Customer Strategy Director

Associate Director – Consumer Brand Communications

Location: Bristol, UK

Contract: Permanent, Full Time

Working pattern: Hybrid, with approximately two days per week in the Bristol office and regular client travel across England

Salary: £70,000–£85,000 per year, depending on experience

Industry: Creative Communications, Consumer Brands, FMCG, PR and Marketing

Overview

Our client, a values-led creative communications agency, is seeking an experienced Associate Director to lead a major business unit focused on consumer brands and FMCG clients.

This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for client relationships, strategic and creative quality, team development and the commercial performance of a portfolio of major accounts. You will oversee approximately two to three large consumer brands, although the final portfolio may vary depending on experience and business needs.

The role goes beyond traditional account leadership. You will help shape the wider agency, contribute to its growth and create the conditions for teams to produce outstanding work. You will be expected to balance commercial priorities with client needs, creative ambition, people leadership and long‑term business development.

This opportunity is suited to an established Associate Director or equivalent senior agency leader who wants to make a visible impact on clients, colleagues and the future direction of a growing communications business.

Responsibilities

• Lead a business unit responsible for a portfolio of major consumer and FMCG clients.
• Act as the senior lead for client relationships, commercial growth and team performance.
• Take overall responsibility for the strategic and creative quality of work delivered by the business unit.
• Ensure campaigns are culturally relevant, commercially effective and executed to a consistently high standard.
• Oversee integrated communications activity across PR, social media, creators, crisis communications, issues management and related channels.
• Build trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders and provide high‑quality strategic consultancy.
• Develop a deep understanding of clients’ businesses, audiences, categories and commercial priorities.
• Identify opportunities to expand existing accounts and introduce new services, campaigns or strategic work.
• Maintain responsibility for the income, profitability and commercial health of the business unit.
• Balance client objectives with team capacity, delivery quality and wider agency priorities.
• Lead, motivate and develop high‑performing multidisciplinary teams.
• Create an environment in which people can perform at their best and creative thinking can flourish.
• Coach senior and developing team members, supporting their progression and professional growth.
• Anticipate commercial risks, delivery challenges and client issues before they escalation.
• Make confident decisions and take accountability for business, client and people outcomes.
• Lead internal workstreams and contribute to the effective operation of the wider agency.
• Help shape agency strategy, culture, values and future growth.
• Act as a visible, positive and values‑led role model across the business.
• Travel regularly to meet clients across the North and South of England.

Requirements

• Current experience operating at Associate Director level or in an equivalent senior agency leadership role.
• Significant experience leading large consumer, lifestyle or FMCG brands.
• A strong record of building trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders.
• Experience overseeing integrated communications campaigns across multiple channels.
• Strong strategic understanding of brands, audiences, culture and business growth.
• Demonstrable experience leading and developing high‑performing agency teams.
• Commercial accountability for client portfolios, account income, profitability or business‑unit performance.
• The ability to balance commercial objectives with client, team and organisational needs.
• Strong judgement and confidence making decisions in complex situations.
• The ability to identify opportunities, risks and delivery challenges at an early stage.
• Strong influencing, presentation and relationship‑management skills.
• Experience shaping creative and communications strategy at a senior level.
• A collaborative leadership style and the ability to work effectively with people who bring different perspectives.
• A values‑led approach that supports curiosity, inclusion, kindness and open challenge.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly for client meetings.
• Experience working within a consumer brand, FMCG, food and drink, lifestyle or retail communications agency.
• Expertise across consumer PR, social media, influencer marketing, creator partnerships or experiential campaigns.
• Experience managing crisis communications, reputation or complex issues.
• A driving licence and access to suitable transport due to the travel requirements of the role.
• Experience contributing to agency growth, organisational strategy or leadership‑team initiatives.
• Previous experience within a certified purpose‑led or socially responsible business.

Our client offers a flexible and people‑focused working environment, including:

• Salary of £70,000–£85,000 per year, depending on experience.
• Flexible hybrid working with trust around how and where work is completed.
• A collaborative office space in central Bristol.
• Coaching, mentoring and structured in‑house learning opportunities.
• Support to shape an individual professional development plan.
• Modern family policies covering a wide range of family structures and caring responsibilities.
• Supportive workplace practices for neurodiversity, periods and menopause.
• Year‑round access to mental health and wellbeing support.
• A nationally benchmarked fair‑pay approach.
• Regular pay‑equity analysis.
• A strong focus on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
• Opportunities to work on purpose‑led campaigns alongside major consumer brands.
• Paid time contributed to local community causes.
• Company‑provided laptop and relevant working equipment.
• The opportunity to influence the future direction of a growing agency.

Our client is committed to equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion. Reasonable adjustments and accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process.

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