Account Director (Fixed-Term Contract)

Here at Designworks, we’re all about creating true Aotearoa icons through design that moves people, businesses, and communities forward. We’ve been doing it for over 40 years now, and it’s all made possible by our people. This is the place where New Zealand’s best designers, thinkers, makers, and creators come together to create brands that people care about, experiences that matter and design that works.

About the Role

Designworks is hiring an Account Director to join the team on a 13-month fixed-term contract starting in May.

As part of our Client Service team at Designworks, you'll join this talented and committed team, working together to deliver best-in-class design for our clients and each other. You’ll be an excellent communicator and strong team player, working on high-profile accounts within a multi-disciplinary team. You’ll demonstrate your ability to forge strong partnerships with your clients as well as internally as a trusted advisor across a variety of brand identity projects.

These roles are varied from small to large-scale strategic, integrated brand identity work and you’ll hit the ground running from day one with responsibility for this diverse client portfolio.

We’re looking for our next Designworker to bring the energy and spark to make big things happen.

You will be the client's day-to-day lead on assigned clients and your primary areas of responsibility are client relationship planning and management, strategic project direction and management, team management, operational effectiveness, and commercial performance.

Key Responsibilities

Client advocate

• You are the internal face of the client and the internal ‘knowledge bank’ for each of your clients. Your task is to know as much about the client as they do. Your clients feel that they are your only client, they trust that you have their best interests at the forefront of all you do and view you/Designworks as a partner – not a supplier.

Brand Champion

• You are a leader and a face of the business, and you need to be seen as a brand champion – for both Designworks and your clients. Your remit is to motivate more than your direct report/s - you need to inspire, excite, and enthuse company-wide. You lead by example.
• A Strategic thinker – a strong contributor at the table, and in ensuring the direction presented both externally and internally is thought through and of Designworks standard.

Client Relationships

• Taking a lead role at various levels in fostering and maintaining client relationships – a trusted go-to partner.
• Mine opportunities alongside your fellow team members within your client portfolio.
• Build trust and respect that can withstand robust healthy discussion. Selling in the approach, statement of work, budgets, timelines, and responsibilities externally.
• Provide brand guardianship - represent the client and exercise sound judgment at key internal and client reviews to ensure high-standard strategic and creative outputs.
• Harness the internal strategic capability to deliver updates and insights to clients.

Team Management

• Promote a collaborative team environment, leading by example, coaching through interaction, and sharing best practices.
• Support in problem-solving, work quality, resource management and business problem/opportunity identification.
• Team workload planning and ensuring effective internal management across departments.

Commercial Management

• You are responsible for setting expectations around budgets and timings to ensure projects are delivered right the first time and on budget. You are financially responsible for your client/s and achieving the client's financial goals and expectations set by Designworks management.
• You have overall responsibility for your client forecasts and budgets. You have a handle on all things financial of the role (i.e., forecasting, when performance is slipping against target, invoicing/recoverability) but are not afraid to highlight concerns and ask for help when you need it.

About You

• Robust client service experience in a brand comms-led integrated agency or design studio environment is required.
• Strong Financial acumen – you have a solid understanding of the financial requirements and can identify trends /challenges as they appear.
• Highly organised and detail-orientated with the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.
• Proven ability as a true client partner - balancing the building of excellent relationships and challenging when needed.
• Excellent portfolio experience of innovative projects for a mix of blue-chip clients.
• Experience managing a range of projects – from small to large-scale strategic, integrated brand experience work.
• First-class project management skills - managing budgets, scope, and timelines.
• Experience writing successful proposals.
• A ‘can do’ attitude and team-oriented thinking is required.
• Some experience managing and mentoring junior team members.
• A love of design and creativity is essential.

What We Offer You

• Central city open plan, architecturally designed office.
• A flexible hybrid working environment to make sure work is working for you.
• The latest Apple technology to get the job done. 
• Barista quality coffee machine to fuel your caffeine fix and master your coffee art skills.
• The kitchen is stocked with endless snacks, and we enjoy breakfast together every Wednesday.
• We have many cultural rituals throughout the week to keep the vibes high, you can also join our social club for more events.
• Confidential counselling support via EAP if personal or professional life throws you a curveball.

Ready for a new challenge? We'd love to hear from you!

Please note: You will need to currently be eligible to work in New Zealand to be considered for this role.

Designworks is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and courage those of all backgrounds to apply.