📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Account Director
🔹 Company: Havas Group
🔹 Location: Cirencester, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid (3 office days required)
🔹 Category: Advertising Services
🔹 Date Posted: June 12, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Cirencester office) 3 days a week
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading client relationships and ensuring project delivery on time and within budget
- Balancing strategic initiatives with day-to-day operations
- Maintaining high standards and client satisfaction
- Collaborating with planning, creatives, developers, and operational data marketeers
- Analyzing campaign results and presenting recommendations for improvements
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of creative and data-driven marketing, with a proven track record in client management. Leadership skills and the ability to inspire teams and clients are essential.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Leading client relationships and ensuring project delivery on time and within budget
✅ Balancing strategic initiatives with day-to-day operations
✅ Maintaining high standards and client satisfaction through 'brilliant basics'
✅ Developing creative and technical briefs to bring solutions to reality
✅ Acting as an escalation point on workload priorities
✅ Owning and developing key (senior) client relationships
✅ Contributing to and being responsible for delivering towards the Client Development Plan
✅ Being highly numerate and accountable for the profitability, growth, and direction of the business under control
ASSUMPTION: The role involves a mix of strategic and operational tasks, requiring strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field
Experience: Proven track record of 5-10 years in a similar role, with experience in client management, strategic planning, and project delivery
Required Skills:
- Leadership and team management
- Client relationship management
- Creative brief development
- Data analysis and interpretation
- Project management
- Strategic thinking and planning
- Presentation skills
- Budget control and financial management
- Problem-solving and decision-making
- Collaboration and stakeholder management
- Marketing knowledge and industry awareness
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working in an agency environment
- Knowledge of the advertising industry and trends
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong understanding of creative and data-driven marketing, with a proven track record in client management. Leadership skills and the ability to inspire teams and clients are essential.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £50,000 - £65,000 per annum (based on industry standards for similar roles and experience levels)
Benefits:
- Competitive benefits package
- 25 days' annual leave
- Company pension scheme
- Life assurance
- Employee assistance program
- Learning and development opportunities
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility for remote work on non-office days
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles and experience levels. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's skills, experience, and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Advertising Services
Company Size: 10,001+ employees
Founded: 1835
Company Description:
- Havas is one of the world’s largest global communications networks, with over 23,000 people in over 100 markets
- Committed to making a meaningful difference to brands, businesses, and people
- Operates through 70+ Havas Villages around the world, covering all communication activities
Company Specialties:
- Advertising
- Marketing
- Public Relations
- Digital Marketing
Company Website: www.havas.com
ASSUMPTION: Havas is a large, global advertising network with a strong focus on making a meaningful difference to brands, businesses, and people.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-Senior level
Reporting Structure: Reports to the Business Director
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (3 office days required)
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to Business Director or similar roles
- Expansion of client portfolio and team leadership
- Broadening of industry knowledge and expertise
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for career progression, team leadership, and industry expertise development.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space
Office Location(s): Cirencester, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
Geographic Context:
- Cirencester is a market town in Gloucestershire, known for its historic architecture and picturesque surroundings
- Well-connected by road and rail, with easy access to London and other major cities
- Offers a high quality of life with a mix of urban and rural living
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM, with flexibility for remote work on non-office days
ASSUMPTION: The Cirencester office offers a modern, collaborative work environment with easy access to major cities and a high quality of life.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and CV submission
- Phone or video screening with the HR team
- Face-to-face or video interview with the hiring manager and team members
- Final interview with the Business Director
- Background check and offer
Key Assessment Areas:
- Client management and relationship-building skills
- Strategic thinking and planning
- Project delivery and budget control
- Leadership and team management
- Cultural fit and alignment with Havas' values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare examples of successful client relationships and project delivery
- Research Havas' company culture and values to demonstrate alignment
ATS Keywords: Client Management, Strategic Planning, Project Delivery, Leadership, Team Management, Advertising, Marketing, Client Relationships, Budget Control
ASSUMPTION: The application process focuses on assessing client management, strategic thinking, project delivery, leadership, and cultural fit.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, JIRA)
- Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Tableau, Power BI)
- Adobe Creative Suite (optional)
ASSUMPTION: The role requires proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, project management tools, and data analysis and visualization tools. Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite is a plus.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Bold
- Curious
- Open
- Kind
- United
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Agile and adaptable
- Data-driven and insight-led
- Creative and innovative
- Committed to making a meaningful difference
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you demonstrate boldness in your approach to client relationships and project delivery?
- How do you stay curious and open to learning in a fast-paced advertising environment?
- How do you balance being kind to your team and clients while maintaining high standards and driving results?
ASSUMPTION: Havas values boldness, curiosity, openness, kindness, and unity in its work environment. Candidates should assess their fit with these values and work style preferences.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing client expectations and delivering on time and within budget
- Balancing strategic initiatives with day-to-day operations
- Working in a fast-paced, dynamic advertising environment
- Commuting to the Cirencester office 3 days a week
ASSUMPTION: The role presents challenges in managing client expectations, balancing strategic and operational tasks, working in a dynamic environment, and commuting to the office 3 days a week.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Account Director vs. Account Manager: Account Directors have more strategic responsibilities and manage larger client portfolios, while Account Managers focus more on day-to-day project delivery
- Advertising vs. Marketing: Account Directors in advertising agencies focus on creative campaigns and media planning, while those in marketing agencies may have a broader scope, including digital marketing and customer experience
- Career path: Account Directors can progress to Business Director, Managing Director, or other senior leadership roles
ASSUMPTION: Account Directors in advertising agencies have more strategic responsibilities and manage larger client portfolios compared to Account Managers. They can progress to senior leadership roles, and their focus may differ from those in marketing agencies.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a creative campaign for a major retail client, including TV, print, digital, and social media channels
- Managing a team to deliver a data-driven marketing strategy for a financial services client, improving customer engagement and driving business growth
- Collaborating with a cross-functional team to launch a new product for a technology client, including market research, positioning, branding, and go-to-market strategy
ASSUMPTION: Account Directors may work on a variety of projects, from creative campaigns to data-driven marketing strategies and product launches, depending on their clients' needs and the agency's capabilities.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does the team structure support the delivery of client projects and strategic initiatives?
- What are the most challenging aspects of working with our key clients, and how can I best support their needs?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the agency?
- How does the agency support work-life balance, especially for hybrid workers?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should ask questions that demonstrate their interest in the role's priorities, team dynamics, client relationships, professional development, and work-life balance.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare examples of successful client relationships and project delivery
- Research Havas' company culture and values to demonstrate alignment
- Follow up with the Havas HR team one week after submission to confirm receipt and next steps
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
