Account Director Jobs in New York

Who We Are

VML, part of WPP, is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected brands to drive growth. VML is celebrated for its innovative and human first, award-winning work for blue chip client partners including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendy's. The agency is recognized by the Forrester Wave™ Reports, as a Leader among Marketing Creative and Content Service Providers, Commerce Services, Global Digital Experience Services, Global Marketing Services and, most recently, Marketing Measurement & Optimization. In addition, VML's specialist health network, VML Health, is one of the world's largest and most awarded health agencies. VML's global network is powered by 26,000 talented people across 55+ markets, with principal offices in Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney.

About WPP

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.

SJR is an award-winning content consultancy. We believe in the power of transformative content and have an unparalleled group of people with uncommon talents who do content marketing differently. We combine journalistic rigor with creative intelligence, then amplify with technology to sharpen the conversation, decode complexity, transfer knowledge, and build trust.

We hire passionate innovators, disruptors and content marketers to join us on our mission to create best-in-class brand storytelling. We strategize and create for the world's best and biggest brands. Because they have such an impact on society, we have a big impact, too.

What we're looking for

Group SJR is currently seeking an Account Director to support the Client Services team in meeting their objectives and delivering the highest quality client experience. Our Account Directors are solution-oriented strategists, equal parts client counselor, team leader, content director, problem solver and growth driver. From building strategic plans to balancing the expectations of clients with the execution of our work, they know what it takes to mobilize an efficient internal team to deliver work with business impact, all while maintaining an exceptional relationship with a range of clients.

The Account Director role sets the tone for our success, both inside the agency and with our clients. They know how to leverage their experience to earn the trust of a client team and use that trust to introduce forward-thinking solutions that achieve clients' objectives and create new opportunities for the business. As a leader within the agency, they identify innovative ways of working to improve our services, mentor team members and ensure the successful delivery of our work on time and on budget, every step of the way.

Account Directors have a deep understanding of how to uncover market insights, how to integrate data and analytics, how to transform data into actionable and creative content and how to navigate the client(s) and make the right strategic moves to deliver compelling work. Their strong commercial acumen positions SJR as a reliable consultant and trusted partner.

As a leader on our Client Services team, the Account Director is a strong strategic thinker and communicator, responsible for upholding the overall experience and ongoing value of working at Group SJR.

The ideal candidate will have proven experience leading an efficient team to deliver work with clear business impact, all while maintaining an exceptional relationship with a range of clients and stakeholders.

Who You Are

• Great Content Marketer. You bring original and untold stories to life that inspire and delight.
• Solutions-Oriented Strategist. You develop and ensure the effective implementation of forward-thinking strategic plans and delivery of compelling work.
• Client Counsellor. You pull the strings to balance the expectations of the client with the execution of work.
• Collaborative Builder. You have an innate ability to mobilize people and build a cohesive team that enhances the value of the agency for the client.
• Growth Driver. You are proactive, energetic, and driven to create new opportunities for our clients and our business.

Account Strategy

• Responsible for the profitability, growth, and direction of the client(s) business, including:
  • Acting as main point of contact for client on matters ranging from approach to strategy, issues, budget, and new opportunities
  • Proactively planning long term for clients while leading day-to-day operations
  • Nurturing current client(s) and build a strong, trustworthy relationship that upholds the standards of Client Services at SJR
• Leads and executes all strategic planning activities associated with client programs, including:
  • Actively contributing to ideation and brainstorming
  • Developing strategic plans in order to execute client objectives
  • Drawing out best thinking of clients by working with the team
• Effective problem solver — guides the team toward the achievement of client objectives:
  • Builds cooperation and collaboration between individuals, eliminates the need for rework and fosters continuous improvement
  • Thinks through facts, diagnoses a situation, and finds an accurate and workable solution to help client's business and team prosper
  • Acts as point of escalation for client requests and issues with support from a Senior Account Director or Managing Director of Client Services
• Proactively provides client with strategic insight by:
  • Keeping abreast of industry trends, audience needs and project outputs
  • Working with analytics team to evaluate programs and campaigns, determining the extent to which the client's objectives were met
  • Spotting holes in plans and knowing how to rearrange resources in order to maximize ROI
• Adheres to finance requirements, including submitting invoices and drafting MSAs, establishing compliance with SOWs, maintaining revenue forecasts, budgeting, setting up vendor budget management and reconciliation, invoicing and collecting payment
• Establishes and grows strong relationships with internal and external agency partners

Growth + Business Development

• Is an active part of the business development function; identifies and maximizes opportunities for organic growth within existing clients
• Works closely with team to optimize any revenue opportunities within clients
• Establishes and maintains relationships with internal and external partners to keep SJR front of mind for content- and creative-related briefs
• Participate in pitch development and presentations as required

Creative + Editorial

• Leads end-to-end quality control and flawless execution of creative and editorial production through best practices
• Presents creative concepts to client with a view to converting concepts into sales
• Provides strategic feedback on creative concepts and content topics to team
• Pre-production, on location and post-production: ensures management of production is run efficiently and budget restraints and client expectations are being met

Staff Mentorship

• Acts as a positive role model and mentors the team to maximize individuals' growth by harnessing the strengths and opportunities of each team member
• Works closely with a Managing Director of Client Services to ensure all team members are delegated work appropriate for their level and experience
• Contributes to performance reviews
• Hears and shares critical feedback to/from other teams on how process could be improved and implement the changes that are best for the team

What You'll Bring

• Minimum five years' account management experience; agency setting preferred
• Strong understanding of content strategy and experience implementing it across a variety of platforms and channels
• Proven track record of developing strong client relationships and ability to approach business with confidence and awareness
• Demonstrated ability to mine insights that form the basis of creative strategies and content programs
• Strong growth mindset with a capacity for delivering above and beyond the client's initial ask
• Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills to sell concepts and strategy to current and prospective clients
• Effective communication and leadership skills, with the ability to mentor and nurture your team
• Commitment to continuous improvement with a demonstrated drive to respond to feedback through an iterative review process
• Exceptionally personable and positive
• Proven ability to approach business with confidence and awareness

Bonus Points

• Experience in a journalistic or publishing environment, bringing a strong understanding of storytelling and content creation.
• A passion for staying up-to-date on the latest trends in content marketing, digital strategy, and technology

Why Join Group SJR?

• Be a part of a pioneering team: Work alongside some of the brightest minds in content strategy and communications.
• Shape the future of content: Help leading organizations tell their stories in a way that resonates with their audiences and drives results.
• Make a real impact: See your strategic vision come to life and contribute to the success of our clients.
• Grow your career: We're committed to providing our employees with opportunities for professional development and advancement.
• Enjoy a collaborative and supportive culture: We value teamwork, creativity, and innovation.

If you're a strategic thinker with a passion for content and a desire to make a real impact, we encourage you to apply!

SJR is dedicated to employment equity and welcomes diversity in the workplace. We also welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates to take part in all aspects of the recruitment process.

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.

VML is a WPP agency (NYSE: WPP). For more information, please visit www.vml.com, and follow along on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

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