Group Account Director

VML Canada (English); Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

VML is seeking a Group Account Director to lead the Volkswagen account within the Type1 team. You will focus on brand strategy and social, driving bold, culturally relevant work that resonates with audiences and moves vehicles.

This senior role requires building senior client partnerships, guiding cross-functional teams, and delivering exceptional work that combines creativity with commercial impact.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of account management experience, including director level.
• Proven track record leading large-scale brand and social accounts.
• Strong senior client relationships and growth capability.
• Commercial mindset and ability to articulate value to clients.

Responsibilities

• Own and nurture senior client relationships as strategic partner at all levels.
• Lead brand campaigns and always-on social programs rooted in insights.
• Stay ahead of platform trends and bring fresh ideas to the table.
• Partner with strategy, creative and production to deliver outstanding work.
• Mentor and set vision for the account team; drive accountability and collaboration.
• Oversee delivery, budgeting, forecasting, and profitability.

Skills

Account leadership

Brand & social

Senior client relationships

Commercial mindset

Social media strategy

Communication & storytelling

Problem-solving in ambiguity

Job description

VML, part of WPP, is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected brands to drive growth. VML is celebrated for its innovative and human first, award-winning work for blue chip client partners including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendy's. The agency is recognized by the Forrester Wave Reports, as a Leader among Marketing Creative and Content Service Providers, Commerce Services, Global Digital Experience Services, Global Marketing Services and, most recently, Marketing Measurement & Optimization. In addition, VML’s specialist health network, VML Health, is one of the world’s largest and most awarded health agencies. VML’s global network is powered by 26,000 talented people across 55+ markets, with principal offices in Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney.

About WPP

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unitecutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counselin a single company –powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open,to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.

Type1 is a fully-integrated, dedicated super team made-up of talented people from VML. Built exclusively for Volkswagen, we craft world-class ideas for a world-class brand—bold, award-winning work that turns heads and moves audiences. From brand and retail to social, digital, and CRM, we deliver creativity that fires on all cylinders, across every moment of the consumer journey.

About the Role

VML is looking for an exceptional Group Account Director to lead and grow our Volkswagen account as part of the Type1 team. With a deep focus on brand strategy and social media, you will be the driving force behind bold, culturally relevant work that moves people — and moves vehicles off forecourts.

This is a senior leadership role for someone who thrives at the intersection of big brand thinking and the fast-paced world of social. You will be the ultimate client partner, a trusted voice in the room, and the kind of leader who brings out the best in the teams around them.

What You'll Do

Client Leadership & Relationships

• Own and nurture senior client relationships, acting as a strategic partner and trusted advisor at every level of the business.
• Build deep, long-term connections rooted in transparency, proactive thinking, and an unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional work.
• Navigate complex client structures with confidence, influencing decisions and aligning stakeholders around a shared creative and commercial vision.
• Identify and act on organic growth opportunities, developing scopes of work that reflect both client ambition and agency capability.

Brand & Social Strategy

• Lead the strategic development of integrated brand campaigns and always-on social programmes that are rooted in consumer insight and built for cultural impact.
• Champion a deep understanding of the Volkswagen brand, ensuring consistency and integrity across all touchpoints — from hero campaign moments to day-to-day content.
• Stay ahead of social platform trends, audience behaviours, and emerging formats, bringing fresh, forward-thinking ideas to the table before clients even ask.
• Partner closely with strategy, creative, and production teams to shape work that is both creatively outstanding and commercially effective.
• Lead, inspire, and mentor a high-performing account team, fostering a culture of ambition, accountability, and collaboration.
• Set a clear vision for the team, ensuring everyone understands their role in delivering excellence and growing the business.
• Act as a calm, decisive problem-solver when challenges arise — finding solutions quickly and keeping momentum without compromising on quality.
• Champion a positive, inclusive team culture where great ideas can come from anywhere.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee project delivery across brand and social workstreams, ensuring work is on time, on budget, and consistently exceeds expectations.
• Maintain sharp financial management across the account, including forecasting, resource planning, and profitability.
• Establish and uphold best-in-class processes for briefing, approvals, and client communication.

What You'll Bring

• 8+ years of account management experience , with a significant portion at Director level within an agency environment.
• A proven track record leading large-scale brand and social accounts , ideally within automotive, mobility, or similarly complex consumer categories.
• Demonstrable experience building senior client relationships and growing accounts through trust, strategic thinking, and exceptional delivery.
• A strong commercial mind — you understand how great work drives business results and know how to articulate that value.
• Deep expertise in social media strategy and content across platforms including Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
• Outstanding communication, presentation, and storytelling skills — you can command a boardroom and inspire a junior team member in equal measure.
• A natural problem-solver with a solutions-first mindset, capable of navigating ambiguity with confidence and composure.
• Experience working within a matrixed, multi-agency environment is highly desirable.

The base salary for this position at the time of this posting may range between the values at the bottom of this posting. Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications.

$90,000 - $140,000 CAD

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.