Account Director at Saatchi & Saatchi BrandsRock

Distell Account Director

The Account Director plays an essential role in driving their accounts by ensuring seamless campaign execution against timelines and budget. We expect this person to demonstrate the skills to be credible at this level, with the ability to problem solve and escalate as needed to the Account Director Lead/Managing Partner and be able to stay in control of the roll out of Client campaigns through collaboration with the Publicis Communications agencies.

The Account Director role is to implement and manage the successful creation, development and roll out of Client campaign communication in a TTL capacity.

Key Activities and Responsibilities

Client relationships

• Strategically lead your portfolio of accounts and build strong, long lasting relationships.
• Have a solid understanding of the brands you work on from a brand and in market POV.
• Supporting and collaborating with the wider client service team to help increase and maximise client relationships and business opportunities.
• Have the ability to offer sound recommendations and add real value that positively influences the business.

Staff relationships

• Be collaborative with act as a team player with the wider staff compliment.
• Ensure you are always approachable to all members of the team and have the ability to be a proactive 'problem solver'.
• Work in and open and honest way with your line manager ensuring that issues are raised quickly.

New Business

• Show value by identifying potential business opportunities for both the Groupe as well as Client.  

Talent

• Nurture and grow your Account Manager from the get go supporting them in the operational and client relationship success of their day to day work.
• Grow strong partnerships with the Strategic, Data and Creative teams to ensure they are able to deliver work that generates measurable business returns for our clients.
• To be seen an effective decision maker and problem solver on your direct accounts.

Culture

• Support and maintain the host agencies culture across your team.
• Work with your AM and Managing Partner to help shift your clients relationships from pure execution to becoming more consultative partners who add real value.
• Proactively contribute to the on-going vision of the agency, leading by example and driving an innovative spirit within the PO1 team.

Operational Success

• Work with the Managing Partner to always improve/streamline agency processes and business efficiencies.
• Work collaboratively with the agency’s leadership team to ensure suitability of internal and external resources required to achieve clients’ needs.
• Respect the operational processes at all times.
• Taking responsibility for client and employee reviews, improving scores year on year.
• Ensure campaigns are fully integrated and deliver on brief requirements.

Commercial and budgetary responsibility

• Work with the Managing Partner and Financial Controllers to ensure business profitability.
• Take ownership of your accounts finances and ensure CE's, and billings are done on time as outlined by the Finance team.
• Keep abreast of market developments, trends and innovation in order to identify potential opportunities for the agency and your clients.
• The ability to scope projects from a resourcing and timing POV.  

Skills Required

• Solid understanding of the requirements of an Account Director and general running of an advertising agency.
• Creative appreciation; understanding the value of great ideas and able to recognise strong strategic and creative work and how to produce it.
• Proven experience in strategically leading client accounts.
• Experience in successfully identifying and driving new business opportunities.
• Exceptional relationship builder with the ability to operate at a senior and strategic level with key clients and help resolve issues across your portfolio smoothly and effectively.
• Business and emotional maturity.
• Problem solving - understanding and offering solutions.
• Durable, stamina, relentless high energy, drive and proactiveness.
• Strategic thinker with an excellent understanding of key industry influences and the ability to apply this thinking to a variety of clients and brands.
• Commercial focus and entrepreneurial drive.
• Good people manager with an ability to inspire, motivate and mentor your direct reports.
• Ability to successfully collaborate with key agency partners.
• Self-starter who is confident in own abilities and decision making.

~Salary is market related.