Group Account Director

McBride Sport; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm is looking for a Group Account Director to lead high-profile client accounts within a dynamic sports and entertainment marketing consultancy. This role entails driving partnership strategies, overseeing commercial responsibilities, and delivering outstanding results for senior clients. Candidates should possess proven leadership skills, a solid background in the industry, and the ability to inspire and empower teams. This position requires presence in the London office at least three days per week, offering a flexible working model.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in sport and entertainment partnerships.
• Confident in managing budgets, scoping, and profitability.
• Experience negotiating partnership agreements is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead partnership activation planning to deliver on client objectives.
• Craft strategic, insight-driven solutions.
• Build strong relationships with senior clients.
• Guide and inspire internal teams.
• Manage budgets, client scopes, profitability and P&L.
• Lead high-level presentations and proposals.

Skills

Strong experience working with senior-level clients

Excellent communicator

Commercially astute

Inspirational team leader

Skilled presenter and strategic thinker

Job description

McBride Sport Executive Search is proud to be partnering with a dynamic and industry-leading sports and entertainment marketing consultancy to identify a high-calibre Group Account Director to join their senior team. With an impressive track record of delivering impactful campaigns across strategy, insight, planning, creative, rights consultancy, activation, events, PR and measurement, our client has firmly established themselves as one of the most respected agencies in the industry. As Group Account Director, you’ll take the strategic lead across a portfolio of high-profile client accounts. You’ll serve as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, shaping partnership strategies and ensuring brilliant delivery across all elements of client work. This is a leadership role for someone who brings gravitas, commercial acumen, and a deep understanding of the sport and entertainment partnership landscape. Key responsibilities include:

Key Responsibilities

• Lead partnership activation planning to deliver on client objectives and audience engagement
• Use your rights and sponsorship expertise to craft strategic, insight-driven solutions
• Build strong, trusted relationships with senior clients and stakeholders
• Guide and inspire internal teams, clearly defining responsibilities and overseeing delivery
• Collaborate across divisions to integrate specialist services into client solutions
• Take full commercial responsibility – managing budgets, client scopes, profitability and P&L
• Lead and contribute to high-level presentations, proposals and new business pitches
• Support negotiations on sponsorship contracts and partnership terms

We’re seeking a confident, strategic leader with a proven track record in sport and entertainment partnerships. You will bring:

Key Qualifications

• Strong experience working with senior-level clients (e.g. Director/CMO/CEO)
• Excellent communicator – calm under pressure, thoughtful and persuasive
• Commercially astute – confident in managing budgets, scoping and profitability
• Inspirational team leader – collaborative, empowering and invested in people’s growth
• Skilled presenter and strategic thinker – able to confidently sell in ideas and campaigns
• Experience negotiating partnership agreements is a plus

Our client offers a flexible working model – however, this is a senior and collaborative role, and you'll be expected to work from their Central London office at least three days per week.