Account Director

A Hybrid working model

What does an Account Director do at WPP Production?

The role

Our Account Director (AD) are knowledgeable and trusted Client leads.  Accountable for end-to-end project delivery, management of client and agency relationships, they lead a diverse and dynamic team to deliver. Responsible for operational discipline, delivery, resource optimisation and profitability management across Clients and projects. You are the key point person for the projects you are leading and are responsible for delivering on time, on specification and on budget.

You possess problem-solving skills, have 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 Hogarth's resources and capabilities. You are ensure we execute flawlessly.

Key areas of responsibility

Communication

• Responsible for managing the day to day client relationship with a focus on Client delivery
• Oversee the on-time delivery of projects and ensure the smooth delivery and swift resolution of issues to maintain client confidence in WPP capabilities to deliver
• The key day-to-day Client Delivery contact with clients, agencies and all associated WPP Production teams
• Understanding of client's needs to deliver high satisfaction levels and share feedback with wider team and escalate any delivery concerns to Senior Account Director / Client Director
• 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 as they arise
• Work with client brands and agencies to ensure a clear understanding of the production brief, deliverables and timeline for each project and relay those details to other members of the team as necessary
• Accountable for ensuring all team members are aware of timelines and deliverables

Collaboration

• Partner with Client Services, Production and Finance to ensure a smooth process, proper resource allocation and a superior result
• Develop and maintain high levels of team effectiveness, trust, communication, collaboration, productivity, diversity, engagement and ensure the team feel personal accountability for deliverables and projects
• Demonstrate strong collaboration skills with internal agency teams and key external partners to ensure quality and adherence to production guidelines for key deliverables

Process

• Manage medium to complex projects independently and with a team, from initiation through to completion
• Work collaboratively with all internal team members to facilitate the process of developing effective strategies and briefs that lead to great work
• Understand and anticipate client needs, taking them into account when framing and making delivery decisions
• Possess an understanding of project and client management techniques and bring process innovation to how we manage our engagements
• Manage client objectives, budget, expectations, deliverables and timelines and communicate changes/direction to team members
• Keep projects on track through clear team status, task lists, timing schedules, risk register, trackers, status and contact reports
• Participate actively and knowledgeably articulate status internally and during client interactions
• Leverage our on-site, onshore, offshore network to deliver great work in the most efficient and effective way
• Identify improvements to existing workflow and processes
• Identify potential project risks and develop contingency plans and if needed, escalate to Senior Account Director / Client Director
• Review team structure and resources on an ongoing basis to ensure client is serviced appropriately
• Ensure the highest quality is always delivered to clients

Leadership

• Create a culture of fresh-thinking, collaboration, respect, equality, diversity and inclusion, with a focus on learning, development and growth
• Contribute to WPP Productions culture by exhibiting ownership, professionalism, passion and leading by example
• Take ownership and find solutions, whilst supporting the wider team by removing any barriers to success
• Retain the best talent

Financials

• Demonstrate strong commercial abilities and business and financial acumen
• Own project budgets and tracking of all ongoing costs throughout project lifecycle, reconcile estimates to actuals on all projects, and resolution of budget discrepancies between disciplines, vendors and clients
• Manage POs, financial reporting, tracking, billing against all project budgets
• Manage financial aspects of assigned accounts including development of SOW and change orders, estimates, profitability analysis, and utilisation, working with Finance where appropriate
• Responsible for monthly billing and tracking of all production budgets
• Ensure a thorough understanding of commercial arrangements, and SLA's across assigned accounts and ensure specific details are understood by the broader team
• Protect margins
• Proactively seek and identify new revenue opportunities across your clients

Requirements

• Project / Client management related experience within an interactive or integrated agency, with a good understanding of marketing and production implementation processes across all key channels, including digital, video, content, social etc
• Good understanding of production and the creative development process, content production, technology, quality assura