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. 

Who we are looking for:  

VML is seeking an Associate Account Director to manage shopper marketing program development and excellence while driving brand strategy through retail partners, and influencing the shopper along the omni-channel path to purchase. This CPG consumer account is one of the largest at the agency and is comprised of a multitude of familiar household brands. You will be paramount to the success of the program by building and maintaining strong customer relationships through delivery of expert counsel, understanding of the business, flawless execution, and achievement of objectives.

What you’ll do:  

• Build rapport and credibility with day-to-day and senior level clients based on trust and expert strategic counsel 

• Serve as an expert in the client’s business and category, staying abreast of competitors, product development and market trends, and sharing information with internal team members 

• Stay alert for opportunities to grow client business; research client’s category and competitive landscape; define key strategic issues and opportunities for the brand/category and impact on client’s objectives; author POVs and strategies to address issues/opportunities and present to client 

• Develop and execute marketing solutions to address client’s challenges 

• Partner with cross functional teams to develop well-grounded marketing recommendations and ideas to clients based on their objectives and business needs 

• Own development of proposals/presentations with input from account lead 

• Collaborate with the client, strategy and creative to develop creative briefs 

• Manage the creative development process from concept phase through to production 

• Evaluate copy, layouts, artwork, media plans and productions materials and make suggested revisions in keeping with agreed upon strategy and business objectives 

• Quickly and effectively resolve client problems/concerns to ensure client satisfaction 

• Evaluate effectiveness of marketing program, make recommendations to optimize future iterations of the program and determine next steps 

• Lead internal and client meetings, presentations and calls; prepare relevant documents, including agendas, presentation decks and follow up communications, etc. 

• Manage project scopes and budgets; alert client of financial and timing implications of their request(s); secure client approval to proceed; and revise budgets as needed 

• Keep agency team informed of client requests and changes; anticipate potential problems and potential implications; proactively develop and execute solutions; allocate necessary resources 

Who you are: 

• Able to build relationships and collaborate effectively with clients, agency partners, other departments and teams to successfully deliver quality work 

• Able to communicate clearly, thoroughly, succinctly and in a timely manner both verbally and in writing; responds to comments, suggestions and criticisms in a thoughtful and constructive manner 

• Strong presentation skills; successfully p