Account Director

Jaywing; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading marketing agency in the UK is seeking an experienced Account Director to oversee high-value client accounts. The successful candidate will set strategic visions, drive operational excellence, and have strong client relationship management skills. You will lead a talented team and ensure best-in-class service to renowned brands while achieving commercial objectives. This role promises a dynamic environment focused on innovative strategies and client success.

Qualifications

• 5–6 years’ experience in account management or strategic client services role.
• Proven track record of leading high-value client accounts.
• Strong commercial acumen with P&L responsibility.
• Exceptional relationship management skills.
• Excellent presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead a portfolio of high-value client accounts.
• Set the strategic vision and ensure alignment with business goals.
• Drive operational efficiency and oversee team structures.
• Manage Senior Account Managers and develop talent.
• Build multi-year relationships with C-suite stakeholders.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Commercial Ownership

Operational Excellence

Leadership & Talent Development

Excellent communication skills

Job description

We are seeking a commercially driven and strategically minded Account Director to lead a portfolio of high-value client accounts and act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders.

As an Account Director, you will set the strategic vision for your accounts, delivering integrated, multi-channel marketing strategies that ladder up to client business goals. You’ll take ownership of commercial performance, driving both revenue growth and client retention, while managing and developing a talented team.

You will work closely with senior leadership and specialist teams, ensuring clients receive best-in-class service and strategic guidance, while playing a key role in shaping the future direction of the agency.

Key Accountabilities

Essential skills will include (but not be limited to!):

Strategic Leadership

• Define and deliver the strategic vision for a portfolio of high-value accounts.
• Guide clients on long-term digital strategy beyond day-to-day campaign delivery, ensuring activity aligns to overarching business objectives.
• Lead multi-channel strategy development, integrating PPC, SEO, creative, and data to deliver measurable results.
• Champion innovation, bringing forward-thinking ideas and solutions to both clients and internal teams.

Commercial Ownership

• Take full accountability for commercial performance including profitability, revenue growth, and account renewals.
• Build and deliver growth plans that include upsell, cross-sell, and new business opportunities.
• Negotiate budgets, contracts, and retainers to ensure sustainable commercial value for both clients and the agency.
• Monitor key account metrics such as retention, revenue, and satisfaction to ensure strong client health.
• Act as the senior escalation point for client service challenges, resolving issues quickly and maintaining client trust.
• Build multi-year relationships with C-suite and director-level stakeholders, positioning the agency as a strategic partner.
• Lead high-value pitches and proposals, articulating a clear, data-driven vision for growth.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee resourcing and team structures, ensuring effective utilisation of specialists and alignment across delivery teams.
• Drive operational efficiency by identifying and implementing process improvements.
• Ensure that work meets both agency and client quality standards, delivering best-in-class campaigns.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Directly manage Senior Account Managers and Account Managers, setting clear expectations and development plans (PDPs).
• Identify talent gaps, support recruitment decisions, and nurture a strong leadership pipeline.
• Act as a role model by leading through example, fostering a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing culture.
• Partner with specialist department leads (PPC, SEO, Creative, Data) to ensure strategic alignment and seamless delivery.

Experience & Skills Required

• 5–6 years’ experience in an account management or strategic client services role, ideally within a digital or integrated marketing agency.
• Proven track record of leading high-value client accounts and delivering measurable growth.
• Demonstrated expertise in multi-channel marketing, including performance media, creative, and data-driven strategy.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience managing P&L responsibility, revenue forecasting, and profitability tracking.
• Exceptional relationship management skills with experience working directly with C-suite and director-level stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with confidence in leading pitches and workshops.
• Experience mentoring and developing teams, fostering professional growth and succession planning.
• A head for numbers, with the ability to confidently analyse data, track performance, and inform strategic decisions.
• Strong problem-solving mindset, able to anticipate challenges and proactively implement solutions.

Why work at Jaywing?

Jaywing has a friendly and ambitious culture. We believe in thinking big, exploring new technology, using data science to inspire creativity, caring about everything that has our name behind it, and working as one team. We believe that creativity cannot exist without method and viceversa.

With clients spanning Pepsi Max, Hallmark, Gala Bingo, Walkers, Savills, and Goodyear we have a real mix and are super proud of the portfolio of 50+ brilliant brands we’ve amassed over the years.

Send a covering letter, CV and anything else you think showcases your talent to [e-mail]

Jaywing is an equal opportunities employer.