Account Director jobs
Winning new clients is a high-energy job, with a high potential for blind alleys and expended time between successful campaigns. That’s why it’s highly cost effective to devote quality time and resources to retaining existing clients. For that, skilled account directors are required.
In larger logistics companies, account directors will have a team of account managers underneath them, and they will deal directly with clients on a one-to-one basis; clients generally like to be dealing with the same person, who will know their needs and issues. Account directors will oversee the whole customer retention operation, and will be responsible for strategic decisions to this end, but not necessarily the micromanagement of order fulfilment. The account director may also have responsibility for organising and instructing a sales team in order to win new clients, as well as seeking out new openings with existing clients and their partners.
Reporting to the company management, he or she will be expected to explain decisions and actions and provide regular reports. Any problems that cannot be addressed by the account managers will become the account director’s responsibility, followed ultimately by the management’s.
Maintaining morale will be an important role, both in the clients and in your own team. Whether this means treading on egg shells or throwing a party will depend on the relationship!
The skills required
Interpersonal skills, particularly diplomacy, will be a key skill of the account director. Since different clients will have different needs and desires, from methods of payment to hours of work to corporate personality, you will need to have an instinct for switching demeanour at the sound of a ringing phone.
Sales and marketing experience will be extremely useful, as selling one’s company’s benefits does not end with the winning of a client; they will probably be constantly seeking out other deals to reduce their overheads, and you will need to be able to convince them that your company is the best option for them. You’ll need the confidence to be able to make important decisions without constant recourse to senior management.
Account Director Jobs in Hampshire
A county located on the southern coast of England, and sharing borders with Dorset, Berkshire, Wiltshire, West Sussex and Surrey, Hampshire is the largest county in the south-east and is home to a number of important settlements including Portsmouth, Southampton, Basingstoke and Winchester. It's a good choice for those seeking Account Director vacancies.
People have been living in the Hampshire region for thousands of years, with Neolithic settlers building hill forts and farms in the area. The Celts, Saxons, Angles, Romans and Normans also had communities here.
The port towns of Portsmouth and Southampton have long been important points for trade with the rest of the world, particularly with America in the 17th to 19th centuries. The Titanic set sail for her ill-fated maiden voyage from Southampton in 1912. Today, the city is a major port for cruise ships - it is home to the headquarters of Carnival UK - and it also processes a significant number of cargo and container ships.
Just some of the many companies based in Hampshire today include BAE Systems Surface Ships, IBM, Zurich, The Automobile Association, Motorola and Sony Professional Solutions.
Ford has an assembly plant in Hampshire, which primarily manufactures the brand's Transit models, while the region is also known for its pharmaceuticals, insurance, communications, IT and electronics sectors.
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To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit an Account Director for your business or find you a job as an Account Director then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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