Account Director

Lever; Downers Grove (IL); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision benefits

401(k) with employer contribution

13 paid holidays

Generous vacation and personal time-off package

Remote work flexibility

Company donation match — you donate, we donate

Job summary

A leading marketing agency in Downers Grove is seeking an experienced Account Director to provide strategic leadership to client relationships and ensure high-quality marketing performance. The role requires a strong background in digital marketing, client management, and team leadership. The successful candidate will oversee a dedicated client pod, fostering long-term partnerships and driving revenue growth. This position offers excellent benefits, including 100% employer-paid medical, and remote work flexibility.

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in digital marketing, account management, or client services.
• Strong understanding of integrated digital marketing channels.
• Ability to lead teams and coordinate cross-functional work.

Responsibilities

• Lead client relationships and marketing strategy alignment.
• Manage a cross-functional pod delivering marketing initiatives.
• Oversee operational excellence and manage client expectations.

Skills

Client relationship management

Digital marketing strategy

Leadership

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Job description

We are Lever, a marketing agency that stands at the intersection of experience and innovation. Lever is a place where the acumen of industry experts harmonizes with the latest advancements in advertising technology. Our focus? Spotlighting our clients, the true protagonists of our success narratives.

Our team is a dynamic collective of individuals, united in their pursuit of excellence and innovation. We foster a culture of transparency and adaptability, building partnerships grounded in trust and mutual growth. At Lever, we are more than just an agency; we are a community of marketing professionals who are curious, driven, and committed to delivering results that surpass expectations.

As a potential member of the Lever team, you would be joining an organization that values great work, strong integrity, and high morale. We are growth-oriented, constantly seeking avenues to not only enhance our clients’ journeys, but also to nurture careers and foster lasting relationships.

Join us at Lever, where we are reshaping the marketing landscape, one success story at a time.

How We Define Success in This Role:

The Account Director serves as the strategic and operational leader of a dedicated client pod. This individual is ultimately responsible for the health, performance, and growth of the clients assigned to their pod.

Success in this role is defined by the ability to lead client relationships, guide strategic direction, and ensure that the pod consistently delivers high-quality marketing performance. The Account Director ensures that campaign strategy, media execution, and client communication remain aligned with each client’s business objectives.

A successful Account Director demonstrates strong leadership, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of digital marketing. They are able to guide both clients and internal teams toward effective marketing solutions while maintaining accountability for results.

The Account Director works closely with the Media Director to ensure that marketing strategies translate into effective campaign execution across platforms. They are also responsible for mentoring and managing the client-facing and operational members of their pod.

This role reports to the Director of Client Success and works closely with the Media Director assigned to the pod.

Primary Ownership Areas:

• Client relationship health
• Strategic direction of accounts within the pod
• Revenue growth and retention within the pod
• Performance accountability for pod clients

What You’ll Do:

Lead Client Strategy and Relationship Management

Serve as the senior strategic advisor for clients within your pod, ensuring that Lever’s marketing initiatives align with each client’s broader business goals.

Develop and guide long-term marketing strategies that incorporate multiple digital channels, audience insights, and evolving platform capabilities.

Build strong, trusted relationships with client stakeholders through thoughtful communication, strategic guidance, and proactive problem solving.

Identify opportunities to expand client engagements by introducing new strategies, marketing channels, and performance initiatives that support business growth.

Serve as the primary escalation point for client concerns, ensuring that challenges are addressed quickly and effectively.

Lead and Manage a Cross-Functional Pod Team

Oversee the overall performance and coordination of the pod supporting your client portfolio.

Manage Account Strategists and Project Managers within the pod, providing guidance, mentorship, and leadership.

Ensure that all pod members remain aligned around client goals, campaign priorities, and deliverables.

Collaborate closely with the Media Director to align client strategy with media planning and execution.

Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the pod.

Oversee Strategic Marketing Planning

Guide the development of marketing strategies that incorporate paid media channels such as paid search, paid social, programmatic media, and emerging advertising platforms.

Ensure that marketing strategies reflect a strong understanding of audience behavior, competitive positioning, and industry trends.

Collaborate with Media Directors to ensure campaign plans are aligned with broader strategic goals.

Support the development of testing frameworks, measurement approaches, and optimization strategies that improve marketing performance.

Ensure Operational Excellence Across Accounts

Work with the Project Manager to ensure deliverables remain organized, timelines are maintained, and client commitments are met.

Review reporting insights and campaign performance to ensure that strategies remain aligned with client objectives.

Ensure that the pod operates efficiently while maintaining high standards of quality and accountability.

Maintain visibility into client budgets, campaign performance trends, and strategic opportunities across the pod’s accounts.

Drive Client Growth and Long-Term Partnerships

Identify opportunities to expand client relationships through additional marketing services, new channel initiatives, and strategic recommendations.

Work with agency leadership to develop growth strategies for key accounts.

Ensure that Lever continues to deliver strategic value that strengthens long-term client partnerships.

What You’ll Bring:

A strategic mindset combined with strong leadership and communication skills. You are comfortable guiding client strategy while managing internal teams responsible for execution.

5+ years of experience in digital marketing, marketing strategy, account management, and/or client services within a marketing agency or performance-focused environment.

Strong understanding of integrated digital marketing channels including paid search, paid social, programmatic media, and performance marketing strategies.

Experience managing complex client relationships and guiding marketing strategies across multiple channels.

Demonstrated ability to lead teams, mentor employees, and coordinate cross-functional work.

Strong analytical thinking and comfort interpreting marketing performance data to guide strategic decisions.

Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex marketing strategies to clients and internal stakeholders.

Highly organized and capable of managing multiple client priorities simultaneously.

Benefits Shortlist:

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision benefits
• 401(k) with employer contribution
• 13 paid holidays
• Generous vacation and personal time-off package
• Remote work flexibility
• Company donation match — you donate, we donate