Account Director

Who We Are

VML is a global creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce to create connected brands that drive growth. Guided by a Human First philosophy, VML is known for its innovative work for brands and consistently ranks among the world’s leading creative companies, including the WARC Creative 100. VML’s global network spans 55+ markets with principal offices in Buenos Aires, Kansas City, London, New York, São Paulo, Shanghai and Singapore.

VML is part of WPP, the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. Powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform WPP Open, WPP unites cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, creativity, production, enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel.

For more information, please visit www.vml.com and follow along on LinkedIn #WeAreVML.

Who we are looking for:

VML is seeking an Account Director to manage program development, execution activities while driving brand strategy through retail partners and influencing the shopper along the omni-channel path to purchase for a client of ours. Ensure program success by building and maintaining strong customer relationships through delivery of expert counsel, understanding of the business, flawless execution, and achievement of objectives.

What you’ll do:

Build rapport and credibility with day-to-day and senior level clients based on trust and expert strategic counsel

Serve as an expert in the client’s business and category, staying abreast of competitors, product development and market trends, and sharing information with internal team members

Stay alert for opportunities to grow client business; research client’s category and competitive landscape; define key strategic issues and opportunities for the brand/category and impact on client’s objectives; author POVs and strategies to address issues/opportunities and present to client

Develop and execute marketing solutions to address client’s challenges

Provide well-grounded marketing recommendations and ideas to clients based on their objectives and business needs

Own development of proposals/presentations with input from account lead

Collaborate with the client, account director, strategy and creative to develop creative briefs

Manage the creative development process from concept phase through to production

Evaluate copy, layouts, artwork, media plans and productions materials and make suggested revisions in keeping with agreed upon strategy and business objectives

Quickly and effectively resolve client problems/concerns to ensure client satisfaction

Evaluate effectiveness of marketing program, make recommendations to optimize future iterations of the program and determine next steps

Lead internal and client meetings, presentations and calls; prepare relevant documents, including agendas, presentation decks and follow up communications, etc.

Manage project scopes and budgets; alert client of financial and timing implications of their request(s); secure client approval to proceed; and revise budgets as needed

Keep agency team informed of client requests and changes; anticipate potential problems and potential implications; proactively develop and execute solutions; allocate necessary resources

Who you are:

Able to build relationships and collaborate effectively with clients, agency partners, other departments and teams to successfully deliver quality work

Able to communicate clearly, thoroughly, succinctly and in a timely manner both verbally and in writing; responds to comments, suggestions and criticisms in a thoughtful and constructive manner

Strong presentation skills; successfully presents and sells new thinking, strategies and/or ideas to clients

Strong attention to detail, organization and process orientation, demonstrated through actively and effectively managing timelines, budgets, and deliverables for multiple projects simultaneously

What you’ll need:

8+ years of advertising or marketing experience; agency experience required

Shopper marketing/retailer network experience required

Comprehensive knowledge of client category and business objectives, and a clear understanding of the key strategic issues that impact the client’s business

Experience managing and/or mentoring individuals and providing actionable constructive feedback

Strong leadership, client management, and communication skills

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.

The base salary range for this position at the time of this posting is indicated below. Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package, click WPP Benefits for more details.

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$75,000 — $180,000 USD

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.

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