Project Director - Government Accounts

Job Title: Project Director – Government Accounts Location: London and Brackley – Hybrid (plus travel as required) We are Strata! Imagine being part of a fast and exciting brand experience agency whose clients include specialists in new technology, creators of some of the most stunning electric vehicles on the planet, financial institutions, and global leaders in pharmaceutical solutions. As an agency, we elevate these brands and make them heard through immersive and memorable virtual and face 2 face experiences. As a people-first business, we encourage ambition, support and reward. We’re always listening and open to your ideas, just as we do with our clients. Our name? It’s Strata, an agency on a mission to be the very best. This means we always want to hear from the very best creative and intelligent souls who genuinely believe that every moment matters. Job Overview We are seeking an experienced Project Director to lead delivery across Strata’s government-focused accounts. This is a senior project delivery role within the account team and will be focused on high-profile, complex and compliance-led events across government summits, international exhibitions and virtual or hybrid programmes. The ideal candidate will combine senior government event experience, robust project management, strong commercial discipline and the ability to work collaboratively with the Account Director, Heads of Department and project teams to deliver consistently excellent work. Key Responsibilities Government Account Leadership · Act as the senior project delivery lead across government accounts, ensuring activity is planned, governed and delivered to the standards expected by high-profile public sector clients. · Partner with the Account Director on relationship management, senior stakeholder alignment, escalation planning and account-level ways of working. · Lead the establishment of client onboarding processes, account governance, reporting rhythms, stakeholder maps, SLAs, approval routes and project playbooks for new government accounts. · Provide senior counsel on delivery approach, risk, compliance, commercial implications and operational feasibility across government summits, international exhibitions, virtual events and hybrid programmes. Programme Governance & Compliance · Work with the Account Director to ensure all activity meets relevant clients, contractual, procurement, data protection, health and safety, sustainability, accessibility and brand requirements. · Oversee project risk management, contingency planning, RAMS/Event Safety Plans and escalation routes, identifying where specialist H&S or compliance support is required. · Champion disciplined documentation, including SOWs/PAFs, contact reports, project folders, status reports, budget trackers, Value for Money reports, QBR materials and Lessons Learned outputs. Commercial & Financial Leadership · Hold senior oversight of account-level project budgets, project margins, scope control and value-for-money reporting. · Review and challenge budgets, supplier costs, internal resource plans and change requests to protect quality, margin and client confidence. · Support the Account Director with growth opportunities, account development and commercial recommendations, ensuring proposals are realistic, compliant and deliverable. Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration · Lead, mentor and support Senior Project Managers, Project Managers, Project Coordinators and freelance team members, setting clear delivery expectations and standards. · Work closely with HODs across creative, production, technical, content, digital, logistics, finance, resource and supplier management to ensure joined-up delivery. · Create a collaborative, calm and high-performance account culture that encourages proactive problem-solving, clear communication and shared accountability. Quality, Reporting & Continuous Improvement · Ensure all client-facing work is quality assured, aligned to client brand guidelines and appropriate for senior government stakeholders. · Drive post-project reviews, lessons learned and continuous improvement, using project data and client feedback to improve ways of working across the account. · Maintain a visible focus on excellent delivery, clear reporting and trusted client service from mobilisation through to project closure. The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate the following experience and attributes: · Significant senior experience in event production, experiential delivery or project leadership, with demonstrable experience delivering government or public sector events. Government experience is essential. · Proven experience leading complex, high-profile live, hybrid and virtual events such as government summits, international exhibitions, ministerial or stakeholder events, conferences and virtual broadcasts. · Strong understanding of compliance-led delivery, including risk management, GDPR/data security, health and safety, accessibility, procurement-led governance and supplier controls. · Excellent senior stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to advise Account Directors, HODs, clients and internal leadership teams. · Strong commercial acumen, including budget ownership, margin management, forecasting, change control and value-for-money reporting. · Experience setting up ways of working for new accounts, including onboarding, process playbooks, reporting templates, stakeholder maps and governance structures. · Confident leadership style with the ability to build trust, develop teams and maintain calm delivery standards under pressure. · Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to produce clear, professional client-facing documentation. · Willingness to travel in the UK and internationally as required. Employee Benefits 25 days annual leave, plus usual Bank Holidays Birthday day off Private Health Insurance* Workplace pension scheme Death in service scheme Cycle to work scheme Hybrid working arrangement Regular social events *Upon successful completion of a 6-month probation period Our Principles We are a people-first brand experience agency with a set of core principles that guide our every action by measuring: A win for the client Client success is at the forefront of everything we do. We measure our success by the impact we make for our clients. We strive to exceed your expectations, delivering moments that matter with results that matter. A win for the company We believe in long-term partnerships and sustainable growth. When your business prospers, so does ours. Our commitment to excellence and innovation means we’re always ahead of the curve, offering you the best brand experiences. A win for the team Our team is the lifeblood of our agency. We celebrate diversity, promote collaboration, and foster an inclusive culture where every team member feels valued and empowered. When our team thrives, their passion and dedication is reflected in everything we deliver. A win for you Whether you’re engaging us for your events, already fostering a career at Strata, or considering one, our goal is to create a win for you. We’re dedicated to providing our employees with an enriching workplace that supports their growth and well-being. For our clients, a win means achieving your objectives and making your brand shine. A win for the planet We are committed to making environmentally responsible choices in our work. We recognise our responsibility to minimise our impact on the planet and contribute to a sustainable future. From eco-friendly event practices to conscious resource management, we aim to create events that are a win for the environment. Diversity at Strata At Strata, people are at the heart of who we are. We recognise and value the diverse and unique perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds that each individual brings. We are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone feels respected, heard, valued, and empowered. We strive to create an innovative, creative, and inclusive environment where all employees and applicants can thrive. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Recruitment decisions are based solely on merit, qualifications, and business needs. Embracing diversity isn't just our goal, it's our strength, driving us towards a more inclusive future. At Strata, we are proud to be a Disability Confident employer, committed to creating an inclusive and accessible workplace where everyone can thrive. We actively promote equal opportunities and support individuals with disabilities throughout their careers. As part of our recruitment process, we encourage candidates to let us know if they require any reasonable adjustments - our team is committed to ensuring a fair, supportive, and inclusive experience from application through to employment. https://stratacreate.com/