Account Lead (Senior Account Manager or Account Director — level dependent on experience)

We’re hiring an experienced Account Lead to join Principals.

This role sits at the heart of how we work with our clients — partnering closely with them, working alongside strategy and design, and helping guide brand projects from brief through to delivery.

Depending on experience, this role may be appointed at Senior Account Manager or Account Director level. We’re open to both — what matters most is finding the right person.

What this role looks like in practice

If you’re stepping into this role as a Senior Account Manager, you’ll be supported closely by me as GM and by the wider leadership team. You’ll lead day-to-day delivery, manage client relationships, and grow your confidence across more complex brand projects — with room to stretch and develop.

If you’re coming in at Account Director level, you’ll be trusted with a high level of autonomy. You’ll lead senior client relationships, shape strong brand thinking, and guide complex projects end to end — with support when it matters, but plenty of space to lead.

Either way, you’ll be closely involved in the work, connected to the thinking, and part of a team that genuinely cares about the quality of what we deliver.

About Principals

For over a decade, we’ve been crafting compelling brands for some of Aotearoa’s most iconic organisations — from airports and banks to food, infrastructure, and public sector leaders.

As an independent agency, we’re free to think clearly, act decisively, and build long-term client partnerships that genuinely matter. We’re passionate about brand and design, and about doing work that creates clarity, confidence, and momentum for organisations.

What we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone who genuinely cares about brand and design — how ideas come to life, how systems work, and how strong thinking translates into real outcomes for clients.

You might be an experienced Senior Account Manager ready to step into a broader leadership role, or an established Account Director looking for a place where you can lead, influence, and stay close to the work.

You’ll bring:

• A calm, confident approach to managing clients and projects
• Strong communication skills and sound judgement
• Pride in the quality of the work you deliver
• An ability to work closely with strategy and design teams
• A genuine interest in building long-term client partnerships

Key responsibilities (scaled to experience)

• Lead and manage client relationships with clarity and care
• Guide brand projects from brief to delivery — scope, timing, quality, and budget
• Work closely with strategy and design to shape strong outcomes
• Keep work moving smoothly by anticipating needs and resolving issues early
• Maintain high standards across presentations, deliverables, and client interactions
• Support the commercial health of projects and accounts
• Contribute positively to the culture and ways of working within the team

Experience

• Senior Account Manager: typically 4–6+ years’ experience in a brand, creative, or advertising agency
• Account Director: typically 7+ years’ experience, including leading senior client relationships and complex projects

If you’re great at what you do but unsure where you sit across those titles, that’s okay — we’re happy to work that out together.

How to apply

If this sounds like you, get in touch with a short note and your CV to [email protected]