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VML South Africa

Group Account Director

VML South Africa, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290


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 LeadershipWork with clients to uncover business needs and objectives, develop appropriate strategies, and identify/implement solutions to help achieve client goalsPossess a full understanding of VML commerce capabilities, success factors, and profitability measuresProvide account team leadership, and convey the specific requirements for multi-functional support to the appropriate functional management on a timely basisServe as a thought leadership partner to their strategy and creative partnersWork 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 businessCoordinate activities across large scale, complex marketing projects with multiple dependencies, restrictive timelines, and risksWork closely with the project management and production partners to ensure delivery of all programs, on timeBuild and Grow Client RelationshipsAct as the client’s singular point of contact and entry point into all work being performedMeet onsite with the client to develop strategy, present concepts, and manage performanceUnderstand client’s business and generate solutions to enhance client performanceDeliver key presentations to small and large groups within the client organizationBuild trust, credibility, and collaborationBe responsible for client satisfactionEffectively Manage teamsMonitor workflow across account, project management, strategy, creative and studio to ensure efficient execution/delivery of projectsBuild solid, trusted relationships with team members, clients, and industry thought leadersMaintain a high level of performance by the account teams and other agency personnelOversee mid/junior-level account members in the functional performance of their day-to-day responsibilities and support the development of their careerManage the overall client/account profitability ensuring responsible financial management and delivery of account profit expectationsBe responsible for the financial profitability and growth of the accountWho you are:Significant experience in professional client relationship management and background in agency managementThe ability to plan and strategize at a senior levelAbility to effectively interact with senior level client leadersA persuasive and confident approach to client presentations, results and agency reviewsExcellent written, oral communication and presentation skillsEffective team management capabilitiesAn impeccable attention to detail and budgetary restraintsThe ability to learn on the job quickly and to retain and recall relevant information on-the-spotFull awareness of creative processes and techniques for traditional and digital mediaAbility to have direct and tough conversations with client leadership as neededWhat 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.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.$100,000 — $230,000 USDAt VML, we are committed to fostering an all-inclusive work environment that is both rewarding and career-forward. Our Inclusion, Equity & Belonging initiatives, alongside the VML Foundation, reflect our dedication to giving back and making a positive impact in our communities and beyond. Our people are the heartbeat of our organization—creators, doers, innovators, makers, and thinkers—who drive not just marketing, but meaningful experiences that resonate in every action and interaction.

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