Account Director

Who we are looking for:

VML is seeking an Account Director to support a key automotive franchise dealer group within a large, fast-growing account. The Account Director is responsible for the overall management, growth, and profitability for the account and represents the agency at the client level. This senior account leader will directly supervise a growing account team, providing support, guidance, and translating client business needs into clear agency action across functions.

This role will lead senior day-to-day client relationships, drive delivery excellence across an expanding scope (including creative, strategy, social, CRM, and other services), and help evolve a modern operating model that embraces AI-enabled ways of working to increase speed and scale. The role reports to the Executive Director, Account Management.

Financial forecasting is a key responsibility, providing information for senior leadership to monitor financials on a short- and long-term basis. The Account Director will also seek growth opportunities and may support new business pitches and pitch preparation as the account expands.

What you'll do:

* Lead | Work with clients to uncover business needs and objectives, develops appropriate strategies, and identifies/implements solutions to help achieve client goals. Provide account team leadership, and conveys the specific requirements for multi-functional support to the appropriate functional management on a timely basis. Partner with cross-functional teams within the agency to define and influence the client's requirements in order to execute existing business needs and secure organic client growth.

* Build Relationships | Innately understand client's business and generate solutions to enhance client performance. Deliver key presentations to small and large groups within the client organization. Lead quarterly agency review meetings. As needed, meet onsite with the client to develop strategy, present concepts manage performance.

* Manage | Monitor workflow across account team to ensure efficient delegation of projects. Manage the overall client profitability ensuring responsible financial management and delivery of account profit expectations. Work closely with the PMO and Campaign Strategy to ensure delivery of all campaigns.

Who you are:

* A builder | Entrepreneurial attitude couple with a strong business acumen. Ability and appetite to bring people together. Innate ability to marshal people and create gravity around ideas.

* Open and collaborative | Our team is close-knit and supportive and we're working with a lot of unknowns - you must champion of team environments that are comfortable and encouraging.

* Optimistic and resilient | Dig in and figure out how to work around problems. Yes and why not posture. Takes care of self and team. Balance needed to maintain stamina and positivity.

* Ego-less | We all wear the hats that need wearing, it's a mentality that makes the team successful.

What you'll need:

* Minimum 8 years' experience in account leadership, preferably within a marketing/advertising agency environment

* Demonstrated track record of client relationship development and service

* Proven experience working cross-functionally within an organization, particularly with Creative and Social teams

* Experience in CRM, Social and performance media preferred

* An ability to adapt and thrive in fast-paced environments where priorities shift and speed matters

* Demonstrated experience with modern, technology-enabled delivery models, including applying AI tools to scale output efficiently

* Strong interpersonal communication skills

* Strong people leadership skills with the ability to develop junior talent and build team cohesion during rapid growth

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…