Account Director

A bit about us

We are Zeal, the UK’s most effective brand activation agency. We help the world’s biggest brands to engage, inspire and motivate consumers into action.

We’re proudly independent with teams based in the vibrant areas of Clerkenwell, London and MediaCity in Salford, and we’re proud to say one of Campaign Magazines Top Agencies to Work.

We want to be the agency that all clients want to work with and just as importantly, the one that the best people in the industry want to join. Our principles around talent are simple - We find brilliant, self-motivated people with natural ZEAL, we invest in your training and long-term personal development and we will give you the resources you need to be the best amazing. Above all, we make it rewarding and fun as you pursue their personal destiny.

We’re passionate about creating an inclusive place to work that celebrates and values diversity and inclusion, and ultimately enriches our culture.

Role in summary

As our new Account Director, you’ll strategically lead a portfolio of global FMCG brands, bringing innovative thinking to the table to activate your clients’ brands. You’ll be accomplished in leading day-to-day client relationships, working with them to solve problems across the consumer’s path to purchase.

You will have previously worked at a strategic agency supporting consumer brands, with plenty of shopper marketing and campaign management experience. Your client portfolio of brands will have both a national and global footprint where you’ll be delivering annual revenues in excess of c. £500k.

This role demands drive and pace, with the ability to make quick, smart decisions. You will have a thirst for exploring ‘next gen’ and “new ways” of doing things, keeping abreast of the latest insights and consumer trends and understanding how brands engage with customers cross-channel. In addition, you’ll be a natural at leading conversations, and identifying new opportunities that stretch the scope of work and ultimately delivering organic growth.

The role in detail

• Delivering strategic direction to your clients and the internal team across a portfolio of fmcg clients demonstrating creativity, intellect and effectiveness to problem solving.
• Effectively leading the delivery of projects, ensuring that work is delivered both personally and by the team on time and on budget. You’ll maintain overall accountability of the financial success of the project, whilst delegating responsibility to your team for the accuracy and completion of financial tracking.
• Working at pace to efficiently deliver the client’s challenges making well interrogated decisions, whilst effectively engaging and communicating with all stakeholders to maintain momentum.
• Leading briefing sessions with the client to own the challenges and scope of the work, ensuring correct resources are aligned and appropriate budgets are in place to achieve a profitable outcome.
• Facilitating regular client team meetings to review work, financials, accurate forecasting and resourcing.
• Working alongside colleagues in Design, Creative and Strategy to introduce well thought out innovative and authentic solutions, assets, insight and thinking to your clients, underpinned by an awareness of new trends.
• Creating thought provoking and highly creative materials including presentation decks.
• Working with the Group Account Director to identify and drive opportunities to grow business from within your brand portfolio.
• Contribute towards new business activities, taking a role in the delivery of new business pitches and presentations and building compelling decks with a clear strategic narrative.
• Actively supporting and coaching more junior members of the team, providing opportunities for them to learn and advance their career.
• Act as Manager to your direct reports. You’ll be practiced in identifying gaps in skills and resources and putting together a plan to address and have the ability to move effortlessly between the role of coach and mentor.

Skills and experience we’re looking for

• Currently hold the position of Account Director or 3+ years’ experience as a Senior Account Manager in a strategic agency.
• Proven experience working within shopper marketing, specifically across campaigns and promotions.
• Innovative with an entrepreneurial spirt, with the ability to turn ideas into action.
• Excellent writing skills and creative eloquence.
• First class communicator who can comfortably negotiate and challenge.
• Strong financial management and commercial acumen.
• A great coach and mentor, and an involved team manager

How we will reward you

• Competitive Salary (DOE)
• Hybrid working
• 38 days holiday (incl. Bank Holidays and Christmas close)
• Contributory pension scheme
• Annual company bonus scheme
• Private Medical Insurance
• Life Assurance
• Continuous learning and development
• Enhanced parental benefits