Head of Account Management (Maternity Leave Contract)

Something Special Studios (SSS) is an independent creative agency designing experiences, identities, and campaigns for some of the world's most ambitious brands. Our work spans strategy, immersive experiences, retail design, branding, campaigns, and content.

We're looking for an experienced Head of Account Management to join the business on a maternity leave contract for 6-8 months. This role is responsible for leading our Client Services department, ensuring exceptional client relationships, commercial performance and operational excellence across our portfolio of work.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives in a fast-moving agency environment and enjoys balancing strategic client leadership with developing high-performing teams.

The Role

As Head of Account Management, you will lead the Client Services function, overseeing our Account Team, while partnering closely with Production, Strategy, Creative and Operations.

You will be responsible for ensuring our client partnerships continue to grow, projects are commercially healthy, teams are supported and our standard of delivery remains consistently high.

You'll act as both a strategic advisor to clients and a mentor to the Account team, helping create an environment where people can do their best work while ensuring the agency operates profitably and efficiently.

Key Responsibilities

Client Leadership

• Act as executive lead across key client relationships.
• Build trusted, long-term partnerships with senior client stakeholders.
• Provide strategic guidance to account teams throughout projects.
• Navigate complex client challenges with confidence and professionalism.
• Ensure every client interaction reflects the standards of Something Special Studios.

Department Leadership

• Lead, mentor and develop the Client Services team
• Provide coaching, performance management and regular feedback.
• Support career development and succession planning across the department.
• Foster a collaborative, solutions-focused culture.
• Help establish and evolve best practices across our account management function 

Commercial Management

• Maintain commercial oversight across all client accounts.
• Review scopes of work, staffing plans and project profitability.
• Identify opportunities for growth within existing partnerships.
• Ensure projects are appropriately resourced and commercially healthy.
• Work closely with the Managing Director to monitor revenue forecasting, utilization and margins.

Project Oversight

• Provide executive oversight across multiple concurrent key projects.
• Support teams through complex project challenges and risk management.
• Ensure work is delivered on time, on budget and to the highest quality.
• Partner closely with Production and Creative leadership throughout delivery.

Business Development

• Support new business opportunities and pitches.
• Contribute to proposals, staffing plans and commercial recommendations.
• Identify opportunities to expand existing client relationships.
• Represent SSS confidently in meetings and presentations.

Ways of Working

• Continuously improve Client Services processes and standards.
• Champion effective cross-functional collaboration.
• Drive accountability while maintaining a positive team culture.

What We're Looking For

• Significant experience leading Client Services within a creative, experiential or integrated agency
• Experience managing large, complex client accounts and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong commercial understanding, including scoping, forecasting and profitability.
• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing account teams.
• Excellent communication, presentation and relationship-building skills.
• Calm, confident decision-maker who thrives in fast-paced environments.
• Highly collaborative with strong cross-functional leadership skills.
• Passion for delivering exceptional client experiences.

Contract Details

• Fixed-term maternity leave cover of 6 to 8 months. 
• Hybrid working based in our New York studio