Account Director

VML South Africa; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - GBP 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading creative agency in Greater London is seeking an experienced Account Director to manage client accounts and lead a team. This role focuses on client satisfaction, business development, and ensuring successful project delivery. Candidates should have a scientific degree, at least 6 years of industry experience, and strong leadership skills. The position offers a hybrid work model, fostering collaboration and creativity in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 6+ years' experience in the industry.
• Proven experience in a leadership role.
• Familiarity with e-commerce and online advertising.

Responsibilities

• Manage account ownership focusing on client satisfaction, business development, and profitability.
• Build and maintain senior-level client relationships.
• Lead and manage the team to ensure successful project delivery.

Skills

Fluent in English

Proficiency in MS Office Tools (Excel, PowerPoint)

Excellent presentation skills

Excellent organizational skills

Education

Scientific Degree with Marketing/Economics specialization

Tools

CRM tools

Job description

# Account DirectorWhen 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 . California residents should read our . 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.# Account Director#### **Brand:** VML Health#### **Department:** Medical Communications#### **Expertise:** Health#### **Location:** London, United Kingdom#### **Last Updated:** 2/2/2026#### **Requisition ID:** 12514### **About VML**VML is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected brands to drive growth. VML is celebrated for its innovative and human first, award-winning work for blue chip client partners including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendy's. The agency is recognized by the Forrester Wave Reports, as a Leader among Marketing Creative and Content Service Providers, Commerce Services, Global Digital Experience Services, Global Marketing Services and, most recently, Marketing Measurement & Optimization. In addition, VML’s specialist health network, VML Health, is one of the world’s largest and most awarded health agencies. VML’s global network is powered by 26,000 talented people across 55+ markets, with principal offices in Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney.VML is a WPP agency (NYSE: WPP). For more information,please visit , andfollowalong on ,, and.**The Role:**The Account Director manages account ownership, focusing on client satisfaction, business development, profitability, and staff performance. The Account Director is responsible for all areas of client delivery and the overall health of the relationship; therefore, they must ensure that clients receive the highest level of individual attention and that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and on brief so that all of the client's strategic brand objectives are met. Leading all aspects of the team's work, the Account Director plans critical strategic communications, ensuring contextual appropriateness, exceptional creative work, innovation, and industry quality across all campaigns.The Account Director also seeks new organic business opportunities with existing clients, building relationships across the client organization and with key industry partners. Finally, the AD is responsible for guiding and inspiring the team in their professional and personal development, including a mentoring approach with more Junior team members.**Responsibilities:** Responsible for the development of long-term account success and growth. Works with Strategy and planning to transform knowledge of client business objectives, internal and competitive opportunities, and customer insights into actionable marketing communications strategies and tactics. Leads and manages the team Builds and maintains senior-level client relationships. Provides team with direction and input to meet business and project goals. Mining new business opportunities. Responsible for the development of direct reports. Maintains leading-edge knowledge of client’s businesses and industries. Recognizes and seizes opportunities to contribute to the agency's new business. Regularly informs Group Director Client Engagement on the status of the business, including escalation as needed. Able to present, sell, and (if needed) defend/restate the agency proposals (client expectation request and what we have done is correct). Takes responsibility for co-developing the project brief: does not take a brief at face value but checks that it is aligned with the client's objectives, regulations, standards, and approval history. Is a team leader: manages and grows the account manager and account executive (skills, motivation), delegates the tasks appropriately, and assigns priorities. Has a good relationship with all departments in the agency and involves different disciplines at the right time. Works for the Agency: ensures agency profitability on the assigned business by considering the financial viability of projects and the overall business (includes the ability to communicate the use of resources to clients and internal financial reporting). Understands how to work with client suppliers and maintain agency supremacy.**Education and Experience:** Scientific Degree completed with Marketing/Economics specialization. 6+ years' experience in the industry. Proven experience in a leadership role.**Skills:** Fluent in English. Proficiency in MS Office Tools, especially Excel and PowerPoint. Knowledge of CRM tools is considered a plus. Familiarity with e-commerce and online advertising. Ability to create creative briefs, deliver clear and persuasive briefs to creative teams, and remain an active collaborator throughout the creative development process. Understanding paid search campaigns, key online campaigns, and emerging media. Excellent presentation skills and presentation development. Excellent organizational skills. Very comfortable working in an integrated agency environment#LI-HybridWe 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 our . California residents should read our . 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.