Account Director in Essex, Harlow

You might not know it, but every time you go grocery shopping, chances are you are using at least one of HL’s products. HL is a global leader in in-store merchandising and communication, helping customers to create a better shopping experience around the world. Founded in 1954, HL today is present in more than 70 countries and solutions can be found in 350,000 stores, supporting customers to grow sales, inspire shoppers, drive automation, and reduce waste. We have a passion and a strong track record of developing our people within their roles, and through exposure to the different markets and functions across our business.

We’re looking for a commercially driven Account Director to drive new business opportunities across the UK market, as well as lead and grow a portfolio of high-profile brand accounts. This is a strategic, client-facing role focused on developing long-term brand partnerships, identifying growth opportunities, and delivering commercially impactful solutions across brand activations within the retail environment. You’ll play a key role in both nurturing existing relationships and opening new doors, helping shape the next phase of growth for the business.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leading and developing strategic relationships with major brand and FMCG clients, acting as the primary commercial contact
• Driving new business activity through networking, prospecting, referrals, and market opportunities
• Identifying and converting opportunities within existing and prospective accounts to support revenue growth
• Developing and delivering account growth strategies aligned to client objectives and commercial targets
• Building strong partnerships with key stakeholders across brand, marketing, procurement, and retail teams
• Owning commercial performance across accounts, including revenue growth, forecasting, profitability, and margin management
• Leading commercial negotiations, proposals, and contract discussions at senior level
• Collaborating with creative, design, production, and operational teams to deliver innovative brand solutions
• Ensuring best practice across internal processes and CRM management
• Monitoring market trends, competitor activity, and emerging opportunities to support strategic growth
• Supporting pitches, presentations, and business development initiatives to expand the client portfolio
• Acting as a trusted advisor to clients, providing insight-led recommendations and commercially focused solutions

Who are you?

We employ people from all walks of life and with a wide range of work experiences. To succeed in this role, we are looking for the following skills and experience:

• Proven experience in Business Development and Account Management within brand environments, retail marketing, POS, shop-fit, experiential, or related sectors
• Strong track record of developing client relationships and delivering commercial growth
• Experience managing or growing high-value brand or FMCG accounts
• Commercially astute with experience managing revenue targets, forecasting, and profitability
• Confident communicator with strong presentation, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills
• Proactive and opportunity-focused mindset with the ability to identify and convert new business opportunities
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on account leadership
• Comfortable working cross-functionally in fast-paced, client-led environments
• Existing network or experience within brand, retail, or FMCG sectors advantageous

What We Offer:

• Work in a business with global scale – where people are empowered to make decisions locally.
• Grow with a company which has big ambitions – both for the business and our employees.
• Help us improve the shopping experience and drive sustainability in retail.
• Competitive salary and benefits and a collaborative and supportive work environment.

Want to know a little more about us? HL Display has its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden. We have sales offices in 23 countries, covering 39 markets, and distribution partners covering the remaining markets globally. Our production facilities are located in Sweden, Poland, UK, Germany, Canada and China and handle a variety of industrial processes, including plastics and metal fabrication, printing and assembly. Our three key customer segments are retail food, branded goods suppliers and non-food retail. We are deeply committed to our behaviours: taking ownership; acting with speed; and working as one team. With these values, and our great people, we are proud to be on track to delivering on our ambitious growth plans. The company has 1,500 employees and net sales of 3 MSEK. HL is a wholly owned subsidiary of the listed Swedish Business Group Ratos.