London, UK
Account director/client services lead
at Beyond London
Beyond London is hiring an account director/client services lead to join its team in London.
We are a multi-disciplinary design agency based in West London and we are looking to expand our team with talented individuals who are passionate about what they do and are eager to learn. We work with big established businesses as well as small start-ups. No two weeks are ever the same in the office.
Our people combine outstanding creativity with the sophisticated commercial strategies needed to bring brands to life and deliver extraordinary long-term results. We work hard and deliver big. Times are changing and we are changing with them, offering flexible working and some great benefits.
Clients include consumer brands, corporate brands, landlords and public sector organisations. Our outputs include brand strategy, graphics, interior design and design management.
Overview of the role
An exciting new role has opened up to join our client services team.
We are seeking a highly adaptive account director/client services lead, to work on a range of small to large-size clients across a varied mix of projects. You will be a key part of the client services team. You will be required to run multiple accounts whilst being line manager to a small accounts team.
You will report to the managing director and be part of a five-strong senior leadership team comprising interior design manager, graphic design manager, design director and head of retail design consultancy.
As part of the management role, you will be required to do regular performance reviews with your team. The team is currently one, but you will be involved in recruiting a new account manager/exec.
Our key accounts require strong project management skills, often for fee-heavy projects that can stretch over several weeks, months and occasionally years.
You will be keen to take ownership of your work from overseeing financial processes to managing creative outputs and generally be happy managing your own workload including the administration of accounts. You will confidently juggle multiple projects to meet strict deadlines, whilst maintaining a keen eye for detail and a personable approach to your work.
At Beyond, we work with a proactive attitude, with each team member pitching in to support others who are under pressure – no job is above or beneath anyone. We are looking for someone with a friendly, positive personality, who is always keen to get involved and contribute to a great work environment.
Specific must-have requirements:
Minimum seven years experience of the following:
- previous team leadership skills
- proposal writing
- fee and billing management
- day-to-day client liaison
- working to multiple and sometimes challenging deadlines
- internal management of workflow/scheduling
- hosting and running client catch-up meetings
- artwork proofing and checking
- supplier liaison – printers/main contractors
- Specific experience of graphics and or interior design projects for large/blue chip clients
- Great attention to detail
- Can do attitude
General responsibilities:
Administration of client accounts:
- drafting status reports, contact reports and timing plans, and meeting agendas as necessary
- arranging meetings, sometimes managing multiple diaries
- managing financial processes from estimates to invoices
- managing third party suppliers/partners
- ownership of the billing procedure, updating FD and client partners on the accounts, active participation on sales forecasting
- scheduling studio time across the whole business and occasionally looking for freelancers to ensure work is delivered on time and on budget.
Team management:
- developing strong relationships with all team members
- managing team members with regular performance reviews
- input into overall business management as part of the SLT team
Strategic approach to account management:
- developing strong, profitable client relationships
- managing resources and deadlines to meet project milestones
- keeping up to date with marketplace information, trends and industry news
- proactively thinking and acting on ways to develop new and existing business opportunities
Collaborating with the creative process:
- developing design briefs and supplying designers with all information required
- overseeing creative and providing constructive feedback
- overseeing artwork and drawing packages and proofing all files before issuing to print
- content management and proofreading skills are needed for support on design/technical guide creation and writing brand guidelines
- copywriting skills are desirable
Experience:
- seven years professional experience in an interior design or branding/graphics agency
- previous client-facing roles
- consumer and corporate brand clients
- team management responsibility
- great references
Location: Hammersmith (two days a week in the office – more if you prefer)
Type of employment: full-time/permanent
Salary range and benefits: negotiable depending on experience
Please apply via the apply for job button below.