Key Account Director - South Wales

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Key Account Director - South Wales

🔹 Company: Reach plc

🔹 Location: Cardiff, United Kingdom

🔹 Job Type: Full-time

🔹 Category: Media and Advertising Sales

🔹 Date Posted: April 7, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Selling digital advertising solutions to local businesses in South Wales
• Building and maintaining strong client relationships
• Ensuring clients achieve a healthy ROI through tailored advertising campaigns
• Working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with a clear career pathway

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of autonomy and requires strong self-motivation and drive. Success in this role will depend on the candidate's ability to build and maintain strong client relationships, as well as their understanding of digital advertising solutions.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Selling digital advertising solutions to local businesses in South Wales

✅ Building and maintaining strong client relationships

✅ Ensuring clients achieve a healthy ROI through tailored advertising campaigns

✅ Achieving monthly and quarterly sales targets

✅ Attending regular leadership check-ins to track development and set career growth goals

ASSUMPTION: The role requires a strong focus on new business sales, with a significant portion of time spent on prospecting and pitching to potential clients. The candidate should be comfortable working in a target-driven environment.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: No formal education requirements specified

Experience: Proven experience in new business sales, ideally within the media or advertising industry

Required Skills:

• Sales-savvy with a proven track record in new business sales
• Self-motivated and driven, with a strong desire to win and retain clients
• Strategic thinker with a solid understanding of advertising campaign planning
• Strong communicator, both verbally and in writing, with excellent presentation skills

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with digital advertising solutions
• Familiarity with the local business landscape in South Wales

ASSUMPTION: While experience in digital advertising is preferred, the company offers an outstanding training program to help the successful candidate develop the necessary skills.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Up to £40,000 basic salary, with OTE up to £57,000 + car allowance. The salary range is competitive and reflects the industry standard for a Key Account Director role in the UK.

Benefits:

• Pension scheme with matched contributions up to 6%
• 25 days' holiday per year, with the option to purchase additional days
• Enhanced family leave policies
• Private Healthcare Cash Plan
• Wellbeing support, including a 24/7 assistance program
• Giving back day - an additional day's leave each year to support a cause close to the candidate's heart
• Career opportunities with a clear career pathway and salary bandings

Working Hours: Full-time, with flexibility for remote work as needed

ASSUMPTION: The salary range and benefits package are competitive and reflect the industry standard for a Key Account Director role in the UK. The company offers a range of benefits to support both personal and professional growth.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Reach plc is the UK's largest commercial news publisher, with a readership of 47 million people each month. The company is home to some of the UK and Ireland's most iconic media brands, including the Mirror, Daily Express, OK!, as well as regional titles like the Birmingham Post, Liverpool Echo, and Manchester Evening News.

Company Size: Reach plc has 1,001-5,000 employees, providing a large and diverse work environment. This size allows for ample opportunities for growth and development.

Founded: 1832, as a newspaper publisher. The company has since grown and evolved to become the largest commercial news publisher in the UK.

Company Description:

• Reach plc is committed to creating an environment where everyone feels supported, valued, and able to grow
• The company prioritises flexibility and work-life balance, making it easier for employees to thrive both in and outside of work
• Reach plc is an inclusive employer, encouraging applications from all suitable applicants irrespective of background, circumstances, age, disability, gender identity, ethnicity, religion or belief, and sexual orientation

Company Specialties:

• News publishing
• Digital advertising solutions
• Media and advertising sales

Company Website: http://www.reachplc.com

ASSUMPTION: Reach plc's large size and diverse portfolio of media brands provide ample opportunities for career growth and development. The company's commitment to inclusivity and work-life balance makes it an attractive employer for candidates seeking a supportive and flexible work environment.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is at the mid-level, with a clear career pathway for progression. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to grow into a Senior Key Account Director role.

Reporting Structure: The Key Account Director reports directly to the Sales Manager and works closely with the wider sales team to achieve company sales targets.

Work Arrangement: This role is primarily on-site, with flexibility for remote work as needed. The candidate should be comfortable working independently and managing their own time effectively.

Growth Opportunities:

• Clear career pathway with salary bandings that reflect development and progression
• Regular leadership check-ins to track development and set career growth goals
• Opportunities to work with a wide range of clients and industries, providing diverse learning experiences

ASSUMPTION: The clear career pathway and regular check-ins provide ample opportunities for growth and development in this role. The diverse range of clients and industries offers a varied and engaging work environment.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Reach plc's offices are modern and well-equipped, providing a comfortable and productive work environment.

