Account Director

Inspired Thinking Group · London

This is an exciting opportunity to coordinate and facilitate the production and delivery of in-store Point of Sale (POS) for the M&S Food account. The Account Director works directly with the M&S Marketing in store team, liaising with key stakeholders and is responsible for the keeping of all campaigns within budget and on time.

The role exists in support of both the Transformation Director and ITG Business Director and is integral to the effective running of the marketing function within M&S Food, coordinating the delivery of all administrative elements of marketing campaigns and activity. Working closely with various M&S teams, the role will involve leading the ITG team to hit key critical path deadlines so that artworks, production briefs and costs are approved by key stakeholders when required, in turn allowing for a seamless campaign delivery to stores.

Key Responsibilities:

Line managing and developing Senior Account Managers within the team, providing clear direction, support and regular feedback to ensure a high standard of delivery across all campaigns.
Acting as the point of escalation for the team & M&S, proactively resolving issues, removing blockers and ensuring campaigns remain on track.
Leading by example in ways of working, setting the standard for pace, organisation, attention to detail and stakeholder management.
Being the key day-to-day contact for M&S stakeholders, building trusted relationships and ensuring confidence in the ITG team’s delivery.
Driving momentum across projects, keeping activity moving at pace and ensuring all teams are aligned to critical path deadlines.
Supporting the Senior Account Managers in overseeing workflow across the account, helping to prioritise team resource and manage competing business demands.
Coaching team members to strengthen their commercial awareness, decision making and confidence in managing client relationships.
Ensuring communication across internal and client teams is clear, proactive and solutions-focused, particularly during busy campaign periods or when timelines are under pressure.
Taking ownership of campaign delivery standards across the team, ensuring all work is completed accurately, on time and in line with client expectations.
Creating a positive, accountable team culture that encourages collaboration, consistency and high performance.
Receiving briefs from the M&S Instore team – clearly communicating timelines, steps that will be followed and costs to be incurred.

Linking all briefs back to your direct teams and managing the relationships between M&S Marketing and ITG team to ensure campaigns run smoothly and artwork can be approved in good time.
Maintain and manage a great relationship with ITG Artwork Production Team (this team are based in Birmingham at ITG Head Office). Flag urgent or large campaigns in advance, giving them realistic deadlines in order to manage our studios resource and client’s expectations of when artworks will be fulfilled
Ensure all M&S cost trackers and budgets are kept up to date. Ensure costs are communicated regularly with M&S marketing.
Overview the ITG finance management across the entire M&S account and communicate clearly with the ITG Business Director and M&S Fashion, Home & Beauty Account Directors.
Support the implementation of the ITG Tech platforms, playing a key role in ensuring client communication is delivered clearly and in a timely manner. Proactively support change management across both M&S and ITG.

Requirements

First and foremost, you should be a people person. You should be able to demonstrate exceptional people skills and be a customer-focused fanatic.
Previous experience of working in an agency environment with Advertising experience would be an advantage.
Have a good knowledge of creative processes and a thorough understanding of in-store POS.
You won’t be micromanaged here, the ability to manage your own time and deliver quality with speed is essential.
Hold strong experience with project management and trafficking multiple projects in tandem, which may be at different points in the creative process.
A background in retail would be an advantage but is not necessary.
Attention to detail is an absolute key skill to uphold and deliver – you will be managing more than one project at any given time, so managing your time effectively is crucial.
Comfortable in interacting with an enthusiastic and committed team – whilst being part of ITG, you will also be part of the wider M&S team.
Previous experience in a leadership or line management role, with the ability to motivate, support and develop others.
Confident in acting as a senior day-to-day client contact - building strong, credible relationships with key stakeholders.
Able to work at pace in a fast-moving retail environment, balancing multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and control.
A natural problem solver who remains calm under pressure and can confidently manage escalations.

Benefits

Work’s a treat!

Perks at ITG — alongside a competitive salary, here's what you can look forward to:

Time off that works for you — 25 days' holiday + bank holidays, a paid Wellbeing Day, flexible bank holidays to honour cultural or religious observances, and the option to buy or carry over up to 5 extra days.
Flexibility & lifestyle — Smart Working with up to 40% from home, and after 12 months, the option to work from abroad for up to 90 days a year.
Family & life milestones — Enhanced family friendly leave, 3 extra days for your wedding/honeymoon, and an Employee Assistance Programme whenever you need support.
Financial perks — Pension scheme, Corporate Medical Cash Plan, electric car salary sacrifice scheme, and tax-efficient payroll giving to your favourite charities.
Growth & recognition — Funding for professional qualifications, monthly Employee of the Month awards (£250 bonus), and referral bonuses of up to £1,500.
Community & wellbeing — Regular Wellbeing Workshops, 30+ Wellbeing Champions, a paid Volunteer Day, and an online perks platform with discounts on top brands, days out, and gym memberships.

We Value Diversity

We champion and welcome diversity in our workforce and ensure all job applicants receive equal and fair treatment, regardless of age, race, gender or gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or nationality.

We are not only committed to increasing the visibility and recognition of talent from under-represented groups within our organisation, but the wider industry too.

At the end of the day, we make sure we take time to look after ourselves, each other, and the planet, because we’re always stronger together.

ITG have a number of community groups available to employees and exist to offer a safe space for like-minded colleagues, with shared interests to connect, socialise and check in with each other.

What next?
If you found yourself interested in knowing more, drop us your application and someone from our team will be in touch.

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