Account Director - 13 Month Mat Cover FTC

<div class="content-intro"><p class="ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing"><strong>About WPP Production</strong></p> <p class="ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing">We are WPP Production - the unified global production company that brings together all of WPP's content producers, studios and craft experts into one connected organisation. We combine world-class human craft with next generation technology to originate, design, and deliver multi-channel content systems at scale. Built for borderless collaboration and powered by deep craft expertise, we are the production engine designed for today's always on, AI driven marketing world.</p> <p><strong>About WPP</strong></p> <p>WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite&nbsp;cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel&nbsp;in a single company –&nbsp;powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open,&nbsp;to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://wpp.com/__;!!JboVxjCXSME!N9KGoZIn5nCC-uOWhEdE-ChrrJuf6TgkLzNNkLaW9BExJsVqZZ_hMSmGbARJ0tdBOnKYM7kEbv5L3ncUpg7-6uEPNdY$" data-outlook-id="6ded86b6-cde3-4e48-958d-34727f881edd">WPP.com</a>.</p></div><p><strong>A Hybrid working model</strong></p> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <p class="xmsonormal"><em>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 around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.</em></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2>The Role</h2> <p>Please note this is a Mat Civer- 13 months FTC contract</p> <p>Our Account Director (AD) is a knowledgeable and trusted Client lead, accountable for end-to-end project delivery, management of client and agency relationships, and leadership of a diverse and dynamic team,<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>including direct line management responsibility for one or more Account Managers/Executives, supporting their growth and development. Responsible for operational discipline, delivery, resource optimisation and profitability management across Clients and projects, the AD is the key point person for the projects they lead — accountable for delivering on time, on specification and on budget, with particular fluency in<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>print and digital production at scale, luxury and premium brand standards, and moving image/content production.</p> <p>You are<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>calm, collected and steady under pressure&nbsp;— a safe pair of hands who brings order and confidence to high-volume, fast-moving production environments. You are not a creative by background, but you are fluent enough in creative process and language to hold your own in conversation with creative partners, challenge and support their thinking from a production lens, and be seen by both client and agency as<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>the production expert in the room. You possess strong problem-solving skills, a passion for production, marketing and advertising, and a desire to learn. Highly organised and accountable, you build trusting Client and team relationships, collaborate across multi-disciplined teams, and draw on the expertise of WPP Production's resources and capabilities to ensure we execute flawlessly, at scale, and to the elevated standards luxury and premium clients expect.</p> <h2>Key Areas of Responsibility</h2> <h3>Communication</h3> <ul> <li>Responsible for managing the day-to-day client relationship with a focus on Client delivery</li> <li>Oversee the on-time delivery of high-volume<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>print and digital&nbsp;projects and ensure smooth delivery and swift resolution of issues to maintain client confidence in WPP Production's capabilities</li> <li>The key day-to-day Client Delivery contact with clients, agencies and all associated WPP Production teams — recognised by both sides as the<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>go-to production authority</li> <li>Deep understanding of the client's brand, category and audience — including luxury/premium sensitivities around brand tone, positioning and exclusivity — to deliver high satisfaction levels; share feedback with wider team and escalate delivery concerns to Senior Account Director / Client Director</li> <li>Act as the primary client contact for project delivery, structuring regular status and communications with clients, defining scope and approach, setting and managing expectations and deliverables, and troubleshooting issues calmly and confidently as they arise</li> <li>Work with client brands, creative and agency partners to ensure a clear understanding of the production brief, deliverables and timeline for each project across print, digital and moving image, and relay those details to the team as necessary</li> <li>Confidently engage in discussions around creative concepts and direction with agency/creative partners&nbsp;— not to direct the creative, but to represent production feasibility, timing, budget and scale considerations credibly and constructively</li> <li>Accountable for ensuring all team members are aware of timelines and deliverables</li> </ul> <h3>Collaboration</h3> <ul> <li>Partner with Client Services, Production and Finance to ensure a smooth process, proper resource allocation and superior results</li> <li>Directly manage, mentor and develop a team member(s), setting clear objectives, providing regular feedback, and fostering a culture of ownership and accountability</li> <li>Develop and maintain high levels of team effectiveness, trust, communication, collaboration, productivity, diversity and engagement</li> <li>Demonstrate strong collaboration skills with internal agency teams (including creative teams — Art Directors, Designers, Copywriters) and key external partners to ensure quality and adherence to production and brand guidelines for key deliverables</li> <li>Act as a trusted production sounding board to external creative and account teams, balancing creative ambition with production feasibility, timelines, budget and scale</li> </ul> <h3>Process</h3> <ul> <li>Manage medium-to-complex projects independently and with a team, from initiation through to completion, across<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>print, digital and moving image&nbsp;production</li> <li>Bring proven experience of<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>managing production at scale&nbsp;— high volumes of assets, multiple markets/formats, and complex versioning/adaptation requirements — with calm, methodical oversight</li> <li>Work collaboratively with all internal team members to facilitate the development of effective strateg