What we're looking for

We like to work with mavericks. Wild cards. Brilliant, empathetic, creative and strategic thinkers. Talented individuals who are comfortable enough to be independent, but humble enough to know they don’t know it all. We believe in being seriously playful. Making the work the most impactful it can be, and having some fun along the way. If that appeals to you then you’re reading the right job spec.

Topline Role Overview

As an Account Director at Founders Makers, you sit at the centre of everything. You’re the link between clients and the team; you help define what we do and how well we do it.

This isn’t just about managing accounts. It’s about building strong, honest relationships, bringing clear thinking to the table, and helping shape work that actually makes an impact. You’ll be someone who adds value in every conversation - whether that’s guiding a client, sharpening a brief, or pushing an idea further.

You’re confident in your point of view, but pragmatic in how you get things done. You know when to challenge, when to listen, and how to move things forward without overcomplicating them.

Most importantly, you care about the work. You want it to be smart, well-crafted, and effective. You’re willing to push for that, both with clients and internally.

This role sits at the heart of the agency: turning ambition into action, and good relationships into long-term partnerships.

Role: Account Director

Salary: £50k - £65k (dependent on experience)

Start: Immediately

Hours: 9 - 6pm (but actually)

Location: Shoreditch, we do three days in office, two days WFH.

Training: Individual training budgets for all members of the team

Holidays: 20 days - not including public holidays, birthday or our 2-week break over Christmas

Work From Anywhere: up to 20 days each year

Dog Friendly

Responsibilities

Leading great work, building strong relationships and creating long-term partnerships.

Key responsibilities include:

• Be the person clients rely on. Build strong, honest relationships and make sure we’re focused on what actually matters - not just what’s been asked for.
• Grow your accounts in a natural way. Spot opportunities, start the conversation, and turn good work into longer-term partnerships.
• Help shape the direction of brands and campaigns with a strong point of view, not just process.
• See projects through from start to finish. From early ideas to final delivery, make sure everything runs smoothly and lands well.
• Push for high standards. Care about the quality of the work and don’t let things slip - whether it’s the idea, the detail, or the delivery.
• Lead the important moments - presentations, working sessions, campaign launches. Keep things simple, clear and engaging.
• Stay on top of budgets and scope. Keep things running efficiently and make sure the work works commercially.
• Use data, insight and new tools (including AI) in a practical way to improve the work, not overcomplicate it.
• Speak up for the client internally, but know when to challenge them if it leads to a better outcome.
• Support and guide the team. Help people do their best work without over-directing them.
• Work closely with strategy, creative and production to get good ideas out into the world properly.

Requirements

• 6+ years of experience in a creative agency, managing multiple accounts and with proven portfolio growth outcomes.
• Comfortable working across all aspects of project delivery, effectively managing up and down.
• A natural relationship builder with the gravitas and emotional intelligence to engage confidently with founders and senior stakeholders.
• Exceptional account leadership across the full commercial spectrum; from managing project health and profitability, to identifying and converting organic growth opportunities.
• Strong communication skills, both in person and in writing; demonstrating the presence to hold a room of senior stakeholders and the instinct to know when to listen rather than lead.
• Proven ability to mentor and develop junior team members, fostering a high-performance culture that reflects the standards our clients expect.
• Highly creative and commercially minded in equal measure. Able to contribute meaningfully to strategic and creative development, not just manage the process around it.
• Comfortable operating in a hybrid model, with regular in-office presence and scheduling regular client face time.
• FMCG and packaging experience is desirable, but not essential.

Who We Work With

We work with the leading challengers, scaleups and legacy brands looking to scale. People, brands and organisations that range from household names to challengers looking to make their mark. What unites them? They’re nice people, with big ambitions to impact their industries and who trust us to help them do just that.

How to Apply

Once you’ve read the above and are happy with the job requirements and salary range, please send your CV and portfolio to iwannawork@founders-makers.com and cc in our Head of Client Partnerships, Merryn Mackinnon on merryn@founders-makers.com.