Account Director

BRAND: Starcom
Job Function: Client Management
Location: London, United Kingdom
Experience Level: Specialist
Workplace Type: Hybrid

Company description

With a history that dates back over 80 years, Starcom is a global communications planning and media leader. We are an agency still grounded in our founding principle that people are at the centre of all we do. Each day, we apply this belief to harness the transformative power of data and technology to inspire and move people and business forward. With more than 7,000 employees in over 100 offices around the world, we are the flagship Publicis Media agency that uses our 'Power of One' business model, with teams that span multiple disciplines across clients such as Aldi, P&G, Primark, Samsung, Stellantis, and Visa.

We place a huge focus on our People, and have driven flagship D&I and L&D programmes within Publicis Media; our goal is to help every individual reach their fullest potential, and we encourage everyone to make "Brave Plays" in how they approach their work and their own career development. As a result, we have an exceptionally energised and committed talent base, all of us proud of our welcoming and supportive culture, as evidenced by our recognition as one of Campaign's Best Places to Work for five years in a row, Media Week's Agency of the Year 2025 and one of the Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2025.

Overview

We are hiring two Account Directors to join our Starcom team, partnering with one of the world's most iconic and innovative brands, Samsung. These roles sit at the heart of the Samsung UK media account, shaping strategy, strengthening partnerships and driving meaningful business growth. One role focuses on Homeware (including TVs, tablets and kitchen appliances), while the other spans the Smartphone category, offering the chance to specialise while collaborating across a wider connected ecosystem. If you're excited by variety, craft and impact, this is an opportunity to make your mark.

What you'll be doing

• Acting as a senior, trusted day-to-day partner to the Samsung UK media team, owning relationships across your category
• Leading strategic media planning that reflects the individuality of each product within the Samsung portfolio
• Shaping and delivering best-in-class planning output across either Homeware or Smartphones, while collaborating closely with adjacent teams
• Working hand-in-hand with activation, data, content and commerce specialists to deliver joined-up, insight-led solutions
• Supporting the Business Director on account growth, innovation and longer-term strategic vision
• Creating clarity and momentum across projects, ensuring high standards, smooth delivery and strong outcomes
• Playing an active role in building an inclusive, curious and supportive team culture within Starcom

Skills we're looking for

• Experience leading media planning and account management within an agency environment
• A track record of building trusted, collaborative client relationships
• Strong strategic thinking, with the ability to turn insight into clear, compelling plans
• Confidence managing complexity across large, high-profile brands or portfolios
• A thoughtful leadership style that supports team development and high-quality output
• Solid understanding of cross-channel communications planning across the full funnel
• Interest in, or experience within, the technology or consumer electronics category

If you don't meet every point above, we'd still love to hear from you. We value capability, potential and perspective over ticking every box.

Additional information

Starcom offers a wide range of benefits to support our employees. Full details are shared when you join, but highlights include core benefits such as Pension, Life Assurance, and Private Medical cover, alongside enhanced policies like Reflection Days and Shared Parental Leave. You'll also have access to a range of additional initiatives, including:

Please check out the Publicis Career Page which showcases our Inclusive Benefits and our EAG's (Employee Action Groups).

Publicis Groupe works primarily from the office or our clients' office four days per week.

At Starcom , we are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, and do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, disability, age, citizenship, relationship status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic.

We are committed to providing a fair, accessible, and inclusive recruitment process. If you have any access needs - for example, related to disability, neurodivergence, or a health condition - please let us know. We'll work with you to ensure the process works for you. Sharing this information will never impact your application.

Guided by our values, we listen with empathy, uplift each other, take responsibility, and embrace change - building a culture where everyone feels seen, respected, and genuinely included.

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