Overview

This opportunity is based in Edinburgh. It is essential that you live in the area, have a full work visa and are able to start immediately. We will consider 4 days/week or full-time, operating on a hybrid basis (2 days a week in the office – Tuesday and Thursday – and working from home).

We are looking for an Account Director (maternity cover, 12 months with a potential to extend) to join the Experiential & Partnerships & Activation arm of a brilliant full-service marketing agency based in Edinburgh. The role sits at the heart of live brand experiences, acting as the bridge between clients and the creative, production, and delivery teams who bring activations to life. You’ll ensure the team exceed expectations, build strong partnerships, and deliver campaigns with real impact. We may also consider Senior Account Managers ready to step into leadership.

The opportunity combines client leadership, strategic thinking, and creative collaboration, while mentoring and supporting the wider team. You’ll take ownership of projects, inspire colleagues, and help shape the future of the client’s experiential and partnership marketing efforts.

Responsibilities

• Lead client accounts day-to-day, ensuring projects run smoothly, strategically, and profitably.
• Apply creative and strategic thinking to deliver memorable and effective brand activations.
• Build and maintain strong, trusted client relationships at senior levels.
• Oversee processes that ensure projects are consistent, high-quality, and delivered on time.
• Collaborate with creative, production, and delivery teams to bring activations and partnerships to life.
• Play a key role in new business – leading ideas, research, and pitch presentations.
• Manage client briefings, presentations, and post-event reporting.
• Take responsibility for budgets, forecasting, and financial performance.
• Support, guide, and mentor account team members to help them grow.

Qualifications

• Natural leader and proactive problem-solver, confident in managing accounts and teams.
• Commercially astute, with an eye for growth opportunities.
• Skilled in balancing strategic thinking with hands-on delivery.
• Positive, collaborative team player who builds trust and inspires confidence.
• Calm under pressure and solutions-focused in challenging moments.
• Experience in account management at a senior level, ideally within events, activations, partnerships, or marketing; minimum 3 years’ agency experience.

Desired and Benefits

• Competitive compensation up to £42,000 for SAM level; up to £50,000 for Account Director level.
• Investment in growth through training and development.
• Benefits including pensions, enhanced maternity, life cover.
• Ample holiday time and access to IPA CPD and other training opportunities.
• Flexible working arrangements to suit life’s rhythm.

Other information

• Gilchrist Recruitment Partnership are a specialist recruitment agency and recruiting partner within Marketing, Digital Communications/PR, Creative & Design and Advertising in Scotland, for both agency and client side.
• When submitting your application, please outline your current salary, salary expectations, and notice period. It is essential that you are legally permitted to work in the UK with the necessary paperwork if you are not a UK citizen.
• If you are not currently living in Scotland, please explain your plans and timelines for relocation. We are a Scottish-based recruiter who generally does not represent remote opportunities, so you will be living in Scotland or have solid relocation plans.
• We cannot guarantee a response to every application. We will contact only those candidates we shortlist. Apologies for any inconvenience.
• We aim to be an equal opportunities employer and are committed to ensuring no applicant receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status or race.
• Unless clearly stated otherwise, the advertised position is a permanent contract.