Account Director

Catalyst Exhibits; Kenosha (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Catalyst Exhibits in Kenosha, WI is seeking an Account Director to oversee the successful execution of multiple exhibits from concept through post-show delivery.

You will ensure a seamless, high‑quality client experience and drive timelines, budgets, and service coordination with internal teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 3+ years account management experience preferred.
• Tradeshow and/or event management experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Be the primary point of contact for post-sale client accounts and coordinate with internal sales teams.
• Organize ongoing pre-show meetings and maintain a rolling client event calendar.
• Oversee timelines and deadlines across projects and coordinate cross-functional teams.

Skills

Client relations

Communication

Time management

Budgeting

Leadership

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Job description

Position Summary

The Account Director oversees the successful execution of every project & account in their portfolio, ensuring a seamless & positive client experience throughout the entire exhibit lifecycle. This role manages multiple projects at once and calls for someone who is extremely organized, deadline-driven & able to determine what needs attention first when priorities compete. The Account Director brings a sense of urgency to every task, from managing timelines & budgets to coordinating show services & keeping internal teams aligned. Clear, proactive communication is a key part of this role: the Account Director keeps clients informed on everything that affects their projects, so they always know where things stand & feel at ease. Above all, this person is deeply customer service focused and makes sure client needs are addressed quickly, accurately & with care.

Key Responsibilities

Client Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact (post-sale for new business accounts and pre- and post-sale for existing accounts), ensuring client needs are addressed promptly, thoughtfully and with care.
• Build strong relationships that foster open communication & deepen client understanding
• Work directly with members of the internal sales team at any point in the project lifecycle

Lead Pre-Planning Efforts

• Organize & facilitate ongoing pre-show meetings
• Maintain & update a comprehensive client event calendar, typically on a rolling 12-month basis
• Oversee timelines/deadlines associated with each project, both internally and externally

Project & Communication Oversight

• Be the voice of the client within our building
• Attend and support all project meetings & coordinate pre-show meetings with internal & external stakeholders
• Primarily collaborate with project management to collectively communicate with all cross-functional teams to ensure seamless project execution
• Generate addendums & change orders, as needed
• Monitor project deadlines & hold clients accountable to them

Budget Management

• Manage individual event budgets with clients & reconcile final billing post-show
• Communicate budgetary changes to client throughout the project lifecycle
• Coordinate & order show service on our client’s behalf, including Install & Dismantle, Transportation, Audio/Visual, Electrical, Rigging, Furniture, Floral, Catering, etc. (varies per client/job) and effectively manage change orders as it pertains to these services throughout the project.

Onsite Event Support

• Attend key shows & events (as needed)
• Oversee the entirety of the exhibit installation process to ensure milestones, budgets & client expectations are met.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Tradeshow and/or event management experience preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of account management experience preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Communication: Clearly conveying deadlines, expectations, & feedback to internal team members and clients.
• Problem-Solving: Identifying issues early and think proactively.
• Time Management: Prioritizing tasks, managing deadlines, & ensuring efficient use of resources.
• Adaptability: Staying flexible & calm under pressure, especially when project scopes/timelines shift.
• Conflict Resolution: Navigating disagreements diplomatically while maintaining team cohesion & a professional attitude.
• Collaboration: Working effectively across departments & with diverse teams.
• Attention to Detail: Ensuring accuracy in planning, dates, addresses documentation, & execution.
• Organization: Manage multiple accounts, at different lifecycle stages, simultaneously.

Work Environment:

• This is a full-time, on-site position based in our office.
• Schedule: Standard hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, with occasional overtime required to meet project deadlines and support event execution. Availability on nights/weekends as needed when projects are installing/dismantling.
• Travel Requirements: This role requires approx. 30% travel, with the potential for more depending on large-scale client engagements or major events.