Group Account Director (Commerce - Target)

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 Group Account Director to oversees and leads the brand’s commerce initiatives in a holistic manner (digital e-commerce and in store) by providing strategic leadership and direction for the client's commercial program(s) to win at retail. You will be responsible for managing the overall business and ensuring all team members are together delivering brilliant work to our clients ongoing. You will provides strategic leadership and direction to both the internal team and to the client across the specified business unit. You will serve as the primary agency contact for the business as it pertains to larger strategic initiatives and assignments. 

What you’ll do: 

• Manage activity workflow and align expectations within account team 
• Manage the creative process and brief the creative team either personally or through close oversight of Account team, reviewing concept and comp materials  
• Proactively identify opportunities for practice evolution 
• Work with team in the development of concepts and supporting tactics 
• Function as primary liaison to middle and senior clients on behalf of the agency regarding strategy, service-related, legal and policy issues  
• Support/provide strategic leadership to clients/client leads/agency and help in identifying growth opportunities and action plans for client’s marketing communications goals  
• Provide support to client lead to effectively manage high level global client 
• Manage internal client income projection and identify sources of incremental growth 
• Manage resources to ensure client profitability 
• Oversee tracking of financial forecasting/tracking and reporting and flag any potential projected income variance to Senior Management 
• Work with client lead for overall staffing/resource allocation 
• Manage client billing and financial status reports at a higher level 
• Partner with strategic planning and creative teams for concept development 
• Interact with all agency department heads to clearly outline current and projected workload on a quarterly basis for planning purposes 
• Nurture the career development of junior staff by mentoring and providing ongoing informal and formal performance feedback 

Who you are:

• Strong, proactive leader possessing big picture thinking 
• Sound analytical skills, ideally with Nielsen or IRI familiarity 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with seasoned presentation skills 
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a team player attitude 
• Strong collaboration skills, with ability to work cross functionally and inter-agency

What you’ll need: 

• 10+ years experience minimum in commerce/shopper marketing, agency experience required 
• A proven track record of strategic leadership in Commerce, digital, in-store visibility, and shopper marketing both in agency and CPG brand management 
• Experience with Retail Media Networks, Target (Roundel) required

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