Account Director

Account Director – Dubai

Location: Hybrid (working from Dubai office)

About the Company

WePlay, part of the rEvolution family, is a global sports marketing agency built to drive measurable business growth. We sit at the intersection of creativity, culture and performance, helping brands and rights holders turn audience attention into commercial impact. We partner with some of the most ambitious organisations in sport to shape how they show up, how they connect with fans, and how they convert that engagement into revenue. Our work spans brand and campaign development, content and production, and performance led media, all connected through a single, outcome focused approach. Operating globally with teams embedded in key markets across Europe, the US, the Middle East and Asia, we combine local cultural understanding with global scale. Our partners include Emirates, adidas, Paris Saint-Germain, UFC, IRONMAN, AC Milan, Major League Cricket and SailGP.

About the Role

This is an exciting time for WePlay as we continue to expand our presence in the UAE and wider MENA region. We already work with a number of leading brands and rights holders in the region, and this role will play a key part in strengthening existing partnerships while helping drive further business growth in Dubai and across the UAE.

As an Account Director, you are the strategic lead across strategic client partnerships, responsible for delivering exceptional client service, overseeing campaign and project delivery, and identifying opportunities to grow accounts and revenue. You will act as a senior client partner, building trusted relationships with stakeholders while ensuring WePlay consistently delivers best-in-class work.

You will lead integrated campaigns from concept through to delivery across content, creative, media and production, ensuring projects are commercially successful, strategically effective and operationally efficient. You will also oversee production-led projects and content shoots, understanding the unique pace, challenges and logistics involved in delivering high-quality sports and branded content.

This role requires someone who is commercially minded, collaborative and relationship-driven, with a genuine passion for sport and sports culture. A willingness to actively build relationships with brands, sporting organisations and rights holders within the region is essential.

Working within a global business, you will collaborate closely with international teams across multiple time zones and be confident building rapport and trust both in-person and digitally.

You will inspire and develop your team, helping create a positive, ambitious and solutions-focused culture while ensuring high standards of delivery across all client work.

Roles & Responsibilities

Client Services (40–50% of role)

• Build and maintain strong client relationships, serving as the primary senior point of contact.
• Understand client business goals, objectives and challenges to provide tailored strategic solutions.
• Develop trusted relationships with brands, rights holders and key stakeholders across the UAE region.
• Support the continued growth of WePlay in the Middle East through networking, relationship building and identifying commercial opportunities.
• Inspire clients with new ideas, innovative solutions and growth opportunities that help expand accounts and increase revenue.
• Focus on client retention, contract renewals, repeat business and upsell opportunities.
• Communicate campaign and project progress, performance and insights clearly and confidently.
• Handle client issues and challenges effectively, maintaining confidence and trust throughout.
• Use data and campaign insights to optimise performance and demonstrate ROI.
• Negotiate and manage contracts, service agreements and SOWs with clients.
• Prepare and deliver compelling presentations, proposals and pitches.
• Attend industry, client and sporting events to strengthen relationships and maintain awareness of market trends and opportunities.
• Build strong rapport with global internal teams and collaborate effectively across international markets and time zones.
• Act as a senior escalation point during production shoots and live campaign activity where required.

Team Management (10% of role)

• Lead, mentor and inspire Account Managers and Account Executives to deliver exceptional client service and project delivery.
• Create a collaborative and positive team culture aligned with WePlay’s vision and values.
• Hold regular team and 1-2-1 meetings to support communication, development and performance management.
• Set SMART objectives and support team members with coaching, mentoring and development opportunities.
• Encourage cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing across departments and international teams.
• Ensure the team remains solutions-focused, commercially aware and client-centric in approach.
• Help teams prioritise workloads and manage resources effectively to meet deadlines and client expectations.
• Support recruitment of new team members, both for contract and permanent roles.

Project Delivery (20% of role)

• Oversee the successful planning, execution and optimisation of integrated marketing campaigns and creative projects.
• Ensure all work is delivered on time, within scope, within budget and to a high standard.
• Collaborate with strategists, creatives, media specialists, analysts and production teams to deliver integrated campaigns.
• Oversee production-led projects and content shoots, understanding the operational demands, timelines and stakeholder management required.
• Support teams in managing shoot logistics, schedules, production partners and on-set client management where relevant.
• Ensure creative output aligns with client brand guidelines, campaign objectives and quality expectations.
• Monitor campaign performance and provide data-driven recommendations for improvement.
• Build strong relationships with internal specialists and external partners to ensure seamless delivery.
• Understand wider market, cultural and sporting trends that may impact campaign performance or client opportunities.
• Identify and resolve challenges proactively to keep projects on track and maintain client confidence.

Planning (20–30% of role)

• Develop and execute strategic campaign, content and partnership plans aligned with client objectives.
• Identify opportunities for new business growth and contribute to pitches and proposals for prospective clients.
• Stay up to date with industry trends, emerging technologies, sports culture and platform developments.
• Explore new opportunities across media, production, content and digital innovation to enhance campaign effectiveness.
• Support regional business development initiatives and contribute to WePlay’s growth strategy in MENA.
• Develop contingency and crisis management plans where required to support clients and protect delivery.
• Resource planning and scenario planning.
• Ensure clear project timelines, and delivery schedules are maintained across accounts.

About You

• You are passionate about sport, culture and the evolving sports marketing landscape.
• You have significant experience in client services or account management within a marketing, creative, media or sports agency environment.
• You are commercially minded and confident building relationships with brands, rights holders and senior stakeholders.
• You are highly organised, solutions-focused and calm under pressure.
• You are comfortable managing multiple projects, stakeholders and deadlines simultaneously.
• You have experience overseeing campaigns involving content production or production shoots and understand the unique cadence and challenges involved.
• You are confident collaborating with global teams and working effectively across different time zones and cultures.
• You are a strong communicator who can build rapport quickly, both in-person and digitally.
• You enjoy mentoring and developing others and helping teams succeed.
• Based in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

About the Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Flexible working environment.
• 30 days of holiday per year, plus standard Bank Holidays.
• Access to WePlay Academy Training and external knowledge shares.
• Enhanced parental leave policies.
• Mental wellness support, including access to the Calm App.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

WePlay is deeply committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone can thrive. We actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds — especially those underrepresented in our industry.

If this role excites you, but you don’t meet every single requirement, we still encourage you to apply. The right mindset, ambition, passion and willingness to learn matters just as much as experience.