Global Account Director

ZENITH; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A global marketing agency is looking for a Global Account Director based in Greater London to manage the account for Philip Morris International. This pivotal role involves overseeing client interactions, ensuring high-quality project outputs, and leading a team to optimize performance across diverse markets. The ideal candidate will have extensive account management experience, excellent communication skills, and the ability to navigate complex regulatory environments. Benefits include flexible working, well-being days, and support for personal and professional growth.

Benefits

Opportunity to work globally for up to 6 weeks annually

Two additional paid leave days for well-being

24/7 support helpline

Family-friendly policies with full pay for maternity/adoption

Birthday day off

Membership discounts at local establishments

Qualifications

• Experience as a Global Account Director is essential.
• Fluent in English and able to communicate effectively.
• Willingness to travel for client workshops or sessions.

Responsibilities

• Lead project management alongside the Business Director.
• Support team members with account management tasks.
• Oversee client deliverables and ensure quality standards.
• Facilitate client meetings and provide regular updates.
• Monitor industry trends and identify opportunities.

Skills

Account management skills

Strong presentation skills

Excellent written and verbal communication

Analytical skills

Proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint

FMCG knowledge

Ability to influence and problem solve

Job description

Company description

We are the ROI agency, a position we have proudly held true to since 2005. Our more than 6,000 specialists across 95 markets offer unparalleled capabilities in Media, Data, Technology, Commerce and Content. We put effectiveness at the heart of our work to solve complex challenges, drive successful business outcomes, and grow our clients’ businesses. Over the years, we have evolved our definition of ROI, as it has changed with the ever‑complicated communications landscape. ROI is no longer simply about the most efficient planning, buying and reporting of media. Yes, ROI is about delivering Return on Investment; but it’s also about going beyond to deliver a Return on Imagination and more integrated experiences that inspire Growth. Top‑line growth for our clients’ businesses, growth for our people and growth for our culture. Powered by our best‑in‑class proprietary tools and data, our work spans the full spectrum of media communications, from analytics, data and technology to performance marketing, content and superior trading. This breadth means we deliver Insight that lies at the intersection of consumer, category, and brand, attributing every budget to stronger business outcomes. It means we deliver more creative media solutions that bring together best‑in‑class strategy, planning and the power of Publicis Groupe to ensure distinct and more personal brand experiences for our clients. It means we adopt new data analytics and value optimisation techniques while building relationships with some of the world’s most exciting start‑ups. We leverage over 30 years of media planning expertise to go beyond traditional media solutions and deliver a Return on Investment that is both forward‑thinking and accountable to our clients. At Zenith, we ultimately seek out a more meaningful kind of ROI. Our unique way of thinking inspires growth for some of the world’s leading brands, including Coty, Electrolux, Essity, Lactalis, Luxottica, Nestlé, Nomad Foods, Reckitt, TikTok and Verizon.

Overview

We are seeking a talented and organised Global Account Director to join the Zenith International team to work on Philip Morris International. This is an opportunity to work on one of the businesses largest accounts, with exposure to over 50 markets, making it a dynamic and diverse role. We are looking for someone to come in and make an impact – working closely with our Business Director supporting on general account management, working on key projects with the Digital Director and Strategy Director, spotting opportunities to improve performance, highlighting great work from the markets, working on improvements to running the account, supporting with escalations and helping lead key client meetings such as global QBRs. This position will suit someone that’s proactive, is able to work independently whilst keeping relevant team members informed, is able to build strong relationships both agency and client side and juggle multiple workstreams. They will also need to be able to understand a complex industry with different regulations across markets and products. The role has immense potential for a strong Account Director.

Responsibilities

• Working with the Business Director to divide and lead different projects
• Support the other team members on the global account
• Oversee and manage client deliveries such as QBRs
• Overseeing key project outputs ensuring they are to a strong standard and to brief
• Working with the Hub Lead on escalations, bringing in relevant people to help resolve as required
• Providing the client with regular updates on markets and teams so they have visibility
• Leading the monthly market meeting ensuring all teams have fed in relevant information and the global client has fed in
• Assist in vetting potential partners
• Collaborate with internal teams on improvements and opportunities for better ways of working
• Keeping on top of industry trends
• Spotting opportunities that will provide value to the client

Qualifications

• Already a Global Account Director
• Intermediate Excel and Powerpoint skills
• A strong presenter, confident and collected
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Naturally interested in people and what makes them tick, how to influence them, think laterally, problem solve and ask questions
• Strong analytical skills
• Fluent in English
• Willingness to travel should it be required for workshops or sessions with local markets
• Strong manager of people
• Familiar with FMCG and restricted category clients
• Pitching experience
• Fast learner
• Strong account management skills – able to handle client demands, prioritise and pushback as required
• Keen to take on challenges

Benefits

• WORK YOUR WORLD opportunity to work anywhere in the world, where there is a Publicis office, for up to 6 weeks a year.
• REFLECTION DAYS - Two additional days of paid leave to step away from your usual day-to-day work and create time to focus on your well‑being and self‑care.
• HELP@HAND BENEFITS 24/7 helpline to support you on a personal and professional level. Access to remote GPs, mental health support and CBT. Wellbeing content and lifestyle coaching.
• FAMILY FRIENDLY POLICIES We provide 26 weeks of full pay for the following family milestones: Maternity. Adoption, Surrogacy and Shared Parental Leave.
• FLEXIBLE WORKING, BANK HOLIDAY SWAP & BIRTHDAY DAY OFF You are entitled to an additional day off for your birthday, from your first day of employment.
• GREAT LOCAL DISCOUNTS This includes membership discounts with Soho Friends, local restaurants and retailers in Westfield White City and Television Centre.

Publicis Groupe operates a hybrid working pattern with full time employees being office‑based three days during the working week. We are supportive of all candidates and are committed to providing a fair assessment process. If you have any circumstances (such as neurodiversity, physical or mental impairments or a medical condition) that may affect your assessment, please inform your Talent Acquisition Partner. We will discuss possible adjustments to ensure fairness. Rest assured, disclosing this information will not impact your treatment in our process. Please make sure you check out the Publicis Career Page which showcases our Inclusive Benefits and our EAG’s (Employee Action Groups).