We're hiring: Senior Account Director - Web / Digital Products (Maternity Cover)

We are seeking a highly organised and technically astute Account Director to join our Web (digital products) team.

We are looking for a highly experienced and technically literate Senior Account Director to join our Web (digital products) team for a 12-month maternity cover.

Reporting directly to the COO, you will serve as the strategic and operational lead for our digital product and web development accounts. You will manage high-value web builds, act as the senior strategic contact for key non-profit stakeholders, drive commercial growth, and line-manage a dedicated team of Account Directors and Account Executives.

While holding senior accountability for the account portfolio, you will work closely alongside our Head of Design and Lead Developer, combining strategic vision with deep creative and technical expertise.

Ideally, you are someone with extensive experience in a digital agency or tech consultancy, with a proven track record of overseeing complex non-profit or commercial web projects (£100k+). You bring a strong blend of technical literacy (CMS, UX/UI, accessibility, system integrations), commercial acumen, and high-level client management skills.
 

Key responsibilities

Client & account management

• Act as the senior strategic contact for key retained Web clients, building deep relationships with senior stakeholders (C-suite/Directors).
• Lead the development of long-term digital strategies for clients, identifying opportunities for innovation and deeper engagement.
• Drive account growth and identify new revenue streams within existing clients.
• Take a leading role in new business pitches for major web and digital product projects, presenting our technical and strategic capabilities.
• Oversee the financial health of the Web portfolio, ensuring profitability targets are met and accurately forecasting revenue.

Technical project management

• Provide senior oversight on complex, high-value web builds, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest technical standards.
• Act as the ultimate escalation point for project risks, scope creep, and technical challenges, providing solutions and managing client expectations effectively.
• Ensure rigorous quality assurance processes are in place and adhered to across all digital products.
• Collaborate closely with the Lead Developer to ensure technical feasibility of proposals and smooth handover between client services and development.
• Deep understanding of UX/UI principles, SEO, accessibility (WCAG), and modern CMS platforms (e.g. WordPress, Drupal) to guide strategic decisions.

Commercial & operational responsibilities

• Line manage and mentor Account Directors and Account Managers within the Web team, guiding their professional development and performance.
• Foster a collaborative, supportive, and high-performing culture within the team.
• Oversee resource allocation and capacity planning for the Web team in conjunction with technical leads.
• Continuously refine and improve project management processes, workflows, and tools (e.g., Jira, Productive) to enhance efficiency and delivery quality.

Required Experience

• Significant experience as an Account Director or Senior Account Director within a digital agency, tech consultancy, or similar environment, specifically focused on web builds and digital products.
• Proven track record of managing high-value (£100k+) technical projects from discovery through to deployment and maintenance.
• Strong technical literacy; you must be able to confidently discuss web architecture, CMS platforms, API integrations, and hosting solutions with both developers and non-technical clients.
• Exceptional commercial acumen with experience in revenue forecasting, budget management, and profitability analysis.
• Experience leading and developing a team of account handlers.
• Outstanding communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• A genuine passion for social impact, campaigning, and purpose-led organisations.

Bonus points

• Familiarity with Agile project management methodologies (Scrum/Kanban).
• Experience using Jira, and agency management tools like Productive.
• Experience working on campaigns for charities or NGOs.
• Experience with expanding use of AI within an agency environment, both internally (e.g. process development, automation, agents) and for clients (e.g. GEO optimisation, AI chat bots)
• Experience working with CRM integrations and management

How to apply:

Please send your CV and covering letter explaining why you believe you would be the right candidate for this role.
Send all applications to [email protected], Head of People and Operations

Job Title: Senior Account Director - Web / Digital Products
Salary: £60,000 to £70,000.00 (Pro-rated for FTC) 
Contract: 12-Month Fixed Term Contract (Maternity Cover)
Location: London, UK 3 days in the office, 2 from home (Monday, Friday)

89up is the global agency for charities, nonprofits and foundations. We campaign for great causes, tackle complex problems and inspire people to take action.

89up was founded with a clear mission: to create a powerful integrated communications agency for the world’s most important causes. In the last ten years, we’ve become one of the Financial Times 1,000 fastest-growing companies in Europe, three times, and won awards for some of the biggest non-profit campaigns around the world.

89up is a fully integrated global communications agency delivering PR, creative, websites, advocacy, insights and mobilisation. We are a fully integrated communications agency with four main teams:

• Our Web team builds innovative websites and bespoke advocacy tools to engage consumers and decision-makers.
• Our Studio team crafts beautiful content including graphic design, animation and live action video
• Our Advocacy, Insights and Mobilisation team delivers data-driven insights for impactful strategies to mobilise audiences
• Our PR team makes sure our campaigns make the headlines. 

From freeing political prisoners to taking on the banks who fund the climate crisis, to EU campaigns against fossil fuels to PR campaigns for the world’s biggest charities, to global challenges that excite people to make change, make a difference in your career at 89up.