aims and goals Brings an informed and independent point of view to strategic thinking and the creative work Strategizes and architects the agency's best approach to situations, thinking several steps ahead with all the potential repercussions Clearly articulates the agency's agenda and point of view Confidently manages divergent opinions--internally and externally--creating an aligned path forward Possesses nuanced understanding of the agency business, and proactively advises the Managing Partner or Group Account Director on thoughts and opportunities for organic growth Understands when and how senior stakeholders need to be involved internally and externally, and can clearly and concisely brief upwards on situations, potential solutions and desired outcomes Understand how to build a resource plan and fee proposal, and provides input on annual statements of work with an informed point of view Opens and closes meetings by providing clarity and direction, and confidently guides conversation throughout to desired outcome

Qualifications

Possesses a Bachelor's degree or equivalent and advertising agency experience Strong commercial skills and familiarity with accounting/commercial principles Exceptional written and verbal communication skills Excellent attention to detail Strong time-management and organizational skills Strong client-service orientation Flexible to evolving responsibilities and last-minute changes Influential and effective leadership skills * Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and high-pressure environment