Account Director – Corporate Communications

Work set-up: Hybrid (4 days per week in-office, 1-day WFH)

Our client, a corporate communications and technology consultancy that helps organizations improve stakeholder engagement through communication strategy, branding, digital platforms, intranets, apps, and communication-focused technology solutions is seeking an Account Director – Corporate Communications to join their team. They are looking for a strategic heavyweight who thrives at the intersection of business goals and breakthrough strategic and creative thinking. In this role, you aren’t just a point of contact for our clients; you are their business partner. You will sit at the heart of the consultancy, balancing the needs of demanding clients with the ambitions and abilities of the creative team.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the commercial and brand health of accounts, the professional growth of the team, and the growth of the business.

What you will do:

• Establish, manage and nurture client relationships across all levels of the client’s business.
• The ability to embed yourself into the business and act as a trusted advisor to senior-level clients (CMOs, Brand Managers, HR, c-suite level executives, heads of departments etc.) - ensuring you understand their business model as well as they do.
• Develop in-depth, long-term brand and communications strategies.
• The ability to work with various PR agencies, across the African continent.
• The ability to create strategies for social media (SoMe) and digital platform in partnership with specialist agencies for implementation.
• Lead the development of strategies, campaigns and creative briefs that don’t just “full fill tasks” but move the needle for the client’s business.
• Own financial stewardship - be responsible for forecasting, revenue targets, and ensuring projects remain profitable.
• Be able to confidently lead high-stakes meetings and present complex strategies.
• Manage and mentor a team of Account Managers and Executives, ensuring they have the tools and “soft skill” to manage daily client interaction and needs.
• Scope project requirements and prepare a budget.
• Brief creative team with clear briefs and objectives – briefs need to be concise, realistic and showcase an understanding of the creative process.
• Lead strategy for new business pitches, as well as project manage the pitch process.
• Monitor campaigns and projects, including identifying and implementing key metrics to measure success.
• Analyse and compile reports for internal use and for clients on the success of campaigns.
• Proactively identify “un-briefed” opportunities to solve client problems, effectively growing the account’s scope and revenue.
• Manage external stakeholders, including freelancers, production houses and suppliers.
• Ensure project profitability and costs remain within budget.
• Keep key stakeholders up to date on the project status.
• Identify and highlight risks or areas of concern and proactively manage to reduce the risk and or resolve the issue.
• Review project resources (internal and external) and provide analysis on whether they meet the demands of the projects assigned to them, ensure deadlines are met and the quality of the service meets the scope of the project.
• Ensure clients are invoiced timeously.
• Maintain high client satisfaction scores and multi-year contract renewals.
• Mentor and guide the account management team.
• Perform performance evaluations for account management team.

• A bachelor’s degree in branding, brand communication, business administration or related field.
• 10 – 15 years in the industry and with at least 5 years of experience as an Account Director.
• Exceptional leadership and team management abilities to inspire and guide account team.
• Familiarity in project managements tools (Magnetic, Slack etc.) and presentation software for creating and delivering presentations (PPTX and Keynote). Proficiency in MS suite.
• Ability to work well under pressure, multitask and meet strict deadlines.
• Ability to work well with all levels of clients, staff, partners, suppliers etc.
• Have in-depth knowledge of brand development and multichannel marketing models.
• Proven track record of managing large-scale, integrated campaigns (TV, Digital, Social, OOH etc).
• Strong leadership skills with experience managing at least 3 - 4 direct reports.
• Ability to communicate well with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to deliver projects on time and within budget.
• Brilliant interpersonal and communication skills.
• Previous experience as a brand manager, marketing manager, or in a similar corporate communications role, with a deep understanding of corporate structures, business strategies, and B2B/B2C communication requirements.
• A track record of leading or supporting brand positioning, public relations, and integrated communication campaigns.

Candidates must be legally authorized to live and work in the country where the position is based, without requiring employer sponsorship.

HelloKindred is committed to fair, transparent, and inclusive hiring practices. We assess candidates based on skills, experience, and role-related requirements.

We appreciate your interest in this opportunity. While we review every application carefully, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

HelloKindred is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.