Account Director

Account Director

London Full-Time 48000 - 84000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the Samsung media team, driving strategic visions and ensuring smooth daily operations.
  • Company: Starcom is a global leader in communications planning with a focus on people and innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, reflection days, and great local discounts, plus a birthday day off!
  • Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team shaping culture and driving growth for top brands like Samsung.
  • Qualifications: Experience in Comms Planning and Account Management, with strong client relationship skills required.
  • Other info: No degree needed; experience and passion for tech are valued!

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 84000 ÂŁ per year.

Company description

With a history that dates back over 80 years,Starcomis a global communications planning and media leader. We are an agency still grounded in our founding principle that people are at the centre of all we do. Each day, we apply this belief to harness the transformative power of data and technology to inspire and move people and business forward. With more than 7,000 employees in over 100 offices around the world, we are the flagship Publicis Media agency that uses our ‘Power of One’ business model, with teams that span multiple disciplines across clients such as Aldi, P&G, P&O Ferries, Primark, Samsung, Stellantis, and Visa.

We place a huge focus on our People and have driven flagship D&I and L&D programmes within Publicis Media; our goal is to help every individual reach their fullest potential and we encourage everyone to make “Brave Plays” in how they approach their work and their own career development. As a result, we have an exceptionally energised and committed talent base, all of us proud of our welcoming and supportive culture, as evidenced by our recognition as one of Campaign’s Best Places to Work for three years in a row (2021, 2022 and 2023) and most excitingly,Media Week\’s Agency of the Year 2023!

Overview

The Client:

Samsung is a global leader in technology, innovation, and consumer electronics—recognized worldwide for its cutting-edge smartphones, televisions, home appliances, and more. With a commitment to pushing boundaries and enhancing everyday experiences, Samsung continues to redefine what’s possible in a connected world. Supporting this brand means working at the forefront of digital transformation, cultural relevance, and high-impact storytelling.

The Samsung UK Media team are based in London and rely on us (Starcom) to be a genuine extension of their team and a true partner in helping them to deliver transformative growth.

What will you be doing?

As Account Director you will be one of 3 planning and account management leads and primary point of contact for the Samsung media team. You will have responsibility for shaping and driving forward the client and agency’s strategic visions, ensuring that the day to day is running smoothly, but also taking that step up to support your Business Director with additional growth. You will work closely with our internal activation teams to ensure that everything we deliver is driven by insight, is relevant and encompasses innovation, recognizing the individuality of the different brands/fragrances within the portfolio.

This role calls for a dynamic and passionate planning mind along with an unsurpassed attention to detail and media knowledge. You need to be a media expert, demonstrating this by being able to answer most client questions in the room.

Move People

You will have the chance to be a major contributor to shaping the culture of the teams that you work with directly and within the wider agency. Under this goal, you’ll:

  • Be an inspiring leader for the team you work with, both in Planning and the wider team

  • Foster a culture of curiosity, learning and development

  • Set clear progression plans for your team

  • Work collaboratively with all teams

  • Build strong, trusted relationships with key clients, ensuring you’re their first port of call for anything and everything

Move Business

Our goal is to create brilliant experiences that drive faster growth for our clients, and you will work with various teams within the broader Publicis Media organisation (Content, Sports, Data and Commerce Practices) to do so. Under this banner, you’ll be responsible for:

  • Leading high quality day-to-day output of the team and best in class Planning Thinking.

  • Being a subject matter expert in your field and delivering operational excellence across the team

  • Supporting the BD to deliver outstanding work every time

  • Continuously innovating

Qualifications

What are we looking for?

In order to be successful in this role, you’ll have significant experience in a blended Comms Planning and Account Management role, ideally leading a variety of planning projects. In addition to this, we’ll prioritise candidates who have the majority of the below skills and experience:

  • Experience working directly with clients in an agency environment and have proven evidence of developing strong and trusted relationships

  • Tight project leadership and management skills including driving accuracy, organization and collaboration from our team

  • Experience on large scale brand.

  • Unsurpassed attention to detail and media knowledge, in particular planning knowledge.