Office Location(s): The successful candidate will be based in Cardiff, with the opportunity to work remotely as needed.

Geographic Context:

• Cardiff is the capital city of Wales and is known for its vibrant culture, historic landmarks, and beautiful countryside
• The city has a thriving business community, with a diverse range of industries and opportunities
• Cardiff is well-connected by road, rail, and air, making it an accessible location for both local and remote workers

Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexibility for remote work as needed

ASSUMPTION: The modern and well-equipped offices provide a comfortable and productive work environment. The geographic context of Cardiff offers a vibrant and accessible location for both local and remote workers.

💼 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 Sales Manager and a member of the sales team
• Final interview with the Sales Director

Key Assessment Areas:

• Sales skills and experience
• Understanding of digital advertising solutions
• Strategic thinking and planning
• Communication and presentation skills
• Cultural fit and alignment with company values

Application Tips:

• Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant sales experience and skills
• Research Reach plc and the local business landscape in South Wales to demonstrate your understanding of the role and company
• Prepare examples of successful sales strategies and campaigns you've implemented in the past

ATS Keywords: Digital advertising, sales, new business, client relationships, ROI, strategic planning, communication, presentation, media, advertising, Reach plc, South Wales

ASSUMPTION: The interview process is designed to assess the candidate's sales skills, experience, and cultural fit. The company is looking for a candidate who can demonstrate a strong understanding of digital advertising solutions and a proven track record in new business sales.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
• Digital advertising platforms (e.g., Google Ads, Facebook Ads)
• Presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides)
• Email marketing tools (e.g., Mailchimp, Constant Contact)

ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be proficient in using CRM software, digital advertising platforms, and presentation software. Familiarity with email marketing tools is also beneficial.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Collaboration: We work together to achieve our goals
• Imagination: We think creatively and challenge the status quo
• Determination: We never give up and always strive for the best

Work Style:

• Dynamic and fast-paced environment
• Target-driven and results-focused
• Strong emphasis on building and maintaining client relationships

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you thrive in a dynamic, target-driven environment?
• Are you comfortable working independently and managing your own time effectively?
• Do you have a proven track record in building and maintaining strong client relationships?

ASSUMPTION: Reach plc values collaboration, imagination, and determination in its employees. The successful candidate will be comfortable working in a dynamic, target-driven environment and have a proven track record in building and maintaining strong client relationships.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Working in a fast-paced, target-driven environment may be challenging for candidates who prefer a more structured or slower-paced work environment
• The role requires a strong understanding of digital advertising solutions, which may be challenging for candidates without relevant experience
• Building and maintaining strong client relationships can be time-consuming and may require working outside of regular business hours
• The role may involve travel to meet with clients, which may be challenging for candidates who prefer a fully remote work arrangement

ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be comfortable working in a fast-paced, target-driven environment and have a proven track record in building and maintaining strong client relationships. The role may require working outside of regular business hours and occasional travel.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is similar to other Key Account Director roles in the media and advertising industry, but with a focus on digital advertising solutions
• The role requires a strong understanding of digital advertising solutions, which may be more challenging than other sales roles in the industry
• The career pathway for this role is clear and well-defined, with opportunities for progression to Senior Key Account Director

ASSUMPTION: This role is similar to other Key Account Director roles in the media and advertising industry, but with a unique focus on digital advertising solutions. The career pathway for this role is clear and well-defined, with opportunities for progression to Senior Key Account Director.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and implementing a digital advertising campaign for a local business, with a focus on achieving a healthy ROI
• Building and maintaining strong client relationships with a portfolio of local businesses, with a focus on retaining and growing existing accounts
• Attending industry events and networking opportunities to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in digital advertising

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are designed to give candidates an understanding of the types of tasks and responsibilities they may encounter in this role. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate their ability to develop and implement effective digital advertising campaigns and build and maintain strong client relationships.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the typical sales cycle for a digital advertising campaign?
• How does the sales team collaborate and support each other in achieving company sales targets?
• What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the sales team?
• How does the company support work-life balance for its employees?
• What is the company's approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion?

ASSUMPTION: These key questions are designed to help candidates gain a better understanding of the role, the company, and the work environment. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate their ability to work effectively in a dynamic, target-driven environment and build and maintain strong client relationships.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant sales experience and skills
• Prepare examples of successful sales strategies and campaigns you've implemented in the past
• Research Reach plc and the local business landscape in South Wales to demonstrate your understanding of the role and company
• Follow up with the HR team one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.