Account Director

Element; Abu Dhabi; Hybrid; AED 480,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

Element MEA is supporting a leading Dubai-based creative and digital agency in appointing an Account Director on a full-time maternity cover contract to lead a prestigious multi-faceted Abu Dhabi Government account. The role is hybrid and remote-first, with on-site client meetings in Abu Dhabi as needed, and reports to the Group Managing Director.

You must be based in the UAE with your own transport. Key responsibilities include steering high-level government relationships, leading

Qualifications

• 8+ years of agency account management experience.
• UAE or Abu Dhabi Government experience is strongly preferred.
• Hands-on understanding of Social Media, Performance and Media Buying, Web Development, SEO/GEO and Content Marketing.

Responsibilities

• Lead the relationship with senior government stakeholders, managing complex expectations and approvals.
• Chair monthly steering reviews and lead weekly status meetings on-site and virtually in Abu Dhabi.
• Provide strategic counsel on integrated communications and digital transformation.
• Direct multidisciplinary teams across Social Media, Paid Performance, Media Buying, Website, SEO GEO and Content Marketing.
• Turn government mandates into clear account plans, scopes of work and creative briefs; own quality across client deliverables.
• Own the account P&L, retainer utilization, margins, billing, media spend reconciliations and vendor costs.
• Report account performance forecasts and resource needs to agency leadership and identify growth opportunities.

Skills

Account management

Executive presence

Communication

Strategic advisory

Job description

element MEA is supporting a leading Dubai-based creative and digital agency in appointing an Account Director on a full-time maternity cover contract to lead a prestigious multi-faceted Abu Dhabi Government account. The agency s identity will be shared with shortlisted candidates. You will own the client relationship at senior level acting as the client s key strategic advisor setting the direction for integrated delivery across Social Media, Performance and Media Buying, Website, SEO GEO and Content Marketing and holding the account to high standards of quality, timeliness and commercial discipline. Full-time fixed-term contract maternity cover from mid-November 2026 to 31 March 2027 about 5 5 months Hybrid and remote-first mostly remote during UAE business hours Monday to Friday 9 00 AM to 6 00 PM GST with regular in-person client meetings, workshops and steering reviews at client offices in Abu Dhabi. Reporting to the Group Managing Director. You must be based in the UAE with your own means of transport.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the relationship with senior government stakeholders managing complex expectations, multi-layered approvals and high-priority requests with diplomatic confidence.
• Chair monthly steering reviews and lead weekly status meetings and working sessions both virtually and on-site in Abu Dhabi.
• Provide strategic counsel on integrated communications and digital transformation.
• Direct multidisciplinary teams across Social Media, Paid Performance and Media Buying, Website, SEO GEO and Content Marketing.
• Turn government mandates into clear account plans, scopes of work and creative briefs and own quality across all client-facing deliverables.
• Own the account P&L retainer utilization scope burn margins billing media spend reconciliations and vendor costs.
• Report account performance forecasts and resource needs to agency leadership and identify opportunities to grow the account.

Nice to have

• Arabic fluency written and spoken a significant advantage for government client relations.
• Familiarity with Abu Dhabi Government brand guidelines and protocol.

What you'll bring

• 8+ years of agency account management experience, including at Account Director level or as a senior lead on integrated, multi-channel accounts.
• UAE or Abu Dhabi Government experience is strongly preferred.
• Hands-on understanding of how Social Media, Performance and Media Buying, Web Development, SEO/GEO and Content Marketing work together.
• Confidence with formal protocol, layered government approvals and fast-turnaround announcements.
• Strong commercial acumen: P&L ownership, retainer burn and margin management.
• Executive presence, excellent communication and a structured, detail-oriented way of working.