VML
Group Account Director
VML, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
Who We Are:At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.
Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences. Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work.
Who we are looking for:
VML is seeking a Group Account Director, Commerce to work on one of our largest CPG accounts in the region. The Group Account Director is responsible for the overall management, growth and profitability of our business, acting as a trusted agency partner for clients. As a senior member of the account team, the Group Account Director will lead global and/or local charter efforts, facilitating the delivery of strategic and creative Commerce excellence.
The Group Account Director must be new business minded, team oriented and possess excellent leadership, problem-solving, interpersonal and strong communication skills. Financial forecasting is also a key responsibility, providing information for senior leadership to monitor financials on a short and long-term basis.
As the senior advisor on the team, you'll oversee a client engagement team to ensure seamless delivery of your programs. An ideal candidate must be comfortable with a fast-paced environment and be able to manage client relationships while resolving internal conflicts through consultation with functional and department leads.
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 commerce 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
Serves as a thought leadership partner to their strategy and creative partners
Work with SME teams within the agency and across the network to define and influence the client's requirements in order to develop proposals and secure additional business
Coordinate activities across large scale, complex marketing projects with multiple dependencies, restrictive timelines and risks
Works closely with the project management and production partners to ensure delivery of all programs, on time
Build and Grow Client Relationships
Act as the client's singular point of contact and entry point into all work being performed
Meet onsite with the client to develop strategy, present concepts manage performance
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
Effectively Manage teams
Monitor workflow across account, project management, strategy, creative and studio to ensure efficient execution/delivery 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 mid/junior-level account members in the functional performance of their day-to-day responsibilities 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 creative processes and techniques for traditional and digital media
Ability to have direct and tough conversations with client leadership as needed
What you'll need:
7+ years' experience in a marketing/advertising agency environment, with 3 years of account leadership experience preferred.
Commerce, shopper marketing, or CPG account experience preferred.
Demonstrated track record of client relationship development and service.
Proven experience working cross-functionally within an organization.
Strong interpersonal 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.
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Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences. Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work.
Who we are looking for:
VML is seeking a Group Account Director, Commerce to work on one of our largest CPG accounts in the region. The Group Account Director is responsible for the overall management, growth and profitability of our business, acting as a trusted agency partner for clients. As a senior member of the account team, the Group Account Director will lead global and/or local charter efforts, facilitating the delivery of strategic and creative Commerce excellence.
The Group Account Director must be new business minded, team oriented and possess excellent leadership, problem-solving, interpersonal and strong communication skills. Financial forecasting is also a key responsibility, providing information for senior leadership to monitor financials on a short and long-term basis.
As the senior advisor on the team, you'll oversee a client engagement team to ensure seamless delivery of your programs. An ideal candidate must be comfortable with a fast-paced environment and be able to manage client relationships while resolving internal conflicts through consultation with functional and department leads.
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 commerce 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
Serves as a thought leadership partner to their strategy and creative partners
Work with SME teams within the agency and across the network to define and influence the client's requirements in order to develop proposals and secure additional business
Coordinate activities across large scale, complex marketing projects with multiple dependencies, restrictive timelines and risks
Works closely with the project management and production partners to ensure delivery of all programs, on time
Build and Grow Client Relationships
Act as the client's singular point of contact and entry point into all work being performed
Meet onsite with the client to develop strategy, present concepts manage performance
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
Effectively Manage teams
Monitor workflow across account, project management, strategy, creative and studio to ensure efficient execution/delivery 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 mid/junior-level account members in the functional performance of their day-to-day responsibilities 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 creative processes and techniques for traditional and digital media
Ability to have direct and tough conversations with client leadership as needed
What you'll need:
7+ years' experience in a marketing/advertising agency environment, with 3 years of account leadership experience preferred.
Commerce, shopper marketing, or CPG account experience preferred.
Demonstrated track record of client relationship development and service.
Proven experience working cross-functionally within an organization.
Strong interpersonal 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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr