Associate Account Director

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. 

VML is in search of an Associate Account Director.  

The Associate Account Director is responsible for overall agency services on an account(s) providing supervision, growth and development of the business with our team and client partners. As an externally facing role, the Associate Account Director is responsible for developing and maintaining a close relationship with senior-level client contacts, establishing VMLY&R as leaders on the business, helping to achieve clients’ business objectives, and managing internal/external facets of that business relationship and the programs included.  

Associate Account Directors must be energetic and active proponents of all client partnerships within the agency and participate in and lead any external cross-functional teams. Leadership is rooted in strategic partnership with a focus on absolute understanding of the client’s business (objectives, risks and strategies). They are the core contact for all partner relationships and day-to-day client activities and must be able to articulate the vision and value of all agency attributes and points of differentiation. They are also responsible for the core growth and development of the account team, including goal-setting performance evaluations. Financial responsibilities may include monthly billing, forecasting and updating clients on monthly billing and expenses. This candidate should be prepared for a fast-paced environment and must be comfortable making decisions. 

 What you’ll do:  

• Collaboratively responsible for development of long-term account success and growth by participating in Client Engagement plan development and execution. Gains and maintains expert knowledge of client’s business, industry and competition. 
• Drives execution and measurement of final plan, ensuring proactive thought leadership and growth initiatives are carried out. 
• Supervises all work, providing oversight and guidance on current work (80%), while also pursuing new opportunities (20%). 
• Builds and maintains client relationships, both with day-to-day clients and more senior level contacts. 
• Participates in key client meetings: Presentations of VMLY&R work; Client briefings; Strategy sessions; Agency Day meetings; Cross-agency partner meetings.
• May supervise and develop direct reports. 
• Partners with closely with other internal partner teams (Strategy, Design, Project Management, Operations, etc) to deliver timely internal and external projects. 
• Financial management responsibilities include monthly projections and billing, monthly budget review with clients. 
• Regularly meets with senior Client Engagement leader(s) on status of business, support needed, brainstormin