Who we are looking for: 

VML is seeking an Account Director to serve a key automotive account. The Account Director is responsible for the overall management, growth and profitability for a specific account or group of accounts and represents the Agency at the client level. This position is the senior account person with responsibility for direct supervision and team leadership of the broader account team for support, guidance, and conveying the clients’ business needs. They manage the client relationships and resolves internal conflicts through consultation with functional and department leads. 

Financial forecasting is also a key responsibility, providing information for senior leadership to monitor financials on a short and long-term basis. The Account Director seeks growth opportunity and may serve on new business pitches and preparation. 

What you’ll do: 

• Provide Account, Strategic and Marketing Leadership
  • Works with clients to uncover business needs and objectives, develops appropriate strategies, and identifies/implements solutions to help achieve client goals
  • Possesses a full understanding of VML capabilities, success factors and profitability measures
  • Provides account team leadership, and conveys the specific requirements for multi-functional support to the appropriate functional management on a timely basis
  • Partner with SME teams within the agency to define and influence the client’s requirements in order to execute existing business needs and develop proposals to secure organic client growth
  • Coordinate activities across large scale, complex marketing projects with multiple dependencies, restrictive timelines and risks
  • Works closely with the PMO and Campaign Strategy to ensure delivery of all campaigns
• Build and Grow Client Relationships
  • Act as the client’s singular point of contact and entry point into all work being performed
  • Understand client’s business and generate solutions to enhance client performance
  • Deliver key presentations to small and large groups within the client organization
  • Build trust, credibility, and collaboration
  • Manage client expectations
  • Responsible for client satisfaction
  • Lead quarterly agency review meetings
  • As needed, meet onsite with the client to develop strategy, present concepts manage performance
• Effectively Manage teams
  • Monitor workflow across account team and SMEs to ensure efficient delegation of projects
  • Build solid, trusted relationships with team members, clients, and industry thought leaders
  • Maintain a high level of performance by the account teams and other agency personnel
  • Oversees all employees in their functional area and supports the development of their career
• Manage Financial Performance
  • Manage the overall client/account profitability ensuring responsible financial management and delivery of account profit expectations
  • Responsible for the financial profitability and growth of the account

Who you are:

• Significant experience in professional client relationship management and background in agency management
• The ability to plan and strategize at a senior level
• Ability to effectively interact with senior level client leaders
• A persuasive and confident approach to client presentations, results and agency reviews
• Excellent written, oral communication and presentation skills
• Effective team management capabilities
• An impeccable attention to detail and budgetary restraints
• The ability to learn on the job quickly and to retain and recall relevant information on-the-spot
• Full awareness of performance media and the integration with creative processes and techniques
• Ability to have direct and tough conversations with client leadership as needed

What you’ll need: 

• Minimum 8 years’ experience in a marketing/advertising agency environment
• Demonstrated track record of client relationship development and service
• Proven experience working cross-functionally within an organization
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Minimum 3 years of experience required in performance media
• Experience in CRM preferred

What we offer: 

• Passionate, driven people | We champion a culture of people that do extraordinary work.
• Consciously cultivated culture | We aim to embody the behaviors to build an inclusive community that is in it together, bringing both positivity and active listening into the workplace as we simultaneously strive to empower creative bravery.
• Competitive benefits | What we offer full time hires ranges from the full spectrum of group health coverage options (medical, dental, vision) to a generous 401k match (100% dollar-for-dollar match, up to 5% of salary contribution), and a variety of paid time off offerings that reflect our investment in all aspects of your overall life balance and wellness.
• Growth-minded opportunities | We aim to nurture a culture of real-time feedback, growth-oriented mindset, and plenty of training opportunities through VML and WPP, so you can continue to grow personally and professionally.

VML is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, military/veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or other protected group status. We believe in creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion and strives to recruit a diverse slate of candidates to help us achieve that goal.