Account Director – Beauty Communications in London

Modus BPCM is a specialist communications agency with nearly 40 years of experience across fashion, beauty, hospitality, travel, design and culture.

We are known for our creative and innovative approach to communications and our commitment to sustainability.

At Modus BPCM, the primary function we perform for our clients is to raise and extend awareness around a client's brand and products. We do this through our three-stage process:

• Strategy
• planning for success
• Storytelling
• crafting the story
• Community
• getting it out there into the world

Modus BPCM is a specialist communications agency with nearly 40 years of experience across fashion, beauty, hospitality, travel, design and culture.

We are known for our creative and innovative approach to communications and our commitment to sustainability.

At Modus BPCM, the primary function we perform for our clients is to raise and extend awareness around a client's brand and products. We do this through our three-stage process:

• Strategy
• planning for success
• Storytelling
• crafting the story
• Community
• getting it out there into the world

Role Overview

As Account Director – Beauty Communications, you will play a senior role within the Beauty team, overseeing the day-to-day management and delivery of integrated communications across a portfolio of premium and luxury beauty and wellness clients.

Acting as a trusted advisor to clients, you will provide strategic counsel, ensure best-in-class service delivery and identify opportunities for growth through innovative storytelling, brand positioning, partnerships and cultural relevance.

You will lead the day-to-day management of client accounts and the team, working across earned media, influencer marketing, partnerships, events and brand communications to ensure activity supports wider business objectives and delivers measurable impact.

Working closely with the Associate Director, Beauty, you will be responsible for maintaining strong client relationships, developing talent within the team and contributing to organic account development and new business opportunities.

This role requires a strong understanding of the beauty and wellness landscape, excellent leadership capabilities and a proven track record of delivering integrated communications for premium and luxury brands.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Client Services
• Act as the primary senior contact for day-to-day client business, providing confident counsel and maintaining strong, trusted relationships.
• Lead the development and delivery of integrated communications strategies aligned with clients’ commercial and brand objectives.
• Translate strategies into clear account plans, priorities, responsibilities and measurable KPIs.
• Guide brand positioning and narrative development, identifying relevant product stories, expert commentary, cultural insights and campaign opportunities across beauty and wellness.
• Lead client meetings, campaign planning sessions and account reviews, ensuring clear recommendations, decisions and follow-through.
• Oversee reporting that evaluates performance against agreed objectives and provides actionable insights and recommendations.
• Anticipate client needs, manage expectations and address service or delivery concerns promptly.
• Team Leadership & Development
• Take responsibility for the day-to-day management, mentoring and development of Account Managers and Executives.
• Lead weekly team meetings and account planning, setting priorities and delegating work with clear ownership and deadlines.
• Manage regular check-ins, appraisals and development plans, with support from the Associate Director and senior leadership.
• Provide constructive feedback and practical coaching to strengthen strategic thinking, media relations, client management and delivery.
• Address performance concerns promptly and fairly, seeking senior or HR support where appropriate.
• Create a collaborative team culture with clear expectations, shared accountability and consistent standards.
• Operational Management & Quality Control
• Own the day-to-day running of Beauty accounts, ensuring effective planning, coordination and delivery across the portfolio.
• Take responsibility for the quality and accuracy of client-facing work, ensuring presentations, proposals, media lists, written materials and reports meet the brief and agreed standards before submission.
• Lead the planning and delivery of product launches, press previews, media experiences, events and client activations.
• Own day-to-day resource planning, balancing workloads and reallocating work as priorities change.
• Plan cover around working patterns, annual leave and unexpected absence, ensuring clear handovers and continuity of client service.
• Anticipate delivery risks and resolve operational challenges, escalating significant issues with clear recommendations and proposed solutions.
• Lead new client onboarding in partnership with the Associate Director, establishing clear plans, responsibilities and ways of working.
• Maintain consistent account processes, documentation and reporting.
• Commercial & Financial Management
• Manage account and campaign budgets, monitoring expenditure and ensuring activity is delivered within agreed parameters.
• Monitor team time, account profitability and delivery against agreed scopes of work.
• Identify overservicing and scope changes early, agreeing revised priorities, timelines or additional fees with clients in consultation with the Associate Director.
• Manage supplier briefs, quotations and costs, ensuring quality and value.
• Support accurate financial forecasting, invoicing and account reviews in partnership with the finance team and Associate Director.
• Media, Talent & Industry Relations
• Maintain and grow strong relationships with beauty editors, journalists, broadcasters, creators, industry experts and relevant cultural voices.
• Take an active role in senior media outreach, securing priority coverage and opportunities for clients.
• Ensure consistent, targeted pitching across the team, with relevant media lists, tailored approaches and clear follow-up.
• Collaborate with the Talent & Partnerships team to develop and deliver influencer and KOL strategies aligned with client objectives.
• Lead relevant founder profiling, practitioner positioning, treatment and service storytelling, thought leadership and executive profiling opportunities.
• Apply industry and cultural insights to strengthen client counsel and campaign ideas.
• Product, Asset & Showroom Management
• Oversee product and asset management, ensuring accurate stock records and efficient distribution to media, creators, partners and other stakeholders.
• Ensure showroom and product presentation meet brand standards and support media engagement.
• Oversee editorial requests, shoot support, product placement, gifting and sampling programmes.
• Ensure seeding activity is targeted, coordinated and tracked, with appropriate follow-up and reporting.
• New Business & Agency Growth
• Support the Associate Director and wider senior team with new business development, including research, ideation, proposal writing and pitch participation.
• Identify organic growth opportunities within existing accounts, developing recommendations that strengthen client relationships and expand scopes of work.
• Identify opportunities to introduce relevant wider agency services to beauty and wellness clients.
• Contribute beauty and wellness expertise to pitches across agency specialisms.
• Stay informed about industry developments, emerging brands and communications opportunities.
• Represent the agency at relevant industry events and contribute to thought leadership where appropriate.

Experience & Skills

• Proven experience leading beauty and wellness communications accounts, ideally within an agency and with premium or luxury brands.
• A track record of developing and delivering integrated campaigns with measurable results.
• Strong beauty and wellness media relationships, with evidence of securing meaningful coverage and opportunities.
• Experience managing, mentoring and developing teams.
• Confidence managing budgets, resources, scopes of work and account performance.
• Excellent writing, editing and presentation skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Sound strategic and commercial judgement, with the ability to provide clear, credible client counsel.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise competing demands across multiple accounts.
• Confidence making day-to-day decisions independently, resolving problems and recognising when senior input is needed.
• A collaborative approach and a strong understanding of the beauty, wellness and wider cultural landscape.