Group Account Director

Group Account Director

Miami

The Role

The client is one of the world’s most recognised brands, a global technology company who consistently delivers innovative, design led products. The Group Account Director (GAD) is responsible for leading the ALAC region and holds overall responsibility for the relationship with the Client and key stakeholders. They will bring together a talented team of Production and Language specialists, ensuring they are engaged and motivated to produce at-scale work of the highest standard.

The team are based across multiple locations with the strategic relationship led from Miami, supported by an executional core in Buenos Aires. Miami is a stand-alone office, it’s onsite with the client and requires proven leadership experience that bridges management and operational skillsets.

KPI are transparent with the role measured on client service excellence and delivering tangible efficiencies year on year. With a commitment to drive global alignment and standardisation, strategy is largely driven from the centre however, there’s ample opportunity to input, contributing to key steering committees. The deployment of the global vision in a regional setting also requires an agile, strategic mindsight with experience overseeing and influencing change management.

Finally, the role will need to develop and own strong partnerships with the internal network. Working across a significant global footprint, partnering and collaborating with regional peers, ALAC regional office leadership and the wider Hogarth/WPP network.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Strategy

• Lead and inspire a team of 100+, across multiple locations, to deliver excellence, never compromising on quality. Note whilst the team scales in line with key calendar moments, the dedicated Miami headcount sits at a stable ≅ The wider team are managed at a local level and will be supported by global SME.
• Lead by example, building an inclusive team culture, where collaboration, fresh thinking, a can-do attitude and Hogarth values are embedded within the team DNA.
• Inspire and empower, ensuring work is effectively delegated and individuals take full ownership and responsibility for their function and leadership remit, with clear strategic goals that align with the business needs and global objectives
• Manage the team’s performance reviews and development. Setout and implement a robust succession plan across the team.
• Lead regular Town Halls and Team meetings to ensure there is a clear communication flow and that every member of the team is informed and updated on Hogarth performance, initiatives and aligned on the vision and objectives.

Client Partnership

• Build strong relationship with all levels of ALAC clients to better understand their current and future needs and strategic approach.
• Responsible for day-to-day management of overall client communication and relationship health.
• Remove barriers and find solutions to meet client needs. Communicate clearly with clients on recommendations and solutions as part of planning, briefing and review sessions.
• Ensure all teams collaborate and function effectively as one-team, regularly coming together to review data, findings and align on strategy.
• Partner with Global Delivery Leads (SMEs, Delivery Director) to set and deliver productivity and utilization targets to ensure business success.
• Work closely with the Global Operations group to share best practices and represent ALAC as part of any global initiatives.
• Build internal relationships across Hogarth and ensure ALAC are equipped to deliver best in class.

Process and Operations

• Responsible for overseeing the strategic direction for delivery management, implementing approach, standards and processes defined centrally by Delivery leadership
• Overall responsibility for ALAC teams, across all locations, ensuring they are trained, supported and equipped to deliver best practice.
• Internal and external escalation point responsible for effective conflict resolution and problem solving.
• Drive continuous improvement; partnering with Production, Language and Interactive Leads to review delivery data and workflows, presenting recommendations to drive efficiencies that show the business benefit, risk analysis and steps required to implement.
• Identify and mitigate risk. Directly intervene and manage the recovery plan whenever business critical risks are identified.

Commercials

• Possess a strong understanding of all contractual obligations, commercial arrangements, KPIs and SLAs with the Client
• Responsibility to ensure we deliver on forecasted budgets and profit margins
• Ensure client’s budgets are aligned with the scope of work and manage expectations accordingly.
• Lead key financial aspects of the account including overseeing estimating and actualization of budgets, management of SOW, delivery of KPIs, reporting, QBRs, profitability analysis and utilization.
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the Hogarth business model, services, and technology.

Growth and Account Planning

• Drive business growth through strong relationships, a solid knowledge of the clients’ business, strategic direction and future needs.
• Focus on cross selling our capabilities and services to extend our offering.
• Partner with the Commercial Team to develop robust commercial plans and rate cards.
• Lead new business pitches (when required).

Key Requirements

• Extensive experience leading large-scale delivery for global clients across multiple locations and driving change and governance through cross-functional, multi-location teams.
• Proven senior level client management experience with the ability to confidently present, negotiate and influence.
• Demonstrable experience of managing teams and developing and nurturing talent, preferably in an agency (production) environment.
• Experience of delivering strategic project plans and strong project methodologies.
• Ability to write clear, cohesive, and focused client presentations including strategic presentations with strong storytelling skills.
• Extensive experience in financial management and P&L management.
• Recruitment expertise: able to partner and strategize with recruitment and operational leads across multiple locations.
• Organised, self-starter, flexible, creative, solution-oriented individual with a ‘strive for better’ attitude.
• Attention to detail, analytical thinking and a passion for the work are essential.
• Must be able to prioritize and work quickly and efficiently within very tight time frames

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