Account Director

Account Director, Strategic Communications (Luxury Travel)

London (Hybrid) | £55,000 to £60,000 DOE

About the company

Our client is a leading global luxury marketing group that brings data and performance, content and creativity, and experiences and communications together under one roof.

About the Strategic Communications division

The Strategic Communications team are global partners to brands that define their categories, specialising in integrated communications for luxury, ultra-luxury and lifestyle. Every creative idea is rooted in business strategy, and every story is designed to deliver a commercial outcome. The team brings a CMO’s focus on growth to storytelling, so the work doesn’t just make headlines, it drives measurable growth in clients’ audience, leads, engagement and revenue.

The opportunity

We are looking for an Account Director to help shape the future of luxury engagement. This role suits a strategic thinker who believes data should inform creativity, not limit it. You will oversee a portfolio of luxury travel and hotel brands, developing and leading integrated communications strategies that connect clients with high-value audiences. You will work alongside strategists, creatives and data specialists to deliver campaigns that are as effective as they are elegant.

Key responsibilities

Client management

• Act as primary client contact, providing strategic counsel and direction to clients and the team
• Develop and implement account strategy, ensuring plans are delivered against client objectives
• Own client satisfaction, retention and results, proactively strengthening relationships
• Add value through insight rooted in industry knowledge, research and market analysis
• Stay on top of industry news and trends
• Edit and approve press materials, plans, proposals, partnership decks, agendas and reports
• Handle client issues independently, escalating to senior leadership with a recommended solution where needed
• Manage crisis communications with guidance from senior leadership
• Lead ideation for campaigns, strategic events and brand partnerships

Media relations

• Build strong relationships with UK media, with a focus on A-list journalists and influencers
• Develop and pitch story ideas aligned with client goals and the needs of key outlets
• Oversee media list creation and lead high-level journalist outreach
• Guide the team in building media relationships that deliver results
• Secure strong, consistent, targeted coverage with clear measurement

Business development

• Identify opportunities to deepen client relationships at multiple levels
• Grow accounts and maximise client spend, including upselling services
• Support new business development
• Work closely with international teams and leaders across all offices to keep work aligned with the overall company strategy

About you

• At least 5 years’ PR experience, most of it in travel, hospitality or luxury lifestyle
• Experience advising senior client stakeholders on media strategy and brand partnerships
• Long-standing relationships with journalists and influencers
• Commercially minded, naturally curious and always across what’s happening in travel, hospitality and luxury
• Hands-on and highly organised, comfortable running multi-channel campaigns across several clients at once
• Polished and professional, bringing energy and creativity to everything you do

What’s on offer

• Purposeful impact: shape strategies that connect iconic and emerging luxury brands with high-value audiences worldwide
• Inspired culture: a warm, passionate team where bold thinking and collaboration are celebrated
• Growth and development: clear progression pathways, mentorship and learning at the forefront of luxury marketing
• Benefits: competitive salary, health and wellness benefits and unlimited holiday

Our hiring promise

We use screening questions and the information shared publicly on your LinkedIn profile to check the minimum requirements for this role. If you don’t appear to meet them, we’ll always tell you, and you can ask for a real person to review your application. Every application that meets the minimum requirements is read by a person on the People Like Us team.

We’ll be in touch with shortlisted candidates to arrange next steps.