Although every agency is different, an account or project team is typically made up of an Account or Project Director, one or more Senior Account or Project Managers, one or more Account or Project Managers and one or more Account or Project Executives. Each account team will usually have specific clients allocated to them and they will be responsible for running all events for these clients.

The Account Director will still have event planning responsibilities both pre-event, on-site and post event, but at this level the role is more focussed on winning new business, strategically developing existing accounts and ensuring that the services provided deliver on the required outcomes and provide return on investment. The Account Director will be responsible for the overall quality, success and profitability of the events that are run in their team and for the recruitment and development of their team members. 

Typical duties of the Account Director will include: -
  • Build strong relationships with new and existing clients, understanding clients’ key objectives and advising on event concepts
  • Pitching to new and existing clients
  • Identifying areas of account development and upselling services
  • Budget responsibility for multiple projects and events
  • Responsibility for perfectly executed events
  • Recruitment and training of staff
  • On-site support with events
Skills, Experience and Personality Needed
  • The ability to juggle lots of balls in the air at once for multiple clients 
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills are needed for this role as you’ll be liaising with a variety of different people at all levels
  • Energy, enthusiasm, and a passion for events
  • Outgoing and confident and with a can do attitude
  • An eye for detail
  • Experience leading a range of events across the world
  • Excellent leadership skills with experience of managing multiple teams
  • Creative approach to problem solving
  • Good IT skills are essential as you’ll most likely be working across Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher, and Access and will need a solid understanding of Apps and Virtual Platforms
  • A driving licence will be essential as they will likely be lots of in person client meetings
Benefits and Considerations
  • This is a full-time role and one which at times will require longer working hours
  • This role often offers a pathway into management roles
  • It can be very stressful and there are lots of big personalities in the industry
  • There could be a lot of on-site work both midweek and weekends which means travelling to new cities and venues, most of which will be 4 or 5 stars
  • On-site hours can be very long with early morning starts and very late nights
  • It’s a young and vibrant industry that’s generally fun and with lots of internal industry events and networking. So, a great place to meet new and like minded people
  • Agencies are often invited on familiarisation visits across the world and generally these are shared (as appropriate) amongst the team