VML
Group Account Director (Commerce)
VML, New York, NY
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 to oversees and leads the brand's commerce initiatives in a holistic manner (general, digital, e-commerce) by providing strategic leadership and direction for the brand's commercial program(s) to win at retail. They are responsible for managing the overall business and ensuring all team members are together delivering brilliant work to our clients ongoing. The Group Account Director provides strategic leadership and direction to both the internal team and to the client across the specified business unit. They serve as the primary agency contact for the business as it pertains to larger strategic initiatives and assignments.
What you'll do:
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.
$100,000-$230,000 USD
At 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.
VML is a WPP Agency. For more information, please visit our website, and follow VML on our social channels via Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
When you click "Submit Application", this will send any information you add below to VML. Before you do this, we think it's a good idea to read through our Recruitment Privacy Policy. California residents should read our California Recruitment Privacy Notice. This explains what we do with your personal data when you apply for a role with us, and, how you can update the information you have provided us with or how to remove it.
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 to oversees and leads the brand's commerce initiatives in a holistic manner (general, digital, e-commerce) by providing strategic leadership and direction for the brand's commercial program(s) to win at retail. They are responsible for managing the overall business and ensuring all team members are together delivering brilliant work to our clients ongoing. The Group Account Director provides strategic leadership and direction to both the internal team and to the client across the specified business unit. They serve as the primary agency contact for the business as it pertains to larger strategic initiatives and assignments.
What you'll do:
- Manage activity workflow and align expectations within account team
- Manage the creative process and brief the creative team either personally or through close oversight of Account team, reviewing concept and comp materials
- Proactively identify opportunities for practice evolution
- Work with team in the development of concepts and supporting tactics
- Responsible for compensation proposals
- Function as primary liaison to middle and senior clients on behalf of the agency regarding strategy, service-related, legal and policy issues
- Support/provide strategic leadership to clients/client leads/agency and help in identifying growth opportunities and action plans for client's marketing communications goals
- Provide support to client lead to effectively manage high level global client
- Manage internal client income projection and identify sources of incremental growth
- Manage resources to ensure client profitability
- Oversee tracking of financial forecasting/tracking and reporting and flag any potential projected income variance to Senior Management
- Work with client lead for overall staffing/resource allocation
- Manage client billing and financial status reports at a higher level
- Partner with strategic planning and creative teams for concept development
- Interact with all agency department heads to clearly outline current and projected workload on a quarterly basis for planning purposes
- Nurture the career development of junior staff by mentoring and providing ongoing informal and formal performance feedback
- Identify and suggest Training/Development needs for direct reports
- Strong, proactive leader possessing big picture thinking
- Strong ability to partner cross functionally with leaders and junior team members across Creative, Strategy, Media, Analytics, Project Management, Finance, etc.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with seasoned presentation skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills and a team player attitude
- 10+ years experience in account management, agency experience required
- Commerce experience required - deep knowledge of shopper landscape across retailers
- A proven track record of strategic leadership in e-Comm, digital, in-store visibility, and shopper marketing both in agency and CPG brand management
- 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.
$100,000-$230,000 USD
At 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.
VML is a WPP Agency. For more information, please visit our website, and follow VML on our social channels via Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
When you click "Submit Application", this will send any information you add below to VML. Before you do this, we think it's a good idea to read through our Recruitment Privacy Policy. California residents should read our California Recruitment Privacy Notice. This explains what we do with your personal data when you apply for a role with us, and, how you can update the information you have provided us with or how to remove it.