Account Director

About WPP Production

We are WPP Production - the unified global production company that brings together all of WPP's content producers, studios and craft experts into one connected organisation. We combine world-class human craft with next generation technology to originate, design, and deliver multi-channel content systems at scale. Built for borderless collaboration and powered by deep craft expertise, we are the production engine designed for today's always on, AI driven marketing world.

About WPP

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com .

A Hybrid working model

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we've adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

What does a Account Director do at WPP Production?

Our Account Director (AD) are knowledgeable and trusted Client leads. Accountable for end-to-end project delivery, management of client and agency relationships, they lead a diverse and dynamic team to deliver. Responsible for operational discipline, delivery, resource optimisation and profitability management across Clients and projects. You are the key point person for the projects you are leading and are responsible for delivering on time, on specification and on budget.

You possess problem-solving skills, have a passion for production, marketing and advertising and a desire to learn. Highly organised and accountable, you build trusting Client and team relationships, collaborate across multi-disciplined teams and draw on the expertise of Hogarth's resources and capabilities. You are ensure we execute flawlessly.

Key areas of responsibility

Communication

Responsible for managing the day to day client relationship with a focus on Client delivery

Oversee the on-time delivery of projects and ensure the smooth delivery and swift resolution of issues to maintain client confidence in WPP's capabilities to deliver

The key day-to-day Client Delivery contact with clients, agencies and all associated WPP's teams

Understanding of client's needs to deliver high satisfaction levels and share feedback with wider team and escalate any delivery concerns to Senior Account Director / Client Director

Act as the primary client contact for project delivery, structuring regular status and communications with clients, defining scope and approach, setting and managing expectations and deliverables and troubleshooting issues as they arise

Work with client brands and agencies to ensure a clear understanding of the production brief, deliverables and timeline for each project and relay those details to other members of the team as necessary

Accountable for ensuring all team members are aware of timelines and deliverables

Collaboration

Partner with Client Services, Production and Finance to ensure a smooth process, proper resource allocation and a superior result

Develop and maintain high levels of team effectiveness, trust, communication, collaboration, productivity, diversity, engagement and ensure the team feel personal accountability for deliverables and projects

Demonstrate strong collaboration skills with internal agency teams and key external partners to ensure quality and adherence to production guidelines for key deliverables

Process

Manage medium to complex projects independently and with a team, from initiation through to completion

Work collaboratively with all internal team members to facilitate the process of developing effective strategies and briefs that lead to great work

Understand and anticipate client needs, taking them into account when framing and making delivery decisions

Possess an understanding of project and client management techniques and bring process innovation to how we manage our engagements

Manage client objectives, budget, expectations, deliverables and timelines and communicate changes/direction to team members

Keep projects on track through clear team status, task lists, timing schedules, risk register, trackers, status and contact reports

Participate actively and knowledgably articulate status internally and during client interactions

Leverage our on-site, onshore, offshore network to deliver great work in the most efficient and effective way

Identify improvements to existing workflow and processes

Identify potential project risks and develop contingency plans and if needed, escalate to Senior Account Director / Client Director

Review team structure and resources on an ongoing basis to ensure client is serviced appropriately

Ensure the highest quality is always delivered to clients

Leadership

Create a culture of fresh-thinking, collaboration, respect, equality, diversity and inclusion, with a focus on learning, development and growth

Contribute to WPPs culture by exhibiting ownership, professionalism, passion and leading by example

Take ownership and find solutions, whilst supporting the wider team by removing any barriers to success

Retain the best talent

Financials

Demonstrate strong commercial abilities and business and financial acumen

Own project budgets and tracking of all ongoing costs throughout project lifecycle, reconcile estimates to actuals on all projects, and resolution of budget discrepancies between disciplines, vendors and clients

Manage POs, financial reporting, tracking, billing against all project budgets

Manage financial aspects of assigned accounts including development of SOW and change orders, estimates, profitability analysis, and utilization, working with Finance where appropriate

Responsible for monthly billing and tracking of all production budgets

Ensure a thorough understanding of commercial arrangements, and SLA's across assigned accounts and ensure specific details are understood by the broader team

Protect margins

Proactively seek and identify new revenue opportunities across your clients

Requirements

Project / Client management related experience within an interactive or integrated agency, with a good understanding of marketing and production implementation processes across all key channels, including digital, video, content, social etc

Good understanding of production and the creative development process, content production, technology, quality assurance testing and marketing methodologies

Ability to manage complex projects with varying components, demonstrating ability to deliver on time and on budget

Experience of building solid client relationships

A professional, calm, approachable demeanour, and the ability to thrive in a dynamic highly matrixed agency environment

Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and relationships cross functionally

An appreciation for how great work gets done and a commitment to ensuring flawless execution and delivery

Proven ability to collaborate with dynamic cross-functional teams to deliver on projects

Demonstrates an ability to solve problems with the solution that works for all stakeholders without compromising the quality of the deliverables or the project

Must be commercially astute able to build scopes, create budgets and track profitability

Proven negotiation skills

Strong client relationship skills including presenting to clients and the ability to think on your feet

Strong written/oral communication skills

Experience of working with offshore teams a plus