At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead client accounts, ensuring top-notch media planning and strategic execution.
- Company: Join Starcom, a global leader in communications and media with a people-first approach.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, reflection days, and fantastic local discounts.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive culture recognised as one of the best places to work.
- Why this job: Make an impact by driving innovative media strategies for top brands.
- Qualifications: Experience in media planning and strong client leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
With a history that dates back over 80 years, Starcom is 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.
The Account Director (AD) is responsible for leading the day-to-day operations of client accounts, ensuring high standards are achieved in media planning, client management, and strategic execution. ADs move beyond campaign-level thinking to take a broader view of the client’s overall business and agency relationship, focusing on delivering industry-leading work and fostering high-performing teams.
Responsibilities
- Client Leadership & Relationship Management – Act as a trusted advisor to mid-to-senior level clients, leading conversations with confidence, anticipating challenges, and providing proactive, solutions-focused guidance.
- Strategic Planning Leadership – Lead the end-to-end planning process, ensuring all work is insight-led, strategically grounded, and delivers full-funnel media recommendations aligned to business objectives.
- Insight & Audience Development – Generate actionable audience and performance insights using data sources and reporting to shape planning direction and identify growth opportunities.
- Commercial & Financial Accountability – Maintain financial accuracy across accounts, support forecasting and growth plans, ensure contract compliance, and identify revenue opportunities.
- Storytelling & Communication Excellence – Translate media strategy into compelling narratives, delivering clear, confident presentations and written outputs.
- Channel & Media Expertise – Demonstrate strong cross-channel knowledge (digital and traditional), applying media theory, measurement frameworks, and performance tracking to drive outcomes.
- Quality Control & Governance – Ensure high standards of output, catching errors, maintaining compliance, and protecting revenue.
- Team Leadership & Development – Lead and inspire the immediate team, set clear direction, foster a high-performance culture, and support the growth of junior team members.
- Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement – Review and refine ways of working, champion best practices, and drive adoption of planning frameworks and tools.
Qualifications
- Proven experience leading end-to-end, full-funnel media planning.
- Strong client leadership skills, with the ability to build trusted senior relationships.
- Strategic and insight-driven thinker, confident turning data into clear planning direction.
- Excellent storytelling and presentation skills.
- Broad cross-channel media expertise (digital and traditional), including measurement and performance frameworks.
- Commercially astute, with experience managing budgets, forecasting, and compliance.
- Strong team leadership capability, driving quality, accountability, and development.
- Proactive, solutions-focused mindset with a track record of identifying growth opportunities.
Additional information
Starcom has fantastic benefits on offer to all of our employees. In addition to the classics, Pension, Life Assurance, Private Medical and Income Protection Plans we also offer:
- WORK YOUR WORLD opportunity 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 BENEFITS 24/7 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 POLICIES We 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 OFF You are entitled to an additional day off for your birthday, from your first day of employment.
- GREAT LOCAL DISCOUNTS This includes membership discounts with Soho Friends, local restaurants and retailers in Westfield White City and Television Centre.
Full details of our benefits 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.
Account Director (12-month FTC) in London employer: Starcom Melbourne
Starcom Melbourne is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work environment in Greater London, where employees are encouraged to thrive both personally and professionally. With a strong focus on employee well-being, the company offers competitive benefits such as pension and life assurance, alongside ample opportunities for growth within the dynamic field of FMCG brand campaigns. Join a team that prioritises empathy and responsibility, making it a truly rewarding place to build your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Account Director (12-month FTC) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections on LinkedIn or at industry events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that Account Director role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by practising your storytelling skills. We want to hear how you’ve turned data into actionable insights and led successful campaigns. Make sure you can share specific examples that showcase your expertise!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to research the company culture! Starcom values people at the centre of everything, so show us how you align with that ethos. Bring your passion for team leadership and client relationships to the forefront during your discussions.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s make that brave play together!
We think you need these skills to ace Account Director (12-month FTC) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Account Director role. Highlight your experience in media planning and client leadership, and show us how you can bring value to our team at Starcom.
Showcase Your Storytelling Skills:Since storytelling is key in this role, use your application to demonstrate your ability to translate complex ideas into clear narratives. We want to see how you can communicate effectively, both in writing and verbally.
Be Data-Driven:We love a strategic thinker! Use your application to showcase how you've turned data into actionable insights in past roles. This will help us see your insight-driven approach to media planning.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves.
How to prepare for a job interview at Starcom Melbourne
✨Know Your Clients
Before the interview, research Starcom's key clients and their industries. Understand their business objectives and how media planning can impact their success. This will help you speak confidently about how you can lead client relationships and provide strategic insights.
✨Showcase Your Storytelling Skills
Prepare to discuss your experience in translating complex media strategies into compelling narratives. Bring examples of past presentations or reports that highlight your storytelling abilities, as this is crucial for the Account Director role.
✨Demonstrate Data Savvy
Be ready to talk about how you've used data to drive media planning decisions in the past. Highlight specific tools or methodologies you've employed to generate actionable insights, as this aligns with the insight-driven approach Starcom values.
✨Emphasise Team Leadership
Think of examples where you've successfully led a team or mentored junior members. Discuss how you foster a high-performance culture and support team development, as strong leadership is key for the Account Director position.
