Account Director

Overall Job Description:

The successful candidate will have proven experience, directing multiple communications/PR programmes and client account teams for high-profile brands or organisations within the motorsport or automotive landscape.

8 years’+ experience in communications and sponsorship management, client servicing / account management is desirable.

This person will firstly be responsible for leading (as Account Director) on one of the agency’s largest motorsport accounts. They will also be responsible for ensuring all comms accounts within the agency deliver to the standards required - you will be accountable for all comms projects within the agency, with the Comms team reporting directly into you.

Other responsibilities range from project management to financial set-up, time forecasting, budget management and feeding back to the senior management on a regular basis.

This person will have exemplary quality process management / comms skills and rigorously ensure these practices are adhered to across agency teams, training members of staff in these practices where necessary.

The candidate will thrive on multi-tasking across numerous clients and projects, in a fast-paced environment, displaying exceptional attention to detail and excellent communication skills both spoken and written.

The candidate will be comfortable developing communications strategies, writing press releases, FAQ documents, talent briefing documents, developing press packs as well as managing all aspects of media relations. Global media contacts within the world of automotive, motorsport and sponsorship would be favourable.

This person will be responsible for monitoring the quality and accuracy of copy writing and content within the agency, setting processes where required. This is a critical part of the role.

Whilst the focus is on the delivery of comms, a commercial awareness and experience in sports sponsorship marketing/integrated marketing is required.

As part of an agency which is delivering activations across the world on a weekly basis, a willingness/flexibility to be involved in every element of the programme is essential. An energetic, enthusiastic and “can do” team attitude is critical, as well as the ability to work under minimal supervision by the senior management team.

Whilst your account teams will manage the majority of comms onsite, there will be an occasional requirement to travel to events and project manage onsite for activities where needed.

This candidate may be required to work across the many facets of sponsorship activation and will work with numerous stakeholders and other external agencies and suppliers.

With a team reporting into you, staff development and training will form part of your remit.

You will be the client’s port of call for any complex matters and available to counsel and advise them on behalf of the agency when necessary.

Key responsibilities include:

• Management of the Comms team, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget and standards exceed clients’ expectations
• Account Director on key motorsport account
• A main point of contact for senior management
• Full quality control of job project management/documentation and processes (budgets, SOW, plans, logistics etc.)
• Ensure all comms related content leaving the agency is accurate and delivered to the highest quality
• Utilise and manage supplier relationships to deliver projects on brief and within budget as well as assess supplier contracts and research alternative and new suppliers to ensure Crunch is always recommending the best approach for the client
• Strong commercial awareness, with a thorough understanding of client fee forecasts, writing accurate budgets, managing service levels and resource planning to ensure profitable and effective delivery of accounts
• Taking full ownership of account programmes from concepts to reconciliation when required
• Experience with logistics and operations’ planning for onsite activations
• Experience in securing and managing suppliers including production and design companies
• Proactively look at new business ideas and ways to grow the account organically through understanding the client’s objectives and requirements
• Proactivity making recommendations to the agency on comms best practice
• Managing and leading regular internal meetings, ensuring all are clear on tasks and priorities aligned with the overall strategic plan
• Knowledge sharing within the team and wider business at company meetings and supporting the Head of Client Services where required
• Responsibility for client account budgets, including creation of estimates and project reconciliations, ensuring all projects remain on track
• Onsite event director where necessary, ensuring the preparation is well organized, all documentation is in place to brief the team
• Support with leading creative sessions, writing client responses, PPT presentations and reports for the client / Crunch as required
• Lead new business pitches when required

Candidate Requirements:

• 8 years’+ experience in communications and sponsorship management, client servicing / account management is desirable
• Experience delivering comms sponsorship activation including but not limited to: comms strategy, message development, content creation and development, media management, crisis comms management, press kit creation, press release writing, driver briefings, Q&As, content library management, digital and social activations etc.
• Experience working in high profile motorsport or automotive
• Experience leading and managing agency account teams
• Extensive experience creating presentations and PPT decks
• Exceptional copy writing and proofing skills
• Experience presenting to high-profile stakeholders
• Excellent client management skills with a proven track record of providing counsel to senior clients and influencing stakeholders
• Experience delivering digital and social programmes
• Experience managing live comms activations and media events
• Experience managing media announcements
• Experience working with and briefing high-profile, well-known individuals (talent/drivers)
• An understanding of brand guidelines and content approvals
• Keen motorsport follower ideally, but an interest in the business of sport is a must
• You should revel in hard work and be conscientious with a positive professional attitude and an enthusiasm to succeed
• Experience of project management processes and support beyond delivery of objectives alone
• Organised with good time management, both independently and when working as part of a team
• Experience of logistics and operations management
• Champion of best practice, leading by example and making sure that project systems and procedures are set up and adhered to correctly by all team members
• Calm and collected under pressure and someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent client servicing and communication skills
• An understanding of measurement and reporting methods
• Keen attention to detail and highly solutions orientated
• Desire to constantly learn new things and improve on current methods
• Ability to multi-task and prioritise to meet the deadline
• Confident with budgets and managing finance processes
• Ability to manage junior team members and coordinate their workload
• Confident to communicate effectively with all levels throughout the company (with the ability to manage upwards and downwards)
• Proficient with Microsoft Office particularly excel and PPT
• Happy to travel globally on a regular basis and over multiple weekends
• Ability to speak another language desirable

What does it take to work at Crunch?

• You will understand the pressure faced by clients and always have the correct attitude to deal with any situation your team has to handle to meet the deadline and maintain the highest standards
• You should be willing to work some evenings and weekends, as well as travel domestically and abroad
• Develop a strong understanding of clients’ external and internal business operations
• Crunch’s programmes work because we can walk in the clients’ shoes. Developing a good understanding of a client’s marketplace and the issues they face is essential
• Take the initiative
• As you grow so does Crunch in the eyes of the client; we want you to develop your skills and acquire new ones that will benefit both you and the company – we’ll help you to get there and reward you when you do
• You should revel in hard work and be conscientious with a positive attitude that will make the all- important client relationship all the more successful

Why should you come to work at Crunch…?

• If you’re looking for a vibrant place to work, where you can get involved in fast-paced projects working on some of the largest and most well-known global clients in motorsport, then you’re in the right place
• We’re committed to investing in career development and look to promote internally so will help you grow in your role
• We have a generous holiday allowance which increases by one day each year you work for us
• We know how important it is to have a welcoming and engaging working environment, which is why our central Wimbledon office includes a lunch area, pool table, darts board and well-stocked bar for all to enjoy
• Plus, we have a great benefits scheme and pay an industry-competitive salary