Account Director

O'Neils Recruitment; Hatching Green; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

O'Neils Recruitment is seeking an Account Director for an experiential marketing and events agency. The role blends strategic client leadership, commercial accountability, team management and delivery of large-scale campaigns.

The position is offered on a hybrid basis, with in-office and remote days. The role requires a track record of 6+ years in experiential marketing or related agency sectors, with success managing £250k–£1m+ budgets and driving growth across key accounts.

Qualifications

• 6+ years' experience within experiential marketing, live events, brand activation, or related agency environments.
• Proven success managing high-value campaign budgets (£250k-£1m+) with profitability and growth.
• Strong commercial acumen with ability to identify new business opportunities and grow existing accounts.
• Experience leading and developing teams, including freelance resource management.
• Excellent stakeholder management, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong operational understanding of live events, logistics, venue management, custom builds, sampling campaigns, and health & safety compliance.
• Willingness to travel as required for nationwide events and activations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop senior client relationships as the primary strategic contact across multiple accounts.
• Translate client objectives into actionable campaign plans and identify opportunities for growth.
• Own account profitability including budgeting, forecasting, expenditure approval and margins.
• Manage and mentor Account Managers and Account Executives with coaching and performance reviews.
• Collaborate with production teams to deliver high-standard experiential campaigns and live events.
• Oversee supplier relationships, venue sourcing, contract negotiations, logistics, and RAMS compliance.
• Lead pitches and proposals including creative strategy, budget planning, and client presentations.

Job description

Account Director - Experiential Marketing & Events - Hybrid

An exciting opportunity for an experienced Account Director to join a growing experiential marketing and events agency. This role combines strategic client leadership, commercial responsibility, team management, and the delivery of high-profile experiential campaigns and live events. The position is offered on a hybrid basis, with 2 days in the office and 3 days remote.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop senior client relationships, acting as the primary strategic contact across multiple accounts. Translate client objectives into actionable campaign plans while identifying opportunities for account growth and repeat business
• Take full ownership of account profitability, including budgeting, forecasting, expenditure approval, margin management, and project reconciliation.
• Manage and mentor Account Managers and Account Executives through regular coaching, performance reviews, and professional development initiatives. Oversee freelance recruitment, contracts, and briefing processes.
• Work closely with production teams to ensure seamless delivery of experiential campaigns, brand activations, and live events to the highest standards.
• Oversee supplier relationships, venue sourcing, contract negotiations, logistics, custom builds, and event compliance, including health & safety and RAMS management.
• Lead pitches and proposals, contributing to creative strategy, presentation development, budget planning, and client presentations.

Desired Experience

• 6+ years' experience within experiential marketing, live events, brand activation, or related agency environments.
• Proven success managing high-value campaign budgets (£250k-£1m+) with responsibility for profitability and growth.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to identify new business opportunities and grow existing accounts.
• Experience leading and developing teams, including freelance resource management.
• Excellent stakeholder management, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong operational understanding of live events, logistics, venue management, custom builds, sampling campaigns, and health & safety compliance.
• Willingness to travel as required for nationwide events and activations.
• Full UK driving licence preferred.

This role would suit a commercially minded experiential marketing professional who enjoys balancing strategic client leadership, team development, and hands‑on delivery of large-scale campaigns.