VP, Account Director

A VP/Account Director occupies a senior position in account service and typically reports to a SVP, Account Director. The primary job function is to set agency standards by supervising their teams so that existing business is successfully managed and grown. Seven core competencies must be mastered for this position, described below.

Strategic Thinking

Initiates and spearheads strategy at all levels of the business

Actively participates in the development of copy strategy/positioning

Fosters solid analyses of markets and competitive environments by account teams

Maintains quality control on issues development

Ensures alignment between issues, strategies and programming

Builds commitment to strategy/process within the agency and brand teams

Understands and utilizes agency strategic tools

Offers strategic solutions that surpass common practice

Creative/Branding

Encourages and contributes to the development of world-class creative

Constructively reviews creative to ensure strategic alignment and enhance its impact on building the brand

Creates the means to maximize selling of the creative product (e.g. anticipates objections, identifies ‘hot buttons’, adds Showtime elements, creates hype, rehearses team)

Manages critiques of the creative product and ensures proper interpretation of comments/concerns

Champions the creative product

Seeks/helps develop creative solutions that surpass common practice

Understands and helps drive the branding process

Driving the Business

Drives income beyond forecast

Identifies business development opportunities and assesses their income impact

Fosters and generates proposals for incremental business building

Supports client in forecasting and development of the A/P budget

Helps the agency to set new standards within the industry

Identifies opportunities for sister/partner companies

Supports new business pitches as needed

Client Relations

Develops and maintains harmonious client relationships

Effectively represents agency POV to client

Effectively leads both account and brand teams

Demonstrates support and commitment to agency’s processes, product and services

Positions agency at its best with client

Ensures well-rounded, high quality support of client business (strategic, creative, management attention, social)

Elevates issues or opportunities to more senior agency level as appropriate

Management/Leadership

Maintains and supports agency management in maintaining, a strong, valued presence with clients and in agency

Ensures adherence to standards of excellence

Effectively manages and supervises team members

Appropriately counsels staff on internal and external issues

Monitors and evaluates performance of staff (identifying strengthens, weaknesses, and areas for development); does timely and actionable personnel news

Identifies and helps resolve people/departmental conflicts with practical solutions

Celebrates/acknowledges achievements of staff with agency and client

Contributes positively to agency culture and environment

Agency Operations

Delivers accurate and realistic forecasts (annually and quarterly)

Routinely monitors financial performance of accounts to maximize income generation

Assists with fee negotiations and ensures routine monitoring for accuracy/adjustments

Ensures smooth work flow management and procedure adherence among accounts

Ensures compliance with agency expectations for standard documentation and reports (contact reports, reco’s, client status reports, etc.)

Identifies agency areas for improvement including competitive issues

Fundamentals

Has in-depth knowledge of industry and driving forces

Continually maintains/strengthens understanding of brands and businesses

Generates results through effective written and oral communications

Upholds highest work standards and quality control

Excellent interpersonal and listening skills

Strong management skills

Manages time effectively

Demonstrates solid, professional work ethic

Shows strong analytical and decision making abilities

Demonstrates passion for the brand and creative product