  • Team management, ensuring all outputs from them are of a high-quality standard

  • Team development, instilling a culture of curiosity, learning, growth and pride

  • Ability to work within and contribute to an integrated agency team across media and data

  • Strong grasp of the communications planning process and an understanding of how to implement a holistic x-channel strategy

  • Experience in (and passion for) the Tech Category would be ideal

Don’t be put off applying if you don’t meet all the criteria – if you meet over half, then this could be the right role for you; just don’t forget to be clear on how you meet these criteria in your application. Equally, we don’t specifically look for people with university degrees; experience and aptitude are much more important to us

Additional information

Starcomhas fantastic benefits on offer to all of our employees. In addition to the classics,Pension,Life Assurance, Private Medical and IncomeProtectionPlanswe also offer;

  • WORK YOUR WORLDopportunity to work anywhere in the world, where there is a Publicis office, for up to 6 weeks a year.
  • REFLECTION DAYS– Two additional days of paid leave to step away from your usual day-to-day work and create time to focus on your well-being and self-care.
  • HELP@HAND BENEFITS24/7 helpline to support you on a personal and professional level.Access to remote GPs, mental health support and CBT.Wellbeing content and lifestyle coaching.
  • FAMILY FRIENDLY POLICIESWe provide 26 weeks of full pay for the following family milestones: Maternity. Adoption, Surrogacy and Shared Parental Leave.
  • FLEXIBLE WORKING, BANK HOLIDAY SWAP&BIRTHDAY DAY OFFYou are entitled to an additional day off for your birthday, from your first day of employment.
  • GREAT LOCAL DISCOUNTSThis includes membership discounts with Soho Friends, local restaurants and retailers in Westfield White City and Television Centre.

Full details of ourbenefits will be shared when you join us!

Publicis Groupe operates a hybrid working pattern with full time employees being office-based three days during the working week.

We are supportive of all candidates and are committed to providing a fair assessment process. If you have any circumstances (such as neurodiversity, physical or mental impairments or a medical condition) that may affect your assessment, please inform your Talent Acquisition Partner. We will discuss possible adjustments to ensure fairness. Rest assured, disclosing this information will not impact your treatment in our process.

Please make sure you check out the Publicis Career Pagewhich showcases our Inclusive Benefits and our EAG’s (Employee Action Groups).

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Account Director employer: Starcom Melbourne

Starcom is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and growth of its employees, offering a vibrant work culture in London. With a strong focus on diversity and inclusion, along with innovative benefits like 'Work Your World' and additional reflection days, we empower our team to thrive both personally and professionally. Join us to be part of a dynamic agency recognised as one of Campaign’s Best Places to Work and Media Week's Agency of the Year 2023, where your contributions will shape the future of communications planning and media.
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Contact Detail:

Starcom Melbourne Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Account Director

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with Samsung's latest products and innovations. Being able to discuss their technology and how it impacts consumer behaviour will show your genuine interest and expertise in the tech category, which is crucial for the Account Director role.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with current or former employees of Starcom or similar agencies. They can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, helping you tailor your approach and demonstrate that you understand what it means to be part of their team.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to showcase your leadership skills during the interview. Think of examples where you've successfully led a team or project, particularly in a fast-paced environment, as this will resonate well with the responsibilities of fostering a culture of curiosity and development.

✨Tip Number 4

Stay updated on industry trends and best practices in communications planning and account management. Being able to discuss recent developments or case studies will position you as a knowledgeable candidate who can contribute to innovative strategies for clients like Samsung.

We think you need these skills to ace Account Director

Client Relationship Management
Strategic Planning
Project Leadership
Media Knowledge
Attention to Detail
Team Management
Cross-Channel Strategy Implementation
Collaboration Skills
Communication Skills
Data-Driven Decision Making
Creative Problem Solving
Adaptability
Passion for Technology
Curiosity and Learning Agility

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Company Culture: Before applying, take some time to understand Starcom's culture and values. Highlight how your personal values align with their focus on people, innovation, and collaboration in your application.

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects your experience in communications planning and account management. Emphasise any relevant projects you've led, particularly those involving client relationships and media knowledge.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the tech category and your understanding of the role. Use specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your ability to lead teams and drive strategic visions.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since the role requires strong leadership, include examples of how you've inspired teams or fostered a culture of learning and development in your previous positions. This will help you stand out as a candidate who can contribute positively to the team.

How to prepare for a job interview at Starcom Melbourne

✨Know Your Client

Before the interview, research Samsung thoroughly. Understand their products, recent campaigns, and market position. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As an Account Director, you'll need to inspire and lead your team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, focusing on fostering a culture of curiosity and development.

✨Demonstrate Media Expertise

Be ready to discuss your media knowledge in detail. Prepare to answer questions about communications planning processes and how you've implemented successful cross-channel strategies in previous roles.

✨Build Rapport with Interviewers

Establishing a connection with your interviewers is crucial. Be personable, ask insightful questions, and show enthusiasm for the role and the company culture. This will help you stand out as a candidate who fits well within their team.

Account Director
Starcom Melbourne
Location: London
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