Senior Experiential Account Director

VML South Africa; London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

VML South Africa seeks a Senior Account Director to lead client delivery in the Entertainment & Engagement portfolio. This role demands strong leadership and strategic thinking to cultivate relationships and expand business opportunities while managing a dynamic team. Join a vibrant company culture that values creativity and diverse perspectives.

Benefits

25 days holiday (+bank holidays)

Dental & Private Medical insurance

ClassPass discounts

Flexible working model

Qualifications

• Proven record of success in entertainment & engagement.
• Skilled in developing strong client relationships and managing expectations.
• Able to oversee large-scale event productions.

Responsibilities

• Lead client relationship management and ensure satisfaction.
• Oversee project delivery from concept to execution.
• Identify and pursue growth opportunities within existing accounts.

Skills

Client management

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Job description

At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.

Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences.Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work.

WHO WE ARE:

At VML LIVE, we inspire growth for ambitious brands through sport and entertainment. For more than 25 years, we’ve made it our mission to engage audiences across the world’s biggest sports, major competitions and bespoke experiences. We work solely for brands, and we are rights-holder agnostic, meaning that we won’t compromise on driving the best results and ROI for our clients through their sport and entertainment partnerships.

We are a close-knit, collaborative team with a unique and vibrant culture. Clients value our creativity, our innovative thinking and our strategic, insight-based approach to every challenge. With our HQ in London with offices in other key worldwide locations, we are proud to be part of the VML global network, and a WPP Group agency.

THE ROLE

We’re looking for a Senior Account Director that is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day delivery of the client scope of work within the Entertainment & Engagement portfolio. This role requires a proactive and strategic leader who can cultivate strong client relationships, successfully lead an internal multi-functional team as well as identify organic growth opportunities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Establish a lead role with the client, developing close relationships and a strong awareness of their business and brand objectives.
• Act as the primary point of contact for senior clients, managing expectations and ensuring client satisfaction.
• Provide strategic counsel and guidance to the client on E&E solutions.
• Expand current business relationships by identifying and securing organic growth opportunities within the existing client portfolio.
• Oversee, mentor, motivate, support and train team members.
• Oversee the full planning and delivery of assigned projects, from conceptualisation to execution, including creative development, pre- and on-site event logistics, team management, and post-event reporting.
• Ensure project and account management tools and processes are used effectively internally.
• Identify and mitigate project risks in a timely manner.
• Ensure briefs produce quality work, providing strategic solutions, on time and on budget.
• Receive and manage new client briefs and coordinate with the wider team incl. Project Management to resource each project accordingly.
• Ensure exceptional ideation based on expertise and insights for all types of events, activations, and projects.
• Maintain knowledge of key trends and event content to keep all solutions fresh, innovative, and exciting.
• Coordinate and collaborate with cross-discipline team members to ensure that all parties are on track with project/event requirements, deadlines, and schedules.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• A proven record of success across similar responsibilities in entertainment & engagement.
• Extensive client and account management experience, skilled in handling, influencing, and developing strong relationships with senior clients.
• Outstanding project management skills and excellent capability to use tools efficiently and consistently.
• Extensive communication and reporting skills internally and with the client.
• Strong leadership skills to nurture, mentor and develop the team.
• Collaborative team player with a positive attitude and desire to grow both personally and professionally as the role requires.
• First-class verbal and written communication skills with impeccable attention to detail and understanding of priorities or urgency.
• Experience of leading a range of events including large-scale event production, brand experiences, and private ad hoc events.
• Experience of creative and executing campaigns to support an event including but not limited to video and social channels.
• Experience in working to tight deadlines, with ability to juggle multiple workstreams and projects with a flexible attitude.
• Creative and strategic thinker with ability to fully understand client brief & needs to deliver impactful concepts & solutions.

BENEFITS

In addition to the day-to-day, this role provides the opportunity to become a part of a company with a nurturing and trusting culture. We provide competitive benefits, a flexible working model and initiatives that support your career and wellbeing, including investment in training, 25 days holiday (+bank holidays), ClassPass discounts, Dental & Private Medical insurance to name a few.

At VML Live, a WPP company, we are committed to actively building a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcomed, valued and heard, and is treated with dignity and respect. As leaders and creative partners across industries, it is our responsibility to cultivate an environment reflective of our greatest asset; our people. We believe that this commitment inspires growth and delivers equitable outcomes for everyone as well as the clients and communities we serve

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

When you click "Submit Application", this will send any information you add below to VML. Before you do this, we think it's a good idea to read through ourRecruitment Privacy Policy . California residents should read ourCalifornia Recruitment Privacy Notice . This explains what we do with your personal data when you apply for a role with us, and, how you can update the information you have provided us with or how to remove it.

When you click "Submit Application", this will send any information you add below to VML. Before you do this, we think it's a good idea to read through our Recruitment Privacy Policy . California residents should read our California Recruitment Privacy Notice . This explains what we do with your personal data when you apply for a role with us, and, how you can update the information you have provided us with or how to remove it.