Account Director (6 month FTC)

This is a 6 month fixed term contract initially, with a strong likelihood of extension.

As Account Director, you will be responsible for building strong relationships with clients at all levels, including strategic input, and overseeing the delivery of a wide variety of substantial integrated campaigns.

Responsibilities:

• Manage client briefs from start to finish, ensuring successful delivery to client deadlines across multiple campaigns.
• Liaise with clients and manage their expectations.
• Relay client feedback to designers, copywriters, and developers, and plan and manage workloads of the team.
• Ensure client requirements are met whilst protecting DEPT® values/brand.
• Support the senior team with administrative tasks.
• Build a full understanding of the clients' business, strategies, objectives, brand, audiences, and challenges, advising on the communications solution that best meets their needs.
• Build excellent working relationships with key clients – regular meetings, planning, briefing, evaluation.
• Work closely with creative and strategy teams and have oversight of all statements of work/proposals as well as all content production for clients.
• Ensure the right DEPT® team is in place to deliver, high standards are maintained, and adding value wherever possible.
• Ensure success criteria are met and projects are delivered to time and to budget.
• Ensure a good knowledge of all DEPT® products and services and actively promote them to clients.
• Report to senior management with internal and external issues and events that might impact upon accounts.
• Direct account management activity – undertaking pitches and presentations, formulating and implementing account plans, and running the account management process.
• Hold key new business development responsibilities, working with others in the team to proactively seek new opportunities for the business.
• Ensure processes are followed and that there is consistent professional delivery.
• Maintain a strategic overview of key accounts and their markets – running regular internal client-facing account reviews.
• Oversee the client contract, to proactively manage the account and resources to maximise profitability.

Management and leadership:

• Delegate and allocate responsibilities efficiently to manage projects end to end.
• Interview candidates and hire resources.
• Conduct performance reviews of team members and identify areas of improvement.
• Effectively lead teams and inspire others to achieve goals.
• Identify strengths and weaknesses of team members and suitably make changes if required.
• Encourage team interaction, boost employee motivation, and appreciate team contribution.
• Match project tasks with opportunities for development so that employee potential is utilised to the maximum.
• Manage change and effectively cascade information to teams to ensure smooth execution.

Requirements:

• Experience delivering a broad range of multi-channel marketing communications including digital and direct.
• Extremely organised, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet and manage deadlines with ease and efficiency.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• A great team player and team-building skills.
• People management/leadership skills.
• Excellent negotiator with good networking ability.
• Ability to communicate effectively with team giving guidance and feedback.
• Resource management skills and ability to handle complex issues.
• Understanding of the production & interactive processes.
• Excellent planning and organisation skills.
• Ability to manage and develop client and supplier relationships.
• Ability to commercially manage budgets.
• Proven business development experience and success.
• Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Office Packages.

Benefits:

• A flexible hybrid working policy.
• Early Finish Fridays.
• 26 days paid holiday, plus UK Bank Holidays.
• Access to dedicated mental health resources.
• Company Pension Scheme.
• Access to a Private Medical Insurance or Cash Plan scheme.
• Season Ticket Loan.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• EV Car Scheme.
• Enhanced family-friendly policies.
• Workplace Nursery Scheme.
• DEPT® Allowance.
• Social and Cultural Events.
• Learning and Development.
• Buddy Program.