Account Director

Who we are: Magpie Studio is a branding agency for people who believe in the power of ideas to create impact. We build evocative brands that are both engaging and effective, delivering powerful emotions and proven results. We’re a proud independent, partnering with an international roster of ambitious clients – from budding start-ups to global leaders.

Who you are: You’re a collaborative client champion, passionate about driving business growth and building lasting relationships. With a supportive mentoring style, you ensure projects meet the highest standards. You thrive in a fast-paced environment, balancing creative ambition with commercial goals, and leading teams with communication and creativity at the core.

The role: As an Account Director, you’ll lead strategic client relationships and manage complex projects. You’ll be commercially minded, mentor your team, and ensure projects exceed expectations, delivering impactful solutions that move both clients and the studio forward.

Key responsibilities

Client Relationships: Take the lead in managing senior client relationships, guiding the strategic direction of their accounts and offering tailored solutions that align with their long-term business objectives.

Project Oversight: Lead large, complex projects, ensuring they are on track, within budget, and aligned with the client’s brief. You’ll manage every stage to deliver high-quality work that exceeds client expectations. Facilitate post project reviews to gather feedback and insights for continuous improvement.

Client Development: In collaboration with the Client Services Director, play a key role in shaping sustainable strategies for key accounts, and identifying andsecuring opportunities for growth.

Team Leadership & Development: Support and guide junior team members and peers, helping them manage their accounts and projects effectively. Encourage business development within their accounts, fostering growth opportunities.

Resource & Collaboration: Work closely with the creative team, strategy & production partners and client teams to ensure everyone is aligned with goals and expectations, and ensuring that we have the right talent in place at the right time.

Financial Management: Manage client project budgets, track financial progress, and ensure projects remain profitable, reporting in to the CSD.

New Business: Collaboratively pursue new business opportunities with the senior management team. Coordinate and contribute to the delivery of successful pitches, making recommendations based on insight into both client needs and the studio’s capabilities, writing proposals and being an active participant in presentations.

Studio Admin Leadership: Oversee studio admin tasks, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently, processes are being correctly followed, and that all files, proposals, documents, and communications are well-organised.

Studio Operations: Actively contribute to the continuous improvement of internal processes, identifying opportunities to optimise efficiency in client servicing and project management.

PR Strategy: Contribute to the planning and delivery of our PR / marketing strategy, ensuring that our communications align with brand values and support business development.

Key requirements

• 7+ years of experience in client management in a creative, branding, or design agency, with at least 2-3 years in a mid-senior role.
• Strong track record in client relationship management and business development.
• Excellent leadership, organisational, and decision-making skills.
• Proven ability to manage large, complex projects across multiple workstreams.
• Strategic thinker, able to develop and implement long-term account strategies.Strong commercial acumen, with experience driving account growth and financial success.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with experience influencing senior clients and stakeholders.
• A natural team player, willing to flex and support across all areas of the business when needed.

Details

• 9:30 - 6pm working hours with 1 hour for lunch.
• Hybrid working arrangement: Mon - Wed in the studio, Thur - Fri optional work from home
• Team lunch on the last Friday of every month.
• 20 days holiday, plus 1 extra day per year of service up to 5 years.
• Studio closure between Christmas and New Year, in addition to holiday allowance.
• Christmas, summer and ad-hoc social events.
• Cycle-to-work scheme.