Account Director

About You

As Account Director, you play an integral role in the agency and have a definitive understanding of the industry we work within. You will be a leader and self-starter with the ability to lead campaigns from the ground up. You welcome a high level of responsibility and lead clients and projects in day-to-day as well as strategic planning. A clear and confident delegator, you are an excellent team player and are invested in the development and nurturing of your junior colleagues.

Your Key Responsibilities include:

Accounts & Campaigns:

• Able to advise clients on a suitable press strategy for their specific film e.g. recommending certain fast breaking press if a client’s aim is to further the sales effort / who would be the best outlet / journalist for a certain type of piece / which journalists they would recommend from unsold territories

• Able to lead on high profile / larger campaigns simultaneously & run them independently, liaising with major clients and the film’s US and international distributors without supervision

• Recognise where workload could be more effectively divided both on individual projects and across the UK / LA offices and flag with the team’s director

• Confident managing tour activity from afar and if required to travel with the film delegation, acting as the main point of contact throughout

• Problem-solve major campaign issues independently and discuss potential solutions directly with the client

• Provide sound advice to client based on knowledge and experience of objectives and strategy on an ongoing basis

• Navigate and manage clients, understanding their perspectives and requirements

• Continue to develop strong client relationships to ensure on-going client satisfaction

Festivals:

• Lead on titles at a festival, taking the lead on client liaison and managing staffing to ensure all logistics and publicity needs are met, while at the same time able to manage ongoing campaign work

• Uses spare time effectively to build on existing client relationships

• Has experience handling titles at all of the major A list film festivals Berlin, Cannes, Venice and Toronto, as well as experience at smaller/specialised festivals including TV festivals and markets.

• Has an understanding of how best to tailor press schedules to a specific film project’s needs

• Able to manage client and filmmaker expectations during submission and acceptance at festivals, programming decisions and festival strategy

Press & International Distributors Relationships:

• Able to advise clients on a suitable press strategy for their specific film, e.g. recommending certain fast-breaking press if a client’s aim is to further the sales effort / who would be the best outlet / journalist for a certain type of piece / which journalists they would recommend from unsold territories

• Network with journalists regularly

New Business & Industry Relationships:

• Develop a close working relationship with our clients and add value with expert knowledge

• Demonstrating in-depth understanding of client context, competitors, and industry

• Working with the strengths of the team to find the best solution for any given project

• Offer help / guidance to juniors whilst they draft proposals & presentations

• Recognise the opportunity to expand on the services we could offer on a project

• Oversee new business presentations and proposals

• Intuitively ‘grasp’ strategy and ensure that the team eloquently communicate key concepts throughout their work

• Recognise when we should question client strategy/ideas and do so in a sensitive & eloquent manner

• Contribute as part of wider team in winning new business for DDA

• Maintains awareness of potential mergers and acquisitions / industry hot topics and suggests ways to utilise them to DDA’s advantage

• Is the main contact for specific/repeat clients and earns responsibility for maintenance of those relationships

People:

• Become invested in growing the experience of members of the team through their work with you

• Be approachable and professional at all times and positively contribute to the team environment

• Inspire your colleagues to push themselves and lead by example

• Champion the importance of teamwork and motivate others around you

• Mentor and coach more junior team members, building their knowledge, understanding and expertise

• Supervise & help others with their campaigns

• Consider and understand the pressures of the team as a whole (not just how your projects effect you)

• Take initiative and make suggestions about the division of labour and proactively organise meetings with the whole team to ensure the needs of the team are met

• Inducts newly assigned junior staff in fundamentals of the account.

• Is self sufficient

Requirements & Skills

• Proven leadership with excellent client relationship skills, preferably within the Film, TV and Entertainment sector

• Strong relationship building skills, with a focus on relationships with clients, senior management and significant stakeholders

• Some experience with growing accounts and new business opportunities, with demonstrable examples

• A passion for learning, and getting under the skin of, client businesses to give them the best possible outcomes

• Previous experience in mentoring junior members of the team

• Highly motivated, positive and proactive team player with exceptional influencing and negotiating skills

• Ability to multi-task and stay organized to meet multiple deadlines across a variety of projects

• Possession of expert written, oral communication and presentation skills

• Creative thinking with the ability to bring in new processes and ways of working

• A team player, willing to share knowledge and discuss approaches and tactics but also able to work independently

• Wider understanding and passion for the film industry

To apply, email CareersDDA@ddapr.com with your CV and an explanation of why you think you would be a good fit with DDA.