Account Director

Skidmore-Studio; Minnesota; On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Time Off

Health Coverage

401(k) match

Wellness stipend

Wireless stipend

Job summary

Skidmore-Studio in Minnesota is seeking an Account Director to partner with clients, project managers, and a world-class creative team to drive great work for CPG brands. You’ll lead client meetings, shape strategy, uncover new business opportunities with the BD team, and keep projects moving on time and budget while advocating fiercely for clients and maintaining strong relationships.

You’ll thrive in a fast-paced studio culture that values curiosity, collaboration, and continuous improvement

Qualifications

• CPG branding experience is required.
• Client-facing and relationship-building skills in account management/planning/sales/business development.
• Strong organizational skills with a track record of managing multiple clients and projects.
• Excellent presentation and coordination abilities to convey strategies clearly.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Degree in marketing/advertising/communications/business or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Oversee development and growth of client relationships and set strategic direction for accounts.
• Lead client meetings, weekly check-ins, and account planning sessions.
• Drive proactive planning and identify new project opportunities for clients.
• Collaborate with business development to pursue and close new opportunities and scopes.
• Coordinate with project managers, creative, and production to ensure on-time and on-budget delivery.
• Advocate for clients and manage conflicts to grow trust and satisfaction.

Skills

CPG branding experience

Client-facing relationship growth

Strong organizational skills

Excellent presentation and orches

Verbal and written communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in marketing/advertising/communications/business or equivalent

Job description

Skidmore Studio is on the hunt for an Account Director who is ready to partner with our clients, project managers and creative team to make great things happen. We are looking for a team-first, growth-minded leader who is committed to driving real value for our clients while collaborating with a world-class creative crew.

As we are a studio specializing in branding for CPG clients, experience with the consumer packaged goods industry is a must.

What You’ll Do

• Be the Ultimate Partner: Oversee the development and growth of extraordinary client relationships. You’ll be the primary point of contact, proactively taking the lead on thinking strategically on behalf of your clients, setting clear expectations, and executing killer presentations and meetings.
• Run the Show: Prep for, and lead all client meetings, weekly check-ins, and account planning sessions like a pro.
• Grow the Business: Build strong relationships by setting clear expectations, delivering work that exceeds expectations, and keeping conversations engaging. You'll drive proactive planning, uncover new project opportunities and pitch recommendations to help clients hit their future goals.
• Close the Deal: Partner with our studio's business development team to close new business opportunities—from scope development all the way to an energizing project kick-off. You'll also actively uncover, pursue, and lock down new scopes of work with your existing clients.
• Keep Things Moving: Team up with our project managers, creative, and production crews to keep projects moving forward on time and on budget.
• Collaborate Creatively: Contribute to brainstorms, ideation, creative briefings, and strategic planning for your clients.
• Be the Advocate: Fiercely advocate for our clients and manage conflict resolution—and embrace the difficult conversations as opportunities to grow trust in the relationship.

• Be an Expert: Stay tapped into your favorite content sources (podcasts, newsletters, conferences) about CPG branding and marketing trends. You'll routinely share your strategic POV and industry insights with the studio, and research client strategies to manage branding projects and identify new opportunities.

What You Bring (The Qualifications)

• CPG experience is a must! We need 10+ years of relevant agency experience, or the equivalent in brand management/marketing roles specifically with CPG brands.
• Client-facing and relationship-growing chops in account management, planning, sales, or business development.
• Solid organizational skills with a proven track record of successfully managing multiple clients and projects.
• Stellar presentation and coordination skills—you know how to clearly convey creative strategies and concepts.
• Top-notch verbal and written communication skills.
• A degree in marketing, advertising, communications, business, or the experiential equivalent.

Are you a Skidmorvian?

• You can work entrepreneurially, navigating through shades of gray.
• You are adaptable, resourceful, and ready to wear "multiple hats" and work on multiple clients at the same time, while being present and giving your full attention to only one task at a time.
• You bring structure to the nebulous and communicate clearly in the face of ambiguity.
• You are deeply curious.
• You are endlessly coachable, a continuous learner, and vulnerable about your own growth.
• You hold high creative and service standards and are passionate about continuous improvement.
• You care more about collaboration and solving problems than being "right", the winner, receiving all the credit, or being in charge.
• You capture and respond to feedback in ways that value others.
• You strike "not possible" from your vocabulary and substitute it with "how might we...".

The Perks (Benefits)

• Time Off: Paid vacation days, 11-13 paid holidays a year, and unlimited paid sick/personal time after your first 60 days of employment.
• Health Coverage: The Studio pays a portion of the medical premium for you and eligible family members. Dental and Vision coverage are 100% Studio-paid for employees.
• Retirement: A sponsored 401K savings plan with an employer match after 90 days.
• Stipends: A monthly wellness reimbursement, plus a wireless communication stipend to help cover your personal cell phone and home internet.