We’re hiring: Head of Client Services / Account Director

About the role

We are a consciously small senior team and one of the things that translates to is a ‘get stuck in’ mentality. We don’t have layers of account managers or execs that you’ll be managing, and currently, there are no plans to bring them in. So this is a role for someone who’s willing to sweat the big and small stuff, is a strategic thinker but also finds joy in the day-to-day tasks, while also having the experience and gravitas to lead on our key accounts. 

It goes without saying that you’ll be able to build and maintain strong relationships with clients by providing exemplary levels of customer service and be capable of managing and delivering often complex projects for clients within agreed budgets and timescales.

Being the face of client services, we need someone with the perfect mix of personality, authenticity and warmth, but backed up by substance, exacting standards and drive. Culturally we believe in the carrot over the stick, and that whilst everyone will have their quirks and failings, with the right approach we can get the best out of each other and our clients. 

Talking of clients, their size, industry, and type vary a great deal but the common denominators are that each one will either be purposeful, people-positive, progressive, or all three. We believe in working with people that we like and share a cultural connection with, but that doesn’t mean it’s all fluffy and huggy: we work hard for our clients, putting their needs first and having empathy for the challenges on their desks. This is a role that needs a high level of intuition and the belief in doing what’s right, not what’s easy. 

It is essential that you come from an agency background and have a number of years of experience in a similar client facing role. Our core offer centres around delivering work for brand, identity and digital projects and we are ideally looking for someone with experience in all these areas, although we recognise that this is ideal and there are often weightings in this experience. 

We cannot underestimate the importance of ‘team’ in Salad, and whilst you will undoubtedly have the freedom and autonomy to make decisions, this needs to be accompanied by truly generous levels of internal communication. We’re not a big corporate organisation, we’re a team who work together with the highest levels of respect and collaboration, whilst also holding each other accountable.  

The deadline for applications is 1 August 2024.

Employee ownership and our future vision

Since April 2021 Salad has been employee-owned. This means that ownership of the company is held in trust for the benefit of the employees. You will qualify to become a beneficiary after 1 year but we’ll include you in all conversations and meetings from day one. 

We have an open and democratic culture. This includes quarterly all-agency vision days where we will collectively discuss topics such as goal setting, finances and culture.

Ultimately this role is an opportunity to come in and help us develop our culture and be part of defining where we’re going as a business. We hope you’ll consider this your new home and stay for a long time; we think there’s a lot of great things we can do together.

Other stuff you’ll probably want to know

The hours are Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5.30pm. We see this as a full-time position but would consider a case for 4 days a week.

We have an office on Poole Quay in Dorset but we’re predominantly remote. We typically spend 1-2 days a week in the office although would expect this to increase for the first few months following your start date.

• Holiday allowance is 20 days, increasing a day a year up until 25 days + bank holidays + the time between Christmas and New Year off
• Additional day off for your birthday 
• Death in Service policy 
• Regular team events 
• EOT beneficiary payments after 1 year of service 

How to apply

If you like the sound of this, please drop our MD, Bella an email at [email protected] 

Don’t forget to include your CV and/or a link to your LinkedIn profile along with an introduction explaining why you think you’d be the perfect fit.

P.S. No offence, but no agencies, please.

112 Chistlehurst Road