Account Director

Chartwells Independent; Greater London; On-site; GBP 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food service company is seeking an EMEA Account Director in London. This strategic role involves leading a high-profile client partnership and overseeing a large team. Key responsibilities include nurturing client relationships, ensuring operational excellence, and managing financial performance. The ideal candidate will have proven senior leadership experience in contract catering, exceptional client relationship skills, and a strong commercial acumen. A comprehensive benefits package is provided to reward your hard work.

Benefits

Contributory pension scheme

Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes

Digital GP access for family

Exclusive travel discounts

Grocery discounts

Cinema ticket discounts

Cash rewards on spend

Free wellness and mindfulness classes

Share discounts with friends and family

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior leadership role within the contract catering industry.
• Strong track record of managing high-value, complex accounts.
• Exceptional client relationship skills at the executive level.
• Demonstrated ability to lead large diverse teams across EMEA.
• Commercially astute with strong financial acumen.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic direction of the site ensuring service standards.
• Act as the primary point of contact for client relationship management.
• Oversee daily catering and hospitality operations.
• Inspire, coach, and develop a large team focused on growth.
• Manage P&L, budgets, and forecast for commercial performance.

Skills

Leadership

Client Relationship Management

Financial Management

Team Development

Strategic Thinking

Job description

Account Director - EMEA

London

£85,000

Join a high turnover operation at the heart of London’s contract catering sector!

We’re seeking an experienced, commercially driven EMEA Account Director to lead a high-profile client partnership and inspire a large talented team. As the strategic lead for one of our corporate sites, you’ll champion operational excellence, elevate the customer experience, and drive continuous growth across a complex, multi-stakeholder environment. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of an exciting account within a dynamic, innovative, and people-focused business.

Main Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Lead the end-to-end strategic direction of a successful site, ensuring delivery of exceptional service standards and alignment with client objectives across the EMEA region.
• Client Relationship Management: Act as the primary senior point of contact for the client, nurturing a strong partnership, anticipating needs, and proactively driving value, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Operational Excellence: Oversee daily catering and hospitality operations, ensuring consistency, quality, and compliance across all service lines.
• Team Leadership & Development: Inspire, coach, and develop a large team, cultivating a high-performance culture focused on engagement, accountability, and growth.
• Financial Management: Own the P&L for the site, managing budgets, forecasting, reporting, and driving commercial performance.

What you’ll bring

• Proven experience in a senior leadership role within the contract catering industry
• Strong track record of managing high-value, complex accounts
• Exceptional client relationship skills, with the ability to engage, influence, and build trust at executive level.
• Demonstrated ability to lead large, diverse teams (100+ employees) across EMEA/global regions
• Commercially astute, with strong financial acumen
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate client needs into innovative, value-adding solutions.

We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:

• Contributory pension scheme
• Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
• Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
• Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
• Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
• You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families