We Are Collider - Account Director (FMCG, Retail - Events)

Location: London - Hybrid

We Are Collider, part of the Strata Group, is a global experiential agency that builds brand activations designed to act as powerful content engines. Powered by behavioural science, every touchpoint is optimised for human engagement and digital amplification. We specialise in brand activations, experiential, events and share-worthy content in live, digital and virtual spaces.

Job Role

As an Account Director you will be an ‘enabler’ within the business; playing a pivotal role in helping the Company achieve its business objectives and growth targets. Responsible for managing, retaining and developing existing accounts through effective team management and excellent client servicing standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Enabling successful delivery of client services for the business
• Ensuring client service processes are best in class and follow the We Are Collider process document and principles across Collaboration, Communication and Clarity
• Client Servicing Standards and Service Level Agreements agreed with all clients and adhered to
• Ensuring all client projects are delivered to an agreed timescale, budget and standard with client satisfaction as a key measurable
• Ensuring any service delivery issues are communicated quickly with resolutions proactively identified and executed quickly and professionally
• Developing client retention and development strategies in conjunction with the Business Directors
• Developing direct reports on the client service team
• Developing and actioning Client Development Plans for each account with the Business Directors
• Preparing forecasts for client accounts, monitoring progress against these forecasts, reporting any discrepancies or changes and doing everything possible to ensure these forecasts are achieved
• Producing proactive proposals for clients
• Identifying and maximising new business opportunities with existing clients, ensuring all areas of the account have been fully exploited through cross-selling opportunities
• Ensuring regular reviews take place with each client to obtain strategic insight so that opportunities for growth can be explored
• Understand the client’s business and monitoring trends within the client’s sector
• Fully understand our connected brand experience offering and our proposition around ‘inspiring brand interactions’
• Ensure all briefs are considered through this lens and are aligned to the We Are Collider model and approach
• Ensuring agency loyalty is generated with each client through a planned contact approach, developing relationships at a senior level where appropriate through socialising and networking

Project Management

• Overseeing and managing all key project management stages
• Establishing the Project Team and ensuring all stakeholders have full understanding of their roles and responsibilities and are accountable for their deliverables
• Working with the Strategy and Creative team to define the strategic solution to client briefs and ensuring the solution answers the brief, meets the criteria, is delivered on time and on budget
• Managing the creative resource, ensuring that projects are running efficiently and, when additional resources are required, these are available and planned accordingly (freelance included)
• Providing strategic direction and operational management in the development of the solution
• Providing overall leadership of project team in delivering solutions through strategy, creative, production and delivery
• Ensuring there is a clear, up to date Project Plan with tasks and timings for all stakeholders
• Providing ongoing client liaison and support (both at operational and strategic level)
• Ensuring all project documents are filed on server as per agreed structure
• General trafficking of projects through internal teams
• Sign-off key project stages with team and client
• Ensure quality control processes are adhered to at all times
• Ensure project objectives are achieved and ROI is secure
• Scheduling and leading project Status Meetings when appropriate
• Writing up and distributing contact reports from client meetings
• Reviewing the success of client projects and ensuring internal and client de-briefs are carried out in a timely manner after project end
• Obtaining positive PR for clients and We Are Collider, wherever possible – and producing necessary case studies, blogs etc. for use on social channels

Financial Management

• Ensuring a high level of understanding of all financial systems and processes for the profitable delivery of projects
• Producing estimates/budgets for projects and maximising and maintaining profitability through effective cost control
• Ensuring the client is aware of payment terms and timescales and a PO is obtained (or written agreement to start work) by the client (and that these are saved on the server and Paprika)
• Fully reconcile budgets at project end and monitor budgets throughout the project
• Ensuring that Client approval is obtained should the project brief alter in any way and incur additional costs (ideally before additional work begins)
• Monitor internal costs/time throughout the life of projects ensuring overspend/burn is picked up before it becomes an issue
• Producing forecasts (both for new business and existing clients), communicating these to the Financial Controller on a regular basis, and doing everything possible to ensure these forecasts are achieved
• Ensuring Financial Controller and Business Directors are kept informed of any significant changes to the profit margin
• Ensuring budgets are input to Paprika accurately for effective cost management
• Ensuring Purchase Orders are raised for any items or services purchased on behalf of the Company
• Ensure internal staff keep up to date Timesheet entries

Staff Management

• Provide guidance and leadership to direct reports to ensure their talent is nurtured and they are motivated and able to grow and progress
• Undertake thorough and timely Performance Reviews for direct reports with clear and tangible objectives and goals that are regularly monitored
• Monitor the workflow and capacity of direct reports to ensure they are hitting maximum utilisation and billable hours

New Business & Client Development

• Supporting the CEO and Managing Director with the new business strategy, as appropriate
• Playing a significant role in securing new business and developing client accounts by demonstrating a good understanding of the client’s business, performance, products, sector, marketplace, competitors and client’s business objectives
• Providing strategic insight, direction and content for new business pitches where appropriate
• Attending new business meetings and pitches, as appropriate
• Monitoring and exploring trends within the creative brand experience sector which will enhance the company’s offering and help secure/deliver future client projects
• Maximising client loyalty by delivering imaginative solutions on time and within allocated parameters
• Ensuring all areas of the account have been fully exploited through cross-selling opportunities
• Continually maintaining and developing technical skills and knowledge through research, attending industry events and training

Metrics

• Client projects delivered on time and within budget
• All projects reconciled on Paprika within 3 weeks of project delivery
• Client projects delivered correctly first time round
• Achievement of target billings by client
• Achievement of agreed gross profit margin on each client project
• Achieving a maximized monthly utilisation rate and accurate weekly timesheet entry in Paprika
• 95% attendance and punctuality rate

Company Values

• Be Curious. Be a sponge, soak up all you can, bask in it and apply it to all that we do.
• Be Awesome. Push yourself every day to be the best that you can. Fail quickly and learn.
• Be Collaborative. We’re a small team and it’s about amigos not egos. We support, learn from, inspire, question and push one another.
• Do The Right Thing. The right thing isn’t always the easiest, the most palatable or the simplest. In fact, it’s often the hardest. But for us, doing the right thing is everything.

Company KPIs

• Achievement of Company’s growth targets through new business/client development
• Monitoring and Achievement of 70% pitch win target
• Achievement of Company gross income target as set annually and reviewed quarterly