Account Director £50,000 - £60,000 per annum - #2181050

Job specification 

“We empower brands to win, with positive and Responsible Creative.

We are a purpose led creative business that uses powerful brand shaping thinking to solve problems and realise ambitions more sustainably (where possible), one project at a time.   

As a B Corp agency, we create responsibly, through strong principles and a vibrant, inclusive creative culture.

We call our creative process Responsible Creative. This encompasses everything we do on a day-to-day basis, it empowers us as individuals and a collective to make a positive impact through our work.

We have embedded the principles of B Corp into our business, and this supports our strategic thinking and culture.

Job role: Account Director

Reporting to: Interim Head of Client Services 

Department: Client Services & Operations

Location: Hybrid / Leeds

About the Role

The Account Director is responsible for the successful delivery of campaigns and the growth of client relationships, in line with agreed financial targets. This is a senior delivery role that requires commercial confidence, strategic thinking and the ability to lead a team.

You own your accounts. You are accountable for client satisfaction, project delivery and financial performance across your portfolio. You lead Account Managers and Account Executives, setting clear standards for pace, organisation and quality.

You think beyond delivery. You understand your clients’ business challenges and use that insight to shape stronger briefs, better work and deeper relationships. You identify growth opportunities and contribute to new business activity.

As a senior member of Client Services, you are expected to:

• Lead client relationships with authority and strategic confidence
• Drive commercial performance across your accounts
• Set clear direction and high standards for your team
• Identify and act on growth and new business opportunities
• Escalate risk early and present clear solutions

Key Responsibilities

Client Leadership and Delivery

• Own the senior day-to-day client relationships across your accounts
• Lead projects from brief through to delivery, ensuring quality, timeliness and commercial integrity
• Structure and lead client meetings with clear agendas, outcomes and actions
• Manage delivery across multiple projects and teams simultaneously
• Protect scope and escalate commercial risks early with clear recovery plans
• Position The Onlii as a trusted partner, not just a supplier

Commercial Ownership

• Take ownership of account-level financial targets including revenue and margin
• Manage project budgets with confidence, safeguarding agreed margins at all times
• Identify scope creep early and address it directly with clients
• Lead project forecasting and contribute accurate financial data to the senior team
• Identify and convert organic growth opportunities across your accounts

Strategic Thinking

• Interrogate briefs deeply before execution begins
• Connect client project activity to their wider commercial and brand objectives
• Anticipate operational challenges and resolve them before they impact delivery
• Deliver against agreed account strategy, escalating where pivots are needed

New Business and Growth

• Support pitch activity across existing and prospective clients
• Contribute to new business conversations in line with company strategy
• Represent The Onlii at client and industry events with credibility
• Visit clients in the UK and internationally where required

Team Leadership

• Lead Account Managers and Account Executives with clear direction and structured feedback
• Conduct performance reviews and support individual development plans
• Build strong cross-functional relationships across Creative, Production and Finance
• Set clear standards for delivery, communication and commercial conduct within your team

Embrace Responsible Creative Practices:

Commit to creating work that aligns with The Onlii’s vision and Responsible Creative process. Follow The Onlii’s behaviours whilst working, and look to contribute positively to the environment or society through your work (where possible).

Person specification:

Skills and Experience  

Essential 

• 6 or more years of experience in an agency environment, with proven progression to senior delivery roles 
• Demonstrated experience managing and growing client accounts to agreed financial targets 
• Strong commercial acumen with experience owning project budgets and account-level P&L 
• Proven leadership experience with the ability to direct, develop and inspire a team 
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to communicate confidently at mid to senior client level 
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to write strong briefs and lead client presentations 
• Highly organised across multiple projects, clients and internal workstreams 

Desirable 

Experience within a B Corp certified or purpose-led organisation 

Behaviours in line with our Values  

At The Onlii, our values are more than words they define who we are and how we show up every day.  

1. Authentically Brave - We speak up, show up, and stand up with courage, honesty, and purpose. 
2. Responsibly Creative - We create with care, challenge with curiosity, and design for impact. 
3. We Grow Together - We learn from each other, lift each other, and succeed as one. 
4. Smash Expectations – We know what’s expected, and we create experiences people remember 

Personal situation 

• Ability to work from Leeds a minimum of 2-3 days per week. 
• Willing and able to travel as required for client meetings and team sessions. 
• Flexible to meet project demands, which may include occasional extended hours. 

Equity, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EEDI)

At The Onlii, we are committed to fostering a culture that values equity, embraces diversity, and ensures inclusion across all levels of our organization. As a fundamental part of this role, you will:

• Actively contribute to an environment that respects and includes every voice.
• Recognise and address unconscious bias in decision-making and interactions.
• Promote inclusive practices and champion equitable opportunities in all aspects of your work.
• Support and uphold The Onlii’s commitment to EEDI principles, ensuring that these values are reflected in both your personal actions and team culture.