Account Director (Point of Sale Materials + Premiums), Milan

Purpose of the Job

We are seeking a dynamic, commercially astute and culturally fluent Account Director to lead strategic client relationships across Italy and Germany for a prestigious global beverages client. This role will oversee the delivery of high-impact print, 3D point of sale materials (POSM) and branded merchandise solutions that elevate brand visibility and drive consumer engagement in on and off trade environments, and is pivotal in driving strategic growth, ensuring operational excellence, and fostering long-term partnerships with key client stakeholders.

Reporting into the Regional Account Director, the Account Director will take full responsibility for the strategic and operational management of the accounts under their responsibility and managing the performance of their team, ensuring all work is completed in line with the SLA. This individual also needs to be a strong leader who can focus on the vision and strategies of the account, balance daily support needs with long-term strategy and successfully combine vision and reality into effective plans.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior point of contact for client stakeholders in Italy and Germany, ensuring exceptional service delivery and strategic alignment with brand goals
• Delivering operational excellence
• With the Regional Account Director manage the on and off-site Account Teams that operate in the areas of the clients business under your direction ensuring compliance to company operating procedure
• Manage the personal development of your team members through, appraisals, one‑to‑one meetings, mentoring and training
• Take ownership of and resolve issues, quality concerns or corrective actions
• Developing effective growth strategies and managing the opportunities for these Clients
• With the Regional Account Director; build client development plans for each year
• Achieve and excel growth targets
• Manage overall financial performance of the account, risk analysis and remedy
• Identifying risks to the account and putting in place strategies to manage these risks
• Contract review and renewal
• Develop strong relationships with senior key decision makers
• Regular MI reporting and production of account relationship plans

Knowledge, Skills + Experience

• Proven experience in account management or client services within print, POSM or branded merchandise - ideally for FMCG or beverage brands
• Fluent in Italian and / or German (business proficiency required); English fluency essential
• Strong understanding of retail marketing, consumer engagement, and brand activation in the beverages sector
• Extensive people management experience including performance management and team leadership
• Experienced in taking responsibility for managing client service plans, KPIs, budgeting, forecasting and leadership
• Proven track record of operational management for client services departments
• Significant experience in developing and maintaining client relationships
• Able to present account planning and strategy for retention, growth and added value
• Demonstrable track record of successful client and contract management
• Can anticipate internal and/or external business issues and develop risk mitigation strategies
• Experience of managing department financials
• Have in depth knowledge of Performance Improvement philosophy and implementation
• Significant experience of managing work in a fast-paced retail environment
• Previous experience of presenting to Senior Management/Board level
• Strong experience of dealing with large P+L budgets
• Excellent interpersonal skills, able to develop positive relationships at all levels, with all types of people up to Board level
• Excellent communication skills – verbal, written, presentation – with clarity of expression
• Demonstrable people management skills
• Passion for quality

PayType

Salary

EmploymentIndicator

Regular