Account Director

About VML VML is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected brands to drive growth. VML is celebrated for its innovative and human-first, award-winning work for blue-chip client partners including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendy's. The agency is recognized by the Forrester Wave™ Reports as a Leader among Marketing Creative and Content Service Providers, Commerce Services, Global Digital Experience Services, Global Marketing Services and, most recently, Marketing Measurement & Optimization. VML’s specialist health network, VML Health, is one of the world’s largest and most awarded health agencies. VML’s global network is powered by 26,000 talents across 55+ markets, with principal offices in Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney. VML is a WPP agency.

The Role The Account Director manages account ownership, focusing on client satisfaction, business development, profitability, and staff performance. The Account Director is responsible for all areas of client delivery and the overall health of the relationship; therefore, they must ensure that clients receive the highest level of individual attention and that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and on brief so that all of the client’s strategic brand objectives are met. Leading all aspects of the team's work, the Account Director plans critical strategic communications, ensuring contextual appropriateness, exceptional creative work, innovation, and industry quality across all campaigns. The Account Director also seeks new organic business opportunities with existing clients, building relationships across the client organization and with key industry partners. Finally, the AD is responsible for guiding and inspiring the team in their professional and personal development, including a mentoring approach with more junior team members.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the development of long-term account success and growth.
• Works with Strategy and planning to transform knowledge of client business objectives, internal and competitive opportunities, and customer insights into actionable marketing communications strategies and tactics.
• Leads and manages the team.
• Builds and maintains senior-level client relationships.
• Provides team with direction and input to meet business and project goals.
• Mining new business opportunities.
• Responsible for the development of direct reports.
• Maintains leading-edge knowledge of client’s businesses and industries.
• Recognizes and seizes opportunities to contribute to the agency's new business.
• Regularly informs Group Director Client Engagement on the status of the business, including escalation as needed.
• Able to present, sell, and (if needed) defend/restate the agency proposals.
• Takes responsibility for co-developing the project brief.
• Is a team leader: manages and grows the account manager and account executive.
• Has a good relationship with all departments in the agency and involves different disciplines at the right time.
• Works for the Agency: ensures agency profitability on the assigned business.
• Understands how to work with client suppliers and maintain agency supremacy.

Education and Experience

• Scientific Degree completed with Marketing/Economics specialization.
• 6+ years' experience in the industry.
• Proven experience in a leadership role.

Skills

• Fluent in English.
• Proficiency in MS Office Tools, especially Excel and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of CRM tools is considered a plus.
• Familiarity with e-commerce and online advertising.
• Ability to create creative briefs, deliver clear and persuasive briefs to creative teams, and remain an active collaborator throughout the creative development process.
• Understanding paid search campaigns, key online campaigns, and emerging media.
• Excellent presentation skills and presentation development.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Very comfortable working in an integrated agency environment.

We believe the best work happens when we’re together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That’s why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process. WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.