Account Director Medical Communication jobs

Location: 2 days in Bournemouth office / 3 days optional WFH

About Us

Upperdog is a Bournemouth-based digital marketing agency with 14 years of success behind us and a close-knit team of 35. We’re big enough to deliver ambitious work, and small enough that you’ll know everyone’s name and see the impact of your own work. We work hard, support each other and care about doing great work for our clients, while keeping things friendly and down to earth. Want to know more? Take a look at our website or have a nose on Instagram.

Our clients range from local businesses to global brands, across both lead generation and ecommerce. They see us as their full digital partner, not just a supplier, and we look after everything from website design and development to digital strategy and the channel mix (SEO, PPC and paid social). That depth of relationship is built on trust, and it’s the foundation of our client retention and growth.

We don’t specialise in one sector, so your portfolio will stay varied and interesting. We’ve built a strong reputation in travel, automotive, healthcare and home interiors, giving you the chance to shape our approach in these areas and help us grow in new ones.

Role Summary

As Upperdog continues to grow, we're looking for a Client Services Director to lead the people agency-wide who manage client relationships. You’ll set the standard for how we work with clients, guide the team to deliver ambitious, joined-up strategies across every discipline, and help steer the agency’s growth.

You will be the senior contact for client accounts; understanding everything about their business, what they want to achieve and how they'll measure our performance as an agency.

The ideal candidate for this role will possess strong digital marketing knowledge, leadership skills, exceptional organisational abilities, and exemplary communication skills. Previous experience in a similar role within an agency is essential alongside a track record of long-lasting client relationships.

This role reports into the Managing Director and works closely alongside our Production Director, Head of Marketing Ops and Head of Paid Media.

Client Leadership

• Own senior-level client relationships, building long-term partnerships founded on trust and results
• For our biggest accounts: lead strategic conversations, prepare agendas and presentations, run meetings, and handle challenging discussions with confidence, always leaving clients with clear, actionable outcomes
• Retain and grow our client accounts, spotting opportunities to expand the work we do

Strategy and Performance

• Work with our internal teams to respond to client briefs, allocate the right resources, and shape forward-thinking, data-backed digital strategies
• Make sure every strategy is optimised and aligned to each client’s KPIs

Delivery and Profitability

• Oversee client retainers and projects, keeping work on budget and profitable
• Partner with our account and project management teams to maintain the high standards our clients expect

Leading Our People

• Inspire, develop and support your team through training and coaching
• Report on business performance and client insight to the Directors

What You’ll Bring

• 6+ years’ digital agency experience, including at least 2 years in a senior role
• Exceptional written and verbal communication, with confidence presenting to clients and handling difficult conversations with a solution-focused approach
• Proven leadership skills, with the ability to give direction, motivate a team, delegate effectively and take accountability for delivery
• A strategic mind and a commercial mindset, with proactive, solution-oriented thinking
• Strong organisation, time management and attention to detail, with the ability to prioritise a demanding workload
• Familiarity with project management tools such as Synergist, Basecamp or Jira, or the ability to pick them up quickly
• A genuine passion for digital marketing and a collaborative, team-first approach

What benefits can Upperdog offer you?

• Hybrid and flexible working – working in our Bournemouth office Tuesday and Wednesday, with optional WFH for remainder of the week
• Private healthcare – Including mental health support, therapies and diagnostic
• 30 days of annual leave from your first day, plus Bank Holidays
• Development and events contribution – £500 per year towards any additional learning such as online courses, subscriptions or reading materials to help you expand your knowledge
• Gym membership / subsidised parking
• Referral fee – bonus referral for any new starter or client
• Monthly team lunches
• Quarterly team building – from the New Forest water park to crazy golf!
• Dog friendly office
• Quarterly appraisals – which clear objectives, training and development plans and discussions on career progressions
• Pension scheme
• Good office location in central Bournemouth with nearby shops and cafes, located next to the gardens and 5 minutes from the beach
• And more…

Salary: Dependent on candidate

For more information and to ensure your details reach the correct person, please email careers@upperdog.co.uk with a copy of your CV and an introductory email. You will hear back within 28 days to confirm if we’d like to invite you to interview. Please no recruitment agencies.

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Company events
• Company pension
• Private medical insurance

Experience:

• Marketing Agency: 6 years (required)
• Client management: 3 years (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Location:

• Bournemouth, Dorset (required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Bournemouth