Account Director

Company Description

Talan (part of the Talan Group) is an expert provider of professional services. Our vision and mission is to take positive action in a complex world for the future good of people and the environment and to enlighten and enable our clients’ transformation in an increasingly complex world. We are purpose-driven, working across multiple sectors, tackling social and environmental challenges, improving and simplifying the way markets work, harnessing the power of digital transformation and ensuring data is protected and used ethically. Talan provides a range of consultancy and outsourcing capabilities including programme management, market design and governance. We also have extensive and award-winning capabilities across cyber security, data privacy and digital transformation. We are Great Place to Work accredited.

The nature of what we do means we are very much a people business. The contribution every member of the team makes to our diverse range of experience, skills and personalities is valued. We invest heavily in learning and development to enable our people to develop skills and gain experience which will enhance career prospects for life. Many who started their careers with us have rapidly progressed to more senior positions. No two days are the same, but we believe in a flexible approach to working which we know our employees value.

The Role

The Senior Strategic Account Manager supports the successful delivery of marketing programmes by coordinating cross‑functional teams, managing client relationships, and ensuring work is delivered efficiently, on time, and to a high standard. They apply strong marketing know‑how, agile delivery principles, and effective communication skills to help drive measurable outcomes for clients and the business. This role focuses on the day‑to‑day management of accounts, prioritisation of work, and ensuring delivery teams are supported to meet agreed objectives and optimised in alignment with customer needs and commercial goals.

Responsibilities

• Delivery Leadership & Operational Management
  • Define marketing strategies, success metrics, KPIs, and measurable outcomes.
  • Oversee the planning, coordination, and delivery of marketing initiatives.
  • Translate client requirements into clear briefs, delivery plans, and priorities.
  • Track progress, risks, and dependencies across marketing squads.
  • Use insights and analytics to support optimisation of campaigns and activities.
  • Ensure delivery aligns with agreed KPIs, timelines, and quality standards.
  • Maintain clear documentation, reporting, and delivery governance.
  • Support proposal development and new opportunity shaping with a strategic lens.
  • Monitor project utilisation and support efficient delivery, escalating profitability or resourcing concerns as needed.
• Client Relationship & Account Management
  • Lead and manage key client accounts, ensuring satisfaction, growth, and delivery excellence.
  • Manage day‑to‑day client relationships, ensuring a responsive and solutions‑focused service.
  • Understand client needs and support the shaping of delivery plans that meet those needs.
  • Provide regular updates, reporting, and insight to clients and internal stakeholders.
  • Work closely with clients to uncover business needs, shape programmes, and deliver measurable value.
  • Identify and pursue opportunities to expand client accounts and win new business.
  • Influence senior stakeholders through clear communication and evidence‑based insight.
• Operational Excellence
  • Oversee end-to-end delivery of marketing initiatives from ideation to optimisation.
  • Define and track KPIs, OKRs, performance metrics, and campaign ROI.
  • Use insights, analytics, and testing to optimise performance and inform decisions.
  • Manage dependencies, risks, and resources across squads.
  • Align agile marketing delivery with organisational priorities, governance, and customer journeys.
• Stakeholder Management
  • Translate complex needs into clear deliverables and roadmaps.
  • Facilitate workshops, stakeholder alignment, and planning sessions as required.
  • Act as the single point of accountability during delivery.
  • Role model an agile mindset, adaptability, and iterative ways of working.
• Team Coordination & Ways of Working
  • Coordinate cross‑functional squads to ensure smooth delivery.
  • Support agile ceremonies, team planning, and continuous improvement.
  • Foster collaboration, clarity, and shared accountability within the team.
  • Promote consistent ways of working and help embed agile marketing practices.
• People Support & Development
  • Provide day‑to‑day guidance to team members.
  • Support skill development by sharing knowledge and encouraging best practice.
  • Role model professionalism, collaboration, and positive working behaviours.
  • Contribute feedback to support individual development where appropriate.
  • Coach teams in agile practices, continuous improvement, and collaboration.
• Culture, Behaviour & Collaboration
  • Promote a positive, inclusive, and collaborative team culture.
  • Role model professional communication, proactive problem‑solving, and resilience under pressure.
  • Uphold company values and contribute to cross-team coordination.
  • Work closely with product, sales, and strategy colleagues to ensure alignment across key activities.

Qualifications Requirement

• 10 years + proven experience managing day‑to‑day client relationships within a marketing, digital, consulting, or agency environment.
• Strong background in B2B marketing, with particular focus on the Media and Publishing industry.
• Experience coordinating cross‑functional teams to deliver marketing or customer‑focused programmes.
• Strong background in delivery management, including planning, scheduling, risk tracking, and progress reporting.
• Hands‑on experience working in agile or iterative delivery environments, supporting ceremonies and ways of working.
• Ability to translate client needs into clear briefs, plans, and priorities for internal teams.
• Competence using marketing performance data and analytics to support decision‑making and optimisation.
• Experience preparing client updates, reports, and documentation with clarity and accuracy.
• Exposure to account growth or identifying incremental opportunities.
• Experience facilitating workshops, planning sessions, or stakeholder alignment discussions.
• Understanding of agile marketing, customer journeys, and performance optimisation processes.

Behavioural/Soft Skills

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to adapt messages for different audiences.
• High level of organisation and attention to detail.
• Comfortable working in fast‑paced, multi‑tasking environments.
• Collaborative approach with the confidence to escalate risks early.
• Proactive, solutions‑focused mindset aligned to client and delivery needs.

Additional Information

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion commitments: Our commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth. As a socially responsible leader, Talan continually invests in sustainable growth, addressing both social and environmental challenges. We achieve this while preserving our core values and ensuring operational excellence for our clients. This commitment to excellence extends across all aspects of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

For the past three years, through our 360° approach to social and environmental responsibility, we have been driving significant change and strengthening these principles within our corporate DNA. The solid foundations we've been building since 2021 are enabling our organisation to transform in a sustainable and positive manner.

Disability Inclusion: We recognise that the diversity of legislative and cultural frameworks for supporting individuals with disabilities requires the implementation of specific policies and a unique approach in each country where the Group operates. Talan is committed to strengthening its involvement in promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities by implementing dedicated support systems and raising awareness among our teams on these issues.

WHAT WE OFFER

• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays.
• Reward and recognition schemes.
• Flexible working.
• Private Bupa healthcare (subsidised).
• Life Assurance (up to 4 times annual salary).
• Matched pension contributions.
• Season Ticket Loan.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Buy and Sell annual leave.
• Reimbursement of eye test and up to £50 towards glasses or contacts.
• Corporate gym rates.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Summer and Christmas parties, along with monthly Social@77.