Account Director

Role Purpose/Overview

The role of Account Director is a key position within our agency, where you will be responsible for leading client accounts and ensuring their satisfaction, profitability, and growth. With a service-oriented mindset, you will be focused on managing client relationships and understanding the important role that media and content play in the communications mix.

As the primary point of contact for our agency's customers, you will work closely with cross-functional teams to coordinate the resources needed to successfully service projects, develop strategic operational plans, and balance client expectations with the execution of creative work. Reporting directly to the Commercial Director, this role is highly collaborative and team-oriented, with a focus on elevating the quality and role of account management within our agency.

Responsibilities

Team Leadership

·       Provide leadership to team members, managing their work, performance, and professional development through Personal Development Plans (PDPs) and regular check-ins.

·       Participate in recruitment and selection decisions for the Client Services team, playing a key role in building a high-performing team.

Organisation & Planning

·       Manage campaign timelines and milestones with clients and internal teams to ensure successful project delivery.

·       Ensure media and creative proposals align with client briefs and obtain necessary client approvals.

·       Create client contracts and required documentation.

·       Manage client meeting set-up, agendas, and meeting notes to ensure smooth communication and collaboration.

Client Services and Account Management

·       Lead client accounts, be responsible for the client agency relationship, profitability, and growth.

·       Build strong relationships with clients, acting as the primary contact between clients and internal teams.

·       Provide guidance and advice to clients, ensuring that TMP fully understands client objectives and campaign briefs to support effective strategy and planning.

·       Conduct client meetings including work-in-progress sessions, briefing and response sessions, and post-report presentations.

·       Address issues or delays across the full cycle of client engagement, from brief to post-report presentation.

·       Assist in running Agency/Client Account Reviews.

·       Present as part of the account and media team to clients as needed. 

Account growth

·       Develop a strong awareness of clients' needs and business problems, building strong relationships with them.

·       Proactively identify opportunities to engage with clients in additional business units, promoting the expansion of business with existing clients.

·       Work with senior managers to generate new accounts and drive account growth.

Budgeting and Finance Management

·       Negotiate contracts and fees with marketing directors and client procurement personnel.

·       Report key financial and team data to the agency's senior leadership, finance, and human resources departments to ensure efficient budgeting and financial management.

Improve Existing Campaign Processes & Standards

·       Collaborate with the wider team to review and improve existing workflows, processes, benchmarks, and standards.

·       Use previous work experience to develop better templates, workflows, and training systems, upskilling other departments to improve client service.

Key Result Areas (Aligned to Commercial Director)

KPIs for KRA’s to be developed in collaboration with the Account Director, including the following;

·       Client relationship health

·       Timeline and response management

·       Internal team relationships and management

·       Client Growth

·       Reporting and administration

·       Proactivity

Skills, education and experience

Some skills and attitudes we’re looking for are;

• Proven experience in an Account Director or similar role
• Ability to plan and strategize at a senior level
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Effective team management capabilities
• Keen attention to detail and ability to work within budgetary constraints
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to negotiate and problem-solve
• Knowledge of current marketing and advertising trends, as well as best practices
• Strong leadership and decision-making skills
• Deep understanding of media channels
• Demonstrable business acumen and understanding of sales processes
• Proactive approach to client management
• Highly analytical, detail-oriented, critical-thinker and problem-solver