Group Account Director

TEAM: PORTFOLIO

CLIENT: PRIORITY FROM O2

REPORTING TO: SVP, Client Engagement, Portfolio

ABOUT US 

tms unites technology, marketing, and sourcing to drive transformational change for the world’s leading brands. With 1,200+ employees across 26 countries, we offer an impressive range of solutions – from inspiration and innovation to category management and delivery.  

Operating as a creative agency, a strategic consultancy, a sourcing business, and a technology provider, we engage with over 110 million customers every single day for our clients, including McDonald’s, T-Mobile, O2, Starbucks, and adidas. 

Most importantly, we're a place where you can achieve great things, and be recognized as the best. 

WHAT MATTERS THE MOST 

Breakthrough, business-driving ideas come from extraordinary people with the freedom to be their most authentic selves at work. Authenticity and diversity are critical elements of our business. They can only be realized when we create access and equity for all. We foster a culture of inclusion and belonging and aspire to be ever evolving. 

tms is a place where brilliant people are better together. If you want your ideas to be heard and to contribute to a culture of inclusion and authenticity, bring us your voice! Visit us at tmsw.com.  

WHY WE THINK YOU WILL LOVE THIS ROLE

Back in January 2020, tms were thrilled to be appointed as Priority from O2’s partnership agency of choice. Priority is the jewel in Virgin Media O2’s impressive crown, the centre of their commitment to becoming truly customer centric.  And as the telecoms sector continues to evolve, Priority will be one of – if not the – key strategic focus for the business.

Priority from O2 is now one of the leading accounts in the agency, and in 2026 it will grow even further. Thanks to an impressive track record of delivery, close relationship with the client, we have expanded our scope and therefore increasing our expert Client Service team to continue our levels of service and partnership. Therefore, we require a Group Account Director who can provide true leadership for both the client and agency alike.

You will be a key player within tms and at VMO2 with a seat at the table in the most senior client and all agency meetings. You will work in collaboration with the client to develop plans and drive forward their vision for the next two years. You will provide insight and direction with strategically focused inputs as well as excellence in client partnership and account management.

As part of the agency leadership you will be responsible for managing internal team development, and crafting and delivering client growth plans to ensure the business is as healthy for tms as it is for our clients.

You will be tasked with looking for incremental work to grow the team of 6 and to work with colleagues to create agency leading processes. This role is about leadership and paving the way for your team and clients to create award winning work.

With the expertise you will bring, you will have the opportunity to work on key initiatives across the agency and on new business pitches that your experience will add value too – be they from the London office, or partnering with other global locations.

Finally, we guarantee that you will leave changed. Because we help our people to achieve their goals. Come here to experience. To experiment. To make mistakes. To challenge your own limits.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE AGENCY

As Group Account Director on Priority, you will thrive in leading your team to deliver best in class performance on every front. You will be a business leader, focussed on development and client growth, whilst also mentoring your team so they feel motivated and empowered to reach their goals.

You will work with senior management at VMO2 and tms planning experts to develop compelling strategies that direct real change. The Priority team have huge ambitions for the future, and you will be integral to this, offering expertise in creating activations and partnerships that deliver against KPIs and help brands grow.

Digging deeper on the details

Client Partnership and Development

• Lead the client-agency relationship at the most senior level. Become a trusted advisor to the Director of Priority and Head of Partnerships at O2
• Develop relationships with key stakeholders within and across VMO2. Understand their contribution to the business and how we can help them to deliver results
• Drive the relationship between the roster of agencies working with VMO2, ensure strategies are aligned and building towards the client’s key objectives
• Know the client’s business inside out, understand their issues and help tackle them head on. Be proactive in mining for insights and opportunities and actively engage the client in this process. Show how we can add real value to their business
• Set clear goals for new workstreams and ensure they are met
• Produce quarterly board meetings to engage lead clients, challenge their thinking and help them to produce work that drives fame
• Express ideas succinctly and with clarity to the most senior level clients. Set the tone and benchmark for your team to learn from. Show the client what they should expect from us
• Encourage a close partnership between VMO2 and tms at a senior level to ensure the longevity of the relationship and the continual development of the account
• Seek new areas within VMO2 that we can add value to and bring new solutions forward

Project Management

• Have oversight of the account workings and current workstreams to ensure you can advise the Senior Account Director and Account Director should issues arise
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the wider agency to build effective teams for new workstreams with the ambition of delivering extraordinary work
• Work with the Operations Leads to develop effective processes for the newly focused account and to accommodate the larger Client Service team. Ensure the team is clear and set up for success
• Direct change on how the business reviews performance and shares results
• Oversee the delivery of new post project reviews and evaluation reports on the account. Advise the Senior Account Director on how best to present results and implement outputs

Account Management

• Lead from the front and drive forward the vision for VMO2 in 20265. Be a key player alongside the Strategy and Innovation Lead and ensure our strategic expertise continues to be highly valued
• Work in partnership with the Strategy and Innovation Lead to develop research, create insights and a roadmap to deliver on the client’s key objectives
• Interrogate our current partnerships and workstreams to assess how they can be optimized to create opportunities for tms and solutions that set the client apart from its competitors
• Client contract negotiation and oversight of all finances on the account is expected. Support the Senior Account Director and Account Director in managing financial reporting, budgeting and help them to develop robust processes
• Ensure profitability and budget targets are met
• Ensure the Account Managers and Account Executives are upskilled in financial management
• Have oversight of partnership management on the account to advise your team where needed and spot opportunities where possible

Team Management and Agency Leadership

• Be a clear leader within the agency and become the face of Priority and rasing the profile within tms
• Champion the work you and your team deliver for our client at internal events both in London and internationally
• Drive culture within the agency and be seen to be developing relationships at a senior level across teams, encourage knowledge sharing within the business
• Produce development plans for your direct reports: a Senior Account Director and an Account Director, supporting them to reach their full potential
• Support your direct reports in managing the full team: an Account Manager, 2 x Account Executives and a Delivery Executive, understanding the different levels of support they require
• Ensure the whole team feels motivated and are visibly progressing in their roles. Provide learning opportunities where possible
• Take responsibility for creating the correct structure for the Priority team. Ensure everyone feels supported
• Manage upwards and provide the internal senior management team with confidence in your leadership and your relationship with the client
• Act as an inspiring leader across your direct team and project teams, ensuring work delivers on both internal and client objectives
• Champion diversity and inclusion with meaningful actions and commitment to change and building a stronger community

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO HAVE

You will have a solid background as an agency leader and experience in creating fame for brands. You’re an inspirational people manager, who can drive growth for the business whilst also helping others to stay motivated, develop and work as a team. You will know what makes consumers tick and how to build campaigns that exceed client expectations and deliver on KPIs.

• Experience of working in an integrated agency environment or client side at a senior level. Previous GAD experience is desirable.
• Solid knowledge of how to create effective brand campaigns TTL, as well as experience within the partnerships and loyalty space
• Proven ability to be a real leader and inspire your team so they feel motivated and eager to learn from you
• Demonstrable experience of managing large client accounts (in terms of revenue)
• Experience in developing agency process, managing large teams and their varying development needs
• Strong strategic thinking skills with demonstrable experience of driving forward high-profile accounts
• Experience in successfully building rapport and influencing C-level stakeholders
• Strong financial acumen and contract negotiation skills are a must
• The ability to present ideas with enthusiasm and confidence to the most senior level clients, understand your audience and ensure your message is clear

If you have any questions about the job, we are open to discussing this role further so please feel free to get in touch. #LI-KP1 #LI-HYBRID