Account Director

Hybrid; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellbeing allowance

Annual learning hours allowance

Festive time off

Free weekly breakfast deliveries

Secure bike storage & showers

Job summary

Hybrid, a leading education-focused marketing agency, is seeking an Account Director in Bristol with hybrid working. You will lead strategic partnership accounts, drive retention and growth, and manage a team of Senior and Account Managers across Paid Media, Tech, Creative and Research.

You’ll report to the Group Account Director and shape long-term client strategy while collaborating with specialist teams to deliver innovative, full-service solutions for UK education brands.

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience managing and growing key client accounts in a digital media or agency setting.
• Strong Paid Media experience across PPC, paid social and related channels.
• Proven ability to build trusted relationships with senior clients and drive retention and growth.
• Experience leading and developing account teams with a coaching style.
• Strategic and commercial thinking to translate client objectives into digital solutions.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management for senior client conversations.
• Interest in innovation, emerging technologies and AI to improve outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow Hybrid’s key Strategic Partnership accounts with trusted relationships.
• Mentor and develop a team of Senior Account Managers and Account Managers.
• Act as strategic advisor, delivering full-service Paid Media, Tech, Creative and Research solutions.
• Collaborate with leadership to drive retention, growth and operational excellence.
• Champion high-quality campaign delivery using market insight and testing.
• Own client escalations with clear action plans and fast resolutions.
• Drive cross-office collaboration and improve processes and reporting.
• Contribute thought leadership to senior client conversations and strategy.

Skills

Account management

Paid Media

Senior relationship building

Team leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Innovation & AI interest

Education

Degree educated

Job description

Job title: Account Director

Location: Bristol, BS1 4HX | hybrid working

Summary of Role

As an Account Director at Hybrid, you’ll lead our key Strategic Partnership accounts, solving complex client challenges and driving retention, growth and innovation across Paid Media, Tech, Creative and Research. You’ll lead and develop a team of Senior Account Managers and Account Managers, ensuring exceptional client delivery while fostering collaboration across our specialist teams. Reporting to the Group Account Director, you’ll play a key role in shaping long-term client strategy, strengthening partnerships and helping Hybrid deliver the UK’s most successful education-sector accounts.

About Hybrid:

Hybrid is an award-winning global marketing agency specialising in higher education. With six offices worldwide and more than 16 years of experience, we’ve launched successful campaigns with universities and education brands across the globe.

Today, we’re a leading name in the sector, with a strong share of the university market and over 40% year-on-year growth. As part of EAB; a worldwide leader in education services, we’re continuing to build on that success, expanding our digital solutions and capabilities to offer even more to the education sector.

What you’ll do:

• Lead and grow Hybrid’s key Strategic Partnership accounts, building trusted relationships and delivering against clients’ business and marketing objectives.

• Manage, mentor and develop a team of Senior Account Managers and Account Managers, setting clear objectives and supporting their career progression.

• Act as a strategic advisor to clients, bringing together Paid Media, Tech, Creative and Research to deliver innovative, full-service solutions.

• Work closely with the Group Account Director and wider leadership team to drive client retention, growth, operational excellence and new business opportunities.

• Champion high-quality campaign delivery, using market insight, testing, optimisation and emerging technologies to add value for clients.

• Lead on client escalations, ensuring clear action plans and fast, effective resolution while maintaining strong client relationships.

• Drive collaboration across offices and specialist teams, improving processes, communication, reporting and efficiencies.

• Bring thought leadership and industry expertise to senior client conversations, helping shape both immediate priorities and long-term partnership strategy.

What we’re looking for:

• 5+ years’ experience managing and growing key client accounts within a digital media or agency environment.

• Strong experience across Paid Media, including PPC, paid social and wider digital channels, with the ability to confidently advise clients on strategy and performance.

• A proven track record of building trusted relationships with senior clients, driving retention, growth and long-term partnerships.

• Experience managing and developing account teams, with a supportive leadership style and a focus on performance and progression.

• Strong strategic and commercial thinking, with the ability to turn client objectives into effective digital marketing solutions.

• Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills, with confidence leading senior-level client conversations.

• A genuine interest in innovation, emerging technologies and AI, and how they can improve client outcomes and team efficiency.

• Degree educated; experience within Higher Education is desirable but not essential.

What’s in it for you:

Central Bristol location - just off King Street and a 10-minute walk from Temple Meads

£25 monthly wellbeing allowance - spend it on your physical or mental wellbeing

Investing in your development - grow your career with a dedicated annual allowance of learning hours, regular training sessions and support from our in-house Director of Learning and Performance

Supporting life beyond work -enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Health and wellbeing - access free support and advice via our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and a subscription to the Calm app

Festive time off - enjoy a company-wide break between Christmas and New Year

Company events and socials – take time out as a team with regular away days plus Summer and Christmas parties

Office perks – free weekly breakfast deliveries and fresh fruit

Commuter-friendly facilities – secure bike storage and showers on-site

What makes Hybrid different:

We don’t just run campaigns; we create work that makes a difference.

It’s our people that make it possible. At Hybrid, you’ll work alongside smart, supportive colleagues who value different perspectives, encourage new ideas and give you the space to do your best work. You’ll have the opportunity to work on meaningful projects for leading education brands, while continuing to develop your skills and experience.

Hybrid Media is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and believe that a diverse team brings richer perspectives, stronger creativity, and better outcomes for our people and our clients.

What happens next:

Every application is personally reviewed by our Talent team, and we’ll be in touch once the shortlisting process is complete.