Account Director

THE JOB / Account Director

The Account Director (AD) is a strategic leader responsible for the overall development and management of large-scale or multiple client accounts. They have a high level of client interaction, overseeing the client relationship and taking the lead in managing and developing projects. ADs actively participate in new business development, generating leads, and engaging in presentations and meetings.

The ideal candidate for this position is an experienced client service/account leader who excels in building positive relationships with clients, colleagues, and third parties. They possess expertise in project planning, account, and process management working for clients with complex organizations to navigate their internal processes. They have a 'can do' attitude, approach tough times with humor, and are not fearful to lead the charge. With strong organizational and communication skills, they will become the clear leader of their account in the eyes of the client and Octagon.

THE WORK YOU'LL DO

The prime role of the AD will be to oversee the management and coordination of a key global client's sponsorship with a major motorsport team. Working with the Global Octagon Account team (who look after the global sponsorship based in Europe), the AD will support the client's key markets for the APAC region. Acting as the APAC key point-of-contact to the client, the AD will assist the client in planning, coordinating, and activating the client's sponsorship rights throughout the year and at annual races within their market. The role will require significant communication between various teams on both client and agency sides, requiring solid client servicing skills for a sophisticated client who leverages their use of sponsorships to a high degree that drives business return.

Client Relationship Development:

• Serve as the Account Lead APAC, managing the relationships with multiple stakeholders for each market and at the regional level in order to be seen and respected as a trusted leader and point-person by the client while driving business/projects forward.
• Lead day-to-day client interface to all markets to ensure project objectives, planning, delivery timelines, and impactful results are achieved.
• Act as a trusted consultant providing proactive thinking to enable successful leverage and use of the motorsport property to drive the client's business objectives.

Account and Program Leadership and Delivery:

• Act as the key conduit between the APAC client and the Global Octagon Account Team managing the global rights of the sponsorship property.
• Develop a deep understanding of local market teams' needs & objectives.
• Lead from the front with a 'can do' and proactive attitude, upholding the highest quality standards, both in service & deliverables and global requirements of the client/brand.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the account which includes leading client status meetings, managing programming tracking documents, crafting insightful wrap-up reports that will advise sensible plans, and real-time improvements.
• Manage multiple markets and projects on a daily basis. Workstreams can include campaign development, ad-hoc event concepting, guest management, approval and compliance support, and more.

Business Development:

• Aside from the main role for managing the motorsport property, the AD is expected to actively identify, create, and pursue new business opportunities via farming opportunities from the Client as well as prospecting new clients to the agency.
• Generate forward-thinking, creative ideas to improve sponsorship-led programs and develop differentiated use of existing partnerships.

Financial Acumen:

• Oversee and drive financial health of accounts: maximizing long and short-term profit opportunities, remaining financially aware and ensuring that the company's profit margin is achieved.
• Review of actual vs SOW fees and timesheet tracking on a continual basis ensuring the agency's fees/time billed is on track.

Team Management:

• The role currently is a single contributor position, with a possibility for a support staff joining and reporting to the AD pending development of the account.

Growing Agency Expertise:

• Additional projects might be assigned, which may include: assistance on other events and hospitality programs, sponsorship evaluations, competitive reviews, POVs, white papers, property research, etc.

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Knowledge and Experience:

• 6 - 8+ years' experience that demonstrates strong account management, project management or client service skills with a brand, agency and/or team or sports or entertainment property.
• Solid understanding of how clients typically utilize rights for significant global sports properties and considerations that must be considered when planning and activating.
• Experience with financial or payment service brands preferred, though not essential.
• Experience with motorsports teams preferred, though not essential.
• Extensive experience of owning and growing positive and effective relationships with senior client stakeholders, resulting in account growth and evolution; ability to cultivate strong relationships with staff, other internal stakeholders, vendors, and partners.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Software (specifically PowerPoint, Excel, and Word).

Skills /Ability:

• Strong client management skills and possesses the confidence to provide them with strategic guidance and direction.
• Ability to balance multiple sophisticated tasks simultaneously, often under time pressure.
• Capacity to quickly become knowledgeable on our clients' industry, brand, product offerings, and competitors.
• Proven ability to think analytically & strategically.
• Strong ability to work within a team, demonstrate initiative, and solve problems effectively and independently.
• Impeccable client relationships skills to manage a client with high standards with exemplary verbal and written communication skills; ability to articulate clearly and offer a strong, collaborative and constructive presence and personality in client and internal meetings.

Others:

• You have a passion and/or interest in the power of sports and/or entertainment, gaming, music and/or celebrity & lifestyle culture.
• Willingness and flexibility to travel and work weekend/holidays as needed.

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