GEO & AI Account Director

ROAST is a multi-award-winning independent performance media agency, founded in 2015. We proudly work with brands like Rightmove, Experian, and LEON, with one clear goal: to deliver better return on advertising spend (ROAS) than anyone else.

How do we do it? By combining both media intelligence and data science, along with constant experimentation, we create solutions that will drive the biggest impact.

But none of this works without exceptional people – which is why we put talent first, always. Training, progression, and opportunities to learn are baked into how we work. We want our people to feel happy, supported, and inspired.

Exceptional company culture isn’t an add-on at ROAST – it’s the engine. It powers everything: creativity, collaboration, retention, results. We’re proud of the culture we’ve built, because it’s authentic and intentional. Rooted in shared values, not just surface perks.

ROAST have created a place where people belong, grow, and do their best work – together.

The Role

We are looking for an enthusiastic, personable, and strong Account Director to join our growing Client Services team at ROAST. We have expanded our product and offering in SEO to incorporate GEO and all AI based search so are looking for someone who is able to capitalise on the opportunities that this presents.

We are looking for a competent communicator, who can influence and drive positive change within the agency and across our clients. The Account Director will inspire and motivate delivery teams and our clients alike.

Reporting to a Group Account Director, the Account Director will be responsible for the developing AI search and GEO opportunities by converting existing projects into retained relationships. This exciting role involves not only building solid client relationships and managing revenue but also capitalising on your previous SEO & GEO/LLM knowledge as well as your management skills, with the support of the delivery team.

The AD role is expected to lead and undertake key Client Servicing responsibilities, including, and not limited to, contractual conversations internally and externally and ensuring the flow of client revenue is consistent with their portfolio target.

Whilst managing your clients, there will be the need to upskill across the agency's wider business & marketing services. This will be carried out alongside your Client Servicing team to ensure development is standardised.

Enthusiastic and confident individual with the ability to interact well with people on a personal and professional level and to thrive in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.

Responsibilities

• To manage all GEO & LLM search projects with the ultimate goal of converting them into retained ongoing relationships
• Working closely with Head of Search and Head of Innovation, help to build out and productise our offering to ensure we are a market leading agency at the forefront of new search opportunities
• Develop and build their own AD ‘pod’ of clients focused on “new search” activity as above. You will build a team of Account Managers and Account Executives (working with existing resource initially) training and upskill these individuals as needed
• An important part of the above will be to play a critical role in the preparation and delivery of pitch work for new opportunities
• Supporting day to day operations to ensure continual high levels of communication with clients
• Provide strategic direction/recommendations to clients to ensure campaigns meet and exceed KPIs
• Responsibility for all finance processes, including internal forecasting and reconciliations
• Responsibility for client fees, hours, changes to contract, contract renewals and scope of work opportunities
• Responsibility for client pod retention and growth which includes maintaining a stable revenue stream across client portfolios and helping identify opportunities to involve other departments.
• Develop marketing materials to help promote and grow the agency and our clients
• Attend marketing events to speak to prospecting clients

The Candidate

You will be an enthusiastic and confident individual with the ability to interact well with people on a personal and professional level, and thrive in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.

We are ideally looking for:

• Minimum 5 years' experience working within SEO with demonstrable early adoption of new search opportunities
• Proven track record of delivering growth through GEO and AI/LLM focused search. We need you to have done this before and be able to demonstrate it.
• Extensive experience using GEO/LLM tracking tools such as Profound, PEEC and/or Otterly.ai
• Knowledge of media and knowledge of wider marketing mix theory
• Ability to autonomously identify opportunities, generate ideas and formulate strategies.
• Excellent communication, organisation, and presentation skills alongside a mathematical and analytical mind. Extensive experience in forecasting, pitching and commercial input is desirable.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills are needed, including an elevated level of English grammar along with high attention to detail.
• Excellent Microsoft Office skills which must include Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• A record of accomplishment in strong leadership skills and relationship management, both internal and external with direct client contacts.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to empathise with the stress and concerns of the client’s day-to-day jobs
• Proven track record of working to deadlines and time management skills.
• Proven willingness to learn or contribute outside of specialist experience.
• Proven record of developing teams and or colleagues

Working at ROAST

Location: Soho, W1

Holidays: 25 days, increasing with length of service, plus Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve off; optional company trips

Benefits

• Hybrid working arrangements
• Additional 2 weeks ‘work from anywhere in the world’
• Discounted wellbeing classes / membership
• Access to Aviva Digicare+, providing healthchecks, Digital GP, MH consultations and more
• Active company social life organised by a staff committee
• Lots of opportunity for involvement in CSR, sustainability and charity initiatives
• Cycle, electric car and tech purchase savings
• Training, including supplier sessions (e.g. Google), industry bodies (e.g. IAB), external trainers
• Opportunities to learn about other digital marketing disciplines

Our hybrid-working model allows you some variety on your place of work, offering you the chance to work from home where possible. You will be expected to attend the office in line with our company policy. All staff liaise closely with their line manager and team to manage their time appropriately and according to their work and team requirements.

We are an equal opportunities employer.

At ROAST, we take pride in creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment where everyone is welcome and their contributions are valued. When we recruit, hire, train, promote or engage in any other employment practice, we are committed to being an inclusive employer regardless of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, socioeconomic status, medical condition or disability, or any other protected status.

If you have a disability we would be happy to discuss reasonable adjustments to the job with you.

Please note that we will only accept applications from candidates who are legally entitled to work in the United Kingdom.

Please beware of scams online or from individuals claiming to represent us. A ROAST employee will never solicit candidates through a non-Roast email address or phone number / WhatsApp. Please refuse any request that asks you to provide payment to participate in the hiring process.