Job Description
Account Director
Location: Chiswick W4, London (Hybrid, minimum 3 days in the office)
Type: Full-time
About 16K Agency:
16K Agency is a leading creative & social media agency based in London, specialising in Formula 1 and global sport. We collaborate with global brands, including sponsors, teams, and rights holders, to produce compelling content in various forms across mixed digital platforms.
Our team thrives in fast-paced environments and constantly pushes the boundaries of what’s possible. This role offers a compelling opportunity for the right candidate to shape their position to fit their strengths, impact positive change and grow with the company.
Role Overview
We are looking for a commercially sharp, confident Account Director to lead and elevate our client relationships across 16K Agency.
This is a senior role reporting directly to the CEO whilst working alongside other senior members of the 16K team. You will lead and grow the Client Accounts team and will oversee a mixed portfolio of retainers and project-based work across global brands, rights holders and event partners within sport.
The focus is simple:
* Unlock growth
* Protect and increase margins
* Stabilise delivery & ensure quality
* Elevate client success
* Lead and grow your team
You will manage the Client Account function, oversee all retainer and project client relationships (varying in scale), and take ownership of scope control, pricing alignment, commercial negotiations, overall client satisfaction and team leadership and growth.
What You’ll Be Responsible ForCommercial Leadership
* Lead, nurture and grow the Client Accounts team
* Review client scopes and agency delivery to ensure alignment
* Support pricing and fee negotiations
* Manage renewals and extensions
* Identify organic growth opportunities within existing accounts
* Identify and pursue new opportunities in the market
* Monitor and advise on account profitability across production and retainers
* Understand event cost structures and manage budget delivery
Client Success
* Act as a senior point of contact for clients
* Elevate onboarding standards and client communication
* Maintain strong relationships with global brands operating in high-pressure environments
* Push back confidently and strategically advise where required
Operational Oversight
* Ensure contracts move quickly and efficiently
* Remove friction in onboarding and project kick-off
* Work closely with production and creative to ensure scopes are commercially viable
* Improve processes that currently slow down delivery
Leadership
* Manage, mentor & grow the Client Accounts team
* Raise standards across client servicing
* Challenge thinking internally when needed
* Bring calm, assertive energy to high-pressure moments
What We’re Looking For
* 5–8+ years in agency account leadership
* Experience managing client accounts of £100k +
* Background in sport, sponsorship rights or creative agency environments
* Comfortable handling multiple accounts at once
* Strong commercial instincts
* Calm under pressure
* Confident and credible in front of clients
* Someone who challenges constructively, not emotionally
This Role Is Not For Someone Who:
* Expects 9–5pm working culture in a global sports environment
* Is not comfortable facing complex or challenging communications
* Can’t align with the agency’s commercial goals
* Needs heavy direction to take ownership
Why Join 16K?
* Work at the heart of Formula 1 and global sport
* Influence strategy and commercial direction
* Direct access to leadership
* Opportunity to lead and grow a team in a fast-growing creative agency with global ambition
* High-performance creative environment
What Success Looks Like After 6 Months
* Contract process moves faster
* Scopes are tighter
* Margin visibility improves
* Clients see improved communication and success
* Bottlenecks reduce
* Account function feels more streamlined
* Growth conversations are happening proactively
What type of person are you?
* A people person: Strong relationship & stakeholder management skills
* Pragmatism over principle: Commercially savvy, pragmatic and level-headed
* Passion without tantrums: Energetic, innovative and creative
* Let's talk: a good, concise communicator with an innate understanding and willingness to learn about other organisational and geographical cultures
* Its all about me: can work autonomously but is naturally collaborative
How To Apply
If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.
Please send your CV along with a short cover note outlining:
* Why this role interests you
* Your relevant experience within sport, events or agency environments
* Your availability and preferred contract structure (day rate or pro-rata)
Applications should be sent to: work@16kagency.com - subject: FT Account Director
If you have any questions before applying, feel free to reach out to us directly.
We’re looking to move quickly and appoint the right candidate as soon as possible.