Client / Account Director - 6 Month FTC

About us

At Design Bridge and Partners, part of WPP, we design brands with the power to move. Pulling people towards them with an irresistible force that compels and connects. With 900 creative minds across 17 studios worldwide, diverse in expertise, experience, backgrounds and beliefs, we are united in our ambition to achieve real impact for our clients’ brands benefiting their business, people and the planet.

With expertise across brand strategy, brand design, brand engagement and brand effectiveness our clients across the world include NASA Artemis, Unilever, Coca-Cola, Diageo, Mastercard, Intel, HSBC, Tencent, Twitch, Heineken, Reckitt and the BBC.

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.

About the role

The core focus of your role is centred on three key dimensions:

1. Proactive Client Development

Expanding existing accounts and leading small-to-medium new business pitches

2. Consultative Project Direction

Ensuring creative and strategic excellence across complex brand portfolios

3. Commercial & Team Management

Manage account profitability, lead revenue forecasting, and line-manage junior colleagues to support their career development.

As a Client Director you will be able to demonstrate the following skills:

• Trusted Advisor Relationship Building: Proven ability to build mutual trust and conduct intelligent, strategic conversations at Brand/Marketing Manager level.

• Consultative Brand Problem-Solving: A strong passion for strategic design with the ability to bring intelligence and imagination to complex brand challenges.

• Organic Account Development: Proactive and resourceful in identifying, pursuing, and converting new opportunities and workstreams within existing client portfolios.

• Resilient Project Direction: Highly skilled in planning, organizing, and directing large-scale projects, staying calm and resourceful under pressure.

• Commercial & Negotiation Acumen: Good commercial mindset with the ability to negotiate budgets intelligently, manage project profitability, and lead revenue forecasting.

• Inspirational Team Leadership: A dedicated and supportive manager with a track record of mentoring junior team members and fostering a positive group culture.

• Compelling Communication & Presentation: Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, confident in presenting creative work with conviction and rationale.

• Collaborative Partnering: Open-minded and flexible collaborator who partners effectively with strategy, creative, studio, and production teams to champion high standards.

About you

We are looking for someone who can succeed in the following areas;

Client Relationship & Business Development:

• Build and nurture deep, trusted relationships with day-to-day client contacts, expanding the agency's network of influence within existing client businesses.

• Proactively identify opportunities to cross-sell the agency's full Brand World capabilities and lead small-to-medium-scale new business initiatives and pitches.

Consultative Brand & Project Direction:

• Act as a true brand consultant rather than a reactive supplier, providing strategic brand expertise to ensure projects meet or exceed client objectives.

• Oversee project planning and communication, presenting creative work with clear rationales while championing high design and execution standards.

Financial Control & Profitability:

• Manage the commercial health of accounts, setting financial targets, negotiating budgets, and securing written approvals before work commences.

• Drive project profitability by monitoring resource allocation, tracking financial status, and assisting finance teams in updating weekly forecasts.

Team Leadership & Talent Growth:

• Provide day-to-day leadership, feedback, and encouragement to the project team, creating a positive environment that empowers members to reach their potential.

• Take responsibility for the line management and ongoing development of junior staff, integrating mentorship into daily working practices.

This position requires experience with client s in the Pharmaceutical / Medical or a related Sector.

Why us?

We’re passionate about our people and their careers. We’ll help you develop your skills and provide you with outstanding benefits. So you’ll have a chance to make your mark on our future, as we make a mark on yours. We’re proud to be the world’s most awarded brand design agency, with 28 Cannes Lions to our name and Creative Review Annual’s Most Creative Design Agency of the Year 2024.

You’ll get to take new projects to award-winning potential, as part of a connected team of brilliant, tenacious people right by your side and across the world.

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.

Design Bridge and Partners, a WPP company, is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

Due to the volume of applications, we unfortunately can only respond to successful candidates.

We will not accept unsolicited CVs or approaches via recruitment agencies.

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