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 Hull
Located in Yorkshire, on the Humber Estuary, Kingston upon Hull - or simply Hull - has been inhabited since the Neolithic period. After King Edward I granted it a royal charter in 1299, it became a thriving market town, as well as a military supply port and a centre for fishing and whaling.
From the Medieval period through to the Industrial Revolution, the easily navigable waters of the River Hull helped the town prosper as a trading hub with Scotland, as well as northern Europe and Scandinavia, while some products came from as far away as Australia and South America.
The large amount of wealth that came into the region during 1800s led to a number of fine Victorian buildings, such as the Dock Offices, which house the Hull Maritime Museum today. Unfortunately, many of these beautiful buildings were lost during World War II, as around 95 per cent of the homes in the city were destroyed during the Hull Blitz.
Since then, Hull has been rebuilt and the city has remained an important port for industry, while a number of ferries provide transport to Europe for around a million travellers every year.
Those seeking Account Director jobs in Hull will find that the region offers a variety of opportunities, with big-name companies like BP, Reckitt Benckiser and Seven Seas all having a large presence. In addition, an Enterprise Zone has been established in a bid to attract OEMs in the renewable energy industry to the area.
Popular locations
Discover logistics opportunities with Cast UK
Cast UK’s recruitment consultants can help you take the next step in your logistics career, if you're looking for a promotion or simply want to change employer.
We work alongside hundreds of UK employers to ensure their new positions are filled by the best people. We only employ – and are founded and managed by – people with experience in logistics, supply chain and procurement.
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.
Contact us