Retail Account Director

Who You AreWe’re looking for an experienced Account Manager for big retail. You’re potentially the right fit if you’re organized, efficient, proactive and most importantly, comfortable in a fast-paced environment processing and managing multiple projects simultaneously. It’s retail, afterall, but with award-winning creative to boot. You would work directly under a key day-to-day lead on the client’s business, managing the account by helping lead strategic discussions, developing briefs and presentations, solving problems, analyzing research into actionable plans, and anything else required to make the client and agency successful, including tactical project implementation. It’s hands on, so not many things should be beneath you, yet you convey a leadership quality to our account team within our retail discipline.

What You NeedMinimum of 6-8 years of experience in working in an agency environment Minimum of 3-5 years managing key large account(s) or client side equivalentMinimum of three years working with or for a retail marketing organization or with fast paced retail accounts in an agency environment. Exposure to and proven collaboration with merchandising and operations teams a plus.Proactive, strategic thought leadershipA desire to lead in a way that inspires both the agency and client to do great workAbility to clearly communicate tasks to all team members, whether beneath or above youAbility to effectively manage, prioritize and report on multiple projects quickly and accuratelyAbility to instruct and guide a multi-disciplinary team of project managers and coordinatorsExcellent interpersonal, presentation, organizational, writing, listening and comprehension skillsExemplary problem solving skills, using a sound system of judgment to thoroughly analyze various options before making a decisionAbility to articulate and defend the agency’s recommendations and points of viewVerifiably comfortable building relationships and presenting at the manager, director and even higher levels with clientsSolid mastery of advertising fundamentals, including: branding, planning, positioning, strategy Mastery of the principles of creating effective, intrusive and integrated media and creative concepts through execution/implementationSolid knowledge of production management: digital, collateral, broadcast, print, eventsKnowledge of media fundamentals (media plans, buys/revisions, creative rotations, material insertions, traffic, deliverables)Strong analytical and quantitative skills with a working knowledge of marketing research

What You Would Do:Be the agency’s on-the-ground information source, attending meetings on behalf of the agency and client and reporting back to both.Proactively lead, supervise and orchestrate all client and agency resources, demonstrating and utilizing high brand, category and market knowledge for assigned accounts Intimately understand the client’s business, industry and competition, and leverage that knowledge to help generate new ideas to strategically grow their businessBe responsible for incremental growth of client budgets and agency profitabilityEffectively interact with clients in a way that positively impacts the agency relationship, including formulation and presentation of new initiatives, long-range plans, tactics, budgets and timelinesLead client meetings as the account’s expert and leader, consistently providing relevant news, competitive information and value beyond the client project listWork under minimal supervision to lead all client planning processes, track timelines and deliverables, and manage staff and resource allocation on assigned accounts Effectively collaborate with and manage agency, client and vendor/partner resources as needed for client success and agency profitabilityHandle multiple tasks easily, consistently meeting or exceeding deadlines and client/agency expectations Collaborate with team members throughout the work process to foster, facilitate and consistently deliver great work that is on strategy, on time, and on budgetOriginate marketing plans and project briefs that clearly direct and powerfully inspire outstanding strategic and creative solutionsOversee and develop regular business reviewsEnsure work is on-strategy, breakthrough, appropriate for brand and approved by senior managementCollaborate with team to manage all production components as needed – pre-pros, shoots, press checks, proofs, timelines, budget compliance, legal approvals, talent costs, etc.Consistently teach agency and industry best practices to othersEffectively partner with Finance on accurate weekly/monthly client financial reporting and billing; demonstrate proficiency in creating, initiating and overseeing delivery of accurate financial and job tracking reportsHelp identify new business opportunities and/or revenue streams for the agency

Reports To: Managing Partner BenefitsHealth, Dental, Life and Supplemental InsurancePaid vacation and sick timeOngoing training opportunitiesCompetitive Family & Medical leave policies 10 paid holidays