Account Director

Socket.dev; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Salt is seeking an Account Director for hybrid work in Los Angeles, CA or New York, NY. You will lead senior client relationships and large-scale programs, guiding cross-functional teams to deliver strategic outcomes that align with client goals and Salt standards.

As a senior leader, you own the health and trajectory of the client partnership, shaping opportunities for growth and ensuring the agency delivers work that advances client objectives.

Qualifications

• 8-10+ years in experiential, creative, or integrated agency environments.
• Proven ability to lead large programs and cross-functional teams.
• Strong financial and operational fluency with budgeting and forecasting.
• Experience navigating ambiguity with clear thinking.
• Exceptional communicator able to engage C-suite and internal SMEs.

Responsibilities

• Own and grow senior client relationships—earning trust and advising with candor
• Lead large-scale programs as a cross-functional partner with Production, Strategy, Creative, and Operations
• Drive strategic alignment from intake to briefs anchored in goals, KPIs, budget
• Shape scope, staffing, and roles across departments
• Guide teams through delivery from concept to execution
• Manage escalation moments with diplomacy
• Lead strategic conversations around scope shifts and priorities
• Coach and develop Account Managers and Senior Account Managers
• Drive wrap deliverables, debriefs, and case studies
• Partner with Production to balance creativity, feasibility, and financial clarity
• Foster positive team dynamics and information sharing
• Engage in special projects and additional tasks

Skills

Senior leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Client relationship management

Strategic thinking

Job description

ROLE:

Account Director

REPORTS INTO:

Group Account Director > Head of Accounts

LOCATION:

Hybrid in Los Angeles, CA or NYC, NY

What is an Account Director at Salt?

An Account Director at Salt is a senior leader, cross-functional unifier, and strategic steward of client partnerships. You lead large, high-stakes programs with a clear head and sharp perspective, anchoring the work in client goals while creating the conditions for cross-disciplinary teams to thrive.

You bring clarity to complexity, helping shape work from intake to impact. As the client's internal voice and an external champion of agency excellence, you elevate both relationships and outcomes. You dont just manage; you lead with purpose, bringing a strong POV, business acumen, and a collaborative spirit to every room you enter.

You are a critical decision-maker, escalation point, and guide, ensuring that the agency shows up with cohesion, confidence, and accountability at every stage of the process.

In this role, you move beyond leading individual programs to owning the health and trajectory of the broader client partnership--guiding strategy, shaping opportunities for growth, and ensuring the agency consistently delivers work that advances both client objectives and agency standards.

Job Responsibilities:

• Own and grow senior client relationships- earning trust, understanding business priorities, and advising with confidence and candor
• Lead large-scale, complex programs as a cross-functional partner with Production, Strategy, Creative, and Operations
• Drive strategic alignment from the earliest stages of engagement, including client intake and project framing; ensure briefs are anchored in goals, KPIs, budget, and vision.
• Shape and steward scope, staffing, and roles & responsibilities across departments; ensure every project begins with clarity and shared understanding
• Guide teams through every phase of delivery, from creative development and approvals through production and execution, always staying attuned to client needs
• Manage escalation moments with diplomacy and clarity—representing the voice of the client while advocating for smart, achievable solutions
• Lead strategic conversations around scope shifts, tradeoffs, and priority resets with both internal and client stakeholders
• Coach and develop Account Managers and Senior Account Managers, ensuring strong fundamentals while expanding strategic thinking and leadership presence
• Drive wrap deliverables, debriefs, and case studies—helping the team capture insights, close with excellence, and tee up future work
• Partner closely with Production leadership to ensure programs balance creative ambition, operational feasibility, and financial clarity.
• Foster a positive team dynamic by actively sharing information, feedback, and support
• Engage in special projects and additional tasks as assigned, providing opportunities to support departmental objectives and professional development
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements:

• 8-10+ years of experience in experiential, creative, or integrated agency environments, with senior client leadership experience
• Proven ability to lead large programs and cross-functional teams with confidence, accountability, and emotional intelligence
• Strong financial and operational fluency-- able to co-influence scopes, forecast, and ensure delivery aligns to budget
• Experienced in navigating complexity and ambiguity with a steady hand and clear, structured thinking
• Exceptional communicator with presence and polish, able to tailor conversations to C-suite clients or internal SMEs
• Trusted team leader and mentor-- building morale, modeling shared leadership, and elevating the quality of the work and the culture of the team
• Highly collaborative with a strong grasp of how to unify departments and shape momentum in fast-moving environments

Salt Core Values + You:

Redefine the Rules:

Creative and production fighting like cats and dogs? Not here. We bring creative and production together from the start because a great idea is only as good as how its brought to life. For us, logistics and aesthetics go hand in hand. Were all about delivering experiences that go beyond the ask.

In Search Of:

Tackling challenges is our favorite pastime. Obstacles? We call them plot twists. We are creative thinkers and problem-solvers who always find a way forward with curiosity and determination. Our focus is exceeding expectations, turning client asks into an opportunity to deliver something unexpectedly brilliant.

Expect More, Get More:

We hold ourselves to higher standards than anyone else, always looking for ways to elevate each project. We dont stop at simply checking all the boxes; we push until time runs out. That extra 10% is where we surpass the competition, delivering results beyond what our clients could imagine—or even think to ask for.

Compassion is Culture:

We are powered by extraordinary humans, and we’re dedicated to cultivating an environment where company success is tied to team success. We combat burnout with inspiration, motivation, and genuine support. Without fun, work sucks.

You Are:

A thoughtful communicator who keeps both clients and internal teams in sync

An accountable self-starter who delivers independently but knows when to raise a hand

A curious learner who seeks feedback and uses it to improve

A calm problem-solver who thrives in fast-paced, collaborative environments

A team player who values empathy, respect, and clear expectations

Someone who brings both heart and hustle to everything you do