Account Director

About usWe are an award-winning team of PR pros who are proud to be awarded Best Agency To Work For EMEA Network by Provoke in 2024 as well as shortlisted as Technology Agency of the Year in 2024 for the EMEA Sabre Awards. We are looking to welcome new talent into our team. We bring together a diverse group of people who share a passion for integrated communications and tech and want to tell the world amazing stories about the transformative power of technology.Axicom delivers integrated communication campaigns for the world’s most innovative technology companies. From offices in Amsterdam, Austin, Los Angeles, London, Madrid, Milan, Munich, New York, Paris, San Francisco and Stockholm, and more recently Brazil and Mexico, Axicom designs, builds and delivers ground-breaking and thought-provoking campaigns. We offer our clients analyst and influencer relations, content, digital marketing, media relations, integrated communications, internal communications, and research and insights services.Intelligent WorkingAt Axicom, we work Intelligently. Intelligent Working is our industry leading approach to flexible working. It is an adaptable framework that gives you more freedom every day and the flexibility you need to provide you with balance.As a progressive workplace we welcome and support flexible working and believe that with high trust, we don’t need rules, just principles that we can all agree to.Our Guiding PrinciplesWe Play at WorkWe delight in differences and prize peculiarityWe find fun in the most unexpected placesWe are brave and bold in the face of the unknownWe Push EveryoneOurselves: We take initiative and exceed expectationsOne Another: We are generous with constructive and appreciative feedbackOur Clients: We are challengers and counsellors as well communicatorsWe Win TogetherWe readily ask for help and eagerly offer support.We are clear on our goals and accountable for our results.We are united as one team. Every single success is shared.About youWe look for three values when onboarding talent: Intelligence, Initiative, and Integrity.Our promise to candidatesAt Axicom, Diversity just isn’t a word for us – its power. We recognise what makes us great is the individuality of our teams.As such, we actively welcome applications from individuals and groups who are under-represented and celebrate difference; be it ethnicity, religion, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, or disability. We will only assess candidates on abilities we believe are critical for the role.Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments needed to ensure a level playing field during the recruitment process.The roleAs an Account Director you will have worked with either leading consumer technology clients or large enterprise clients on key campaigns and be eager to direct and oversee communication campaigns, contributing to the overall success of the team and agencyEach client has strong point of views on emerging industry trends and if you’re interested in expanding your experience working on corporate brand building programmes and leading issues-based campaigns, then this is the role for you.Account Directors drive success providing valued counsel to our clients and helping them to see around corners. As a futurist you exhibit creative ingenuity by providing direction for brainstorming sessions and develop ideas you can execute. You look ahead for your clients and will ensure quarterly insights are delivered, with critical thinking on what’s next. You identify opportunities for enhancing the company and readily embrace change.As an Account Director, you will:Strategic Development Carry out senior level client handling with minimum day to day support of the Director or Associate DirectorDevelop and once approved market Axicom products and servicesBe responsible for directing all account activity – focusing on the delivery of sound strategic ideas and the procurement of agreed results/targetsDevelop and demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of your client’s business and marketing objectives, including industry sectors issues, key competitors and broader business objectives and challengesDemonstrate the ability to take a long-term outlook on a campaign and or sector forecasting relevant forecasting challenges/opportunities and communicating a strategic point of viewAttend client meetings and demonstrate an ability to discuss campaign/rand issues or challenges with authority and confidenceTake comprehensive briefs from clients, demonstrating the ability to obtain the appropriate information, identify and understand relevant challenges and develop proposals that can effectively address themTake responsibility for setting and managing the evaluation criteria for each campaign ensuring that optimal results are achieved on behalf of the clientLead the development of annual/campaign PR proposalsDemonstrate the ability to advise clients on media related issues/opportunities providing them with strategic rationale they can understandTotal client satisfaction achieved through management/utilisation of all Axicom resources, introduction of additional specialisms where applicable, consistently excellent client service and anticipating client needsClient relationships continually strengthened through the provision of valued personal counsel, intimate knowledge of client’s business, motivations and concerns as well as the competitive landscape and ability to advance their business interestsDrive strategic PR planning process, ensure that plans integrate with other PR plans in client organisation, and proactively adapt plan to reflect change to business and market.Manage client satisfaction. Hold regular meetings and maintain regular contact to keep key clients apprised of work progress, address issues that appear and solicit feedback from clients, and assess PR results against client expectationsProactively craft and place stories, shape broad industry themes and story lines, and negotiate client inclusion in coverageFinance Manage client budgets and budget reporting working closely with the Associate Director/Director Accurately forecast teams time versus budget allocation for the month and working closely with the associate director/director to ensure over servicing is kept to a minimumDemonstrate the ability to explain/justify aspects of a budget to a client where necessary request additional funds/budget to cover agreed activityManage team resources to sustain business and allow for growth in fee income across teamDemonstrate the ability to identify and facilitate conversion of incremental incomeRevenue and profit margin targets met or exceeded through application of comprehensive, accurate budget constructive, monitoring and discipline. This includes full utilisation of capacity planning and utilization and resource allocationNew Business Effectively generate organic growth from existing clientsWork with the team to generate and respond to new business leadsTake a proactive role in working on new business/existing client pitches/presentations taking the lead in idea generation, research and document writingManagement Command the respect of your teams and clients alike by providing consistently high levels of client service and employing best practise techniquesAssume responsibility for the professional growth of your team i.e. proactively identifying opportunities for developing their skillsProvide your team with clear direction and motivate them to consistently deliver successful campaigns Set/manage media targets that motivate the team to achieve outstanding results on behalf of your clientsDisplay leadership qualities to staff/team and engender team spiritDemonstrate discretion/confidentiality with regard to personnel issues and information fed to you from the senior teamEffective independent relationships maintained with other AxiCom managers and professionalsGeneral Demonstrate creative flair, via brainstorm direction, idea generation and development and innovative executionDemonstrate strong analytical and problem-solving skills, challenging where necessary senior members of the team and/or clients with confidence, in the pursuit of strategic integrityDemonstrate a knowledge of other marketing disciplines both internal and externalDemonstrate effective time management i.e. meeting deadlines and prioritisingIdentify areas for improvement with regard to the company and lead change where appropriateUnderstand and meet guidelines on best business practices including team financial and resource management, utilisation, daily timesheets, accurate billing, timely expense reports, etc. Keep senior leaders informed of what is transpiring with their business on a frequent basis, and ask for assistance when neededCollaboration Create an inclusive and welcoming environment.Play an active, effective and helpful part in all your client teams, your practise and broadly within Axicom and be an ambassador for the agency at all timesDemonstrate flexibility in an always-evolving work environmentSeek out and use ideas, opinions, and insights from various diverse sources and individuals.Use self-awareness to deflect biases.Consistently demonstrate integrity and credibility and build trust through inclusive behaviourWhat We OfferAs well as exciting career growth opportunities we offer a generous remuneration package and employee benefits. You will also have access to Employee Assistance and LinkedIn Learning as well as other training and development opportunities.