Who are we?

Hey, we're ORCA. An independent strategic brand studio based in Bristol, UK. We help ambitious, purpose-led brands clarify their positioning, define their edge, and bring it to life through distinctive identity and activation.

We combine audacious creativity with strategic rigour. Our clients are ambitious brands determined to lead their market, not just compete in it. We're B Corp certified, proudly independent, and genuinely invested in the impact our work has in the world.

Culture comes first at ORCA. It's what drives great work, keeps our people energised, and builds long-standing client relationships. We support collaboration and self-expression, encouraging the team to challenge themselves, experiment, and grow. The result is a focused, ambitious and supportive studio environment, something we think shows through in everything we deliver.

We're based in Bristol, UK. A city known for its fierce independent spirit and its thriving art, music and food scenes, and one that's rapidly establishing itself as a hub for technology, innovation and entertainment.

We're now looking for a brilliant Senior Account Manager to join the team. Someone who owns client relationships with confidence, brings commercial thinking to every brief, and thrives in a fast-moving independent studio where no two weeks look the same.

‍

Who are you?

You're a client person first. You understand that the quality of a client relationship determines the quality of the work, and you take real pride in being the person clients trust most on an account.

You have 5 to 8 years of experience in a creative, brand or strategic agency. You've led accounts independently, managed senior stakeholders, and presented work with conviction. You know how to hold a room and how to read one.

You've mentored or managed junior team members and know how to bring out the best in the people around you.

You think commercially. You spot opportunities to grow an account before the client has articulated them. You understand that great client service isn't just keeping people happy, it's helping them make better decisions.

You're equally comfortable challenging a client brief as you are championing the creative team's work. You know when to push back, when to flex, and when to hold the line on quality.

You love a small studio. You don't need layers of process or a large team behind you to do great work. You're resourceful, decisive, and calm under pressure. You keep several plates spinning without dropping any.

You live and breathe good planning, process and structure and you’re a sucker for a beautiful spreadsheet or gantt chart.  

You're a strong communicator in every format: clear in writing, sharp in a meeting, confident on a call. Your briefs set the creative team up to do their best work. Your contact reports make sure nothing falls through the cracks.

You have a genuine interest in brand and strategic work. You don't need to be a designer, but you care deeply about the quality of what goes out the door and you'll say something when it isn't right.

You're AI literate. You know how to use the tools available to work smarter, move faster, and brief better. You go looking for new ones, or ways of improving chosen ones.

‍

Role and Responsibilities

Creative Leadership‍

• Own the client relationship on your accounts. Be the person they trust, challenge, and want to call first.
• Build deep knowledge of your clients' businesses, markets, and ambitions. Bring that context into every conversation.
• Lead client meetings, workshops, and presentations with confidence. Sell in the work. Know when to fight for it and when to compromise..
• Interrogate briefs before they reach the creative team. Push back when something is missing, vague, or unrealistic.
• Work closely with strategy and design leads to shape briefs that set the team up for their best work.
• Manage senior stakeholder groups with diplomacy and clarity. Be direct without being abrasive.
• Facilitate Brand Immersion Workshops and other strategic client sessions.
• Portray ORCA's values and ethos in every client interaction.

Commercial Growth

• Take ownership of account growth. Identify opportunities to develop the scope and value of client relationships.
• Work with the founder to build and action client development plans on a quarterly basis.
• Support with the management of scope negotiations and contribute to contract discussions where required.
• Support new business efforts, including chemistry calls, proposals, estimates, and pitches.
• Contribute ideas and initiatives that help ORCA grow the accounts it already has.
• Ensure ORCA is seen as a thought leader through article writing, partnerships and campaigns that sit alongside client work

Project and Resource Management

• Own the operational delivery of your projects from briefing through to sign-off.
• Build and manage client timelines. Identify pinch points early and communicate them clearly to the team and the client.
• Take ownership of ORCA's project management system, keeping allocation and scheduling accurate and up to date.
• Write project briefs, proposals, estimates, schedules, contact reports, and status sheets.
• Liaise with freelancers and subcontractors when required, acting as their key point of contact.
• Own budget tracking across your accounts. Monitor spend, flag risks early, and ensure projects are delivered profitably.
• Lead the weekly studio round-table and end-of-week wash-up sessions.
• Use AI tools to streamline admin, sharpen briefing quality, and improve day-to-day efficiency.

Team Leadership

• Mentor and support future junior members of the CS team, helping them develop their skills and client instincts.
• Act as a senior voice in the studio, contributing to a culture of ambition, accountability, and creative excellence.
• Collaborate closely with strategy, design, and leadership to ensure joined-up thinking across every account.

‍

Package

• Time off that actually feels like time off. 21 days holiday, plus bank holidays, your birthday off, and the Christmas shutdown period (on average 3 further days).
• Work your way. A mix of in-studio energy and remote flexibility.
• Flexitime. Because life doesn't always stick to 9 to 5.
• Team lunches. Every month. Eat, share, bond.
• Training and inspiration budget. We invest in your growth.
• Quarterly ORCA Hero Award. With a bonus, because heroes deserve one.
• Summer perks. A team trip and summer hours for those sunny afternoons.
• Enhanced parental leave and sick pay. Because we've got your back.
• Referral bonus scheme. Help us find great people, get rewarded.
• Sensible travel policy. We keep trips purposeful (and fun).
• Cycle to Work scheme. Save money on a new bike and do your bit for the planet.
• Early Friday finishes. Because weekends should start early.‍
• Annual pro bono projects and volunteer days. Because we want to give back.

‍

Progression

There's real potential for the right person to grow with us, working towards an Account Director role. We're committed to your development, and as ORCA scales, so does the opportunity.

‍

How to Apply

If this sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you. Send a short email to careers@onlyorca.com with the following:

• Subject line: “I'm the Senior Account Manager you've been looking for!”
• A short note (max 150 words) explaining why you're a great fit for the role, plus your salary expectation.
• Your CV.
• A link to your LinkedIn and any other relevant socials.
• Your availability to work, i.e., whether you’re available straight away or the length of your current notice period.

‍

Key Information

• Application deadline: Sunday 17th May, 2026
• Interviews: ww/c 18th May 2026
• Hiring decision: TBC
• Salary: £40,000 to £50,000 depending on experience

Position type: Full-time, permanent