Account Director

VML South Africa; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Competitive benefits

Job summary

VML in New York is seeking an Account Director to lead client strategy and drive growth across multiple brands in a fast-paced, integrated agency environment.

You will partner with Strategy and Planning to transform business objectives into actionable marketing programs, build senior client relationships, mentor teams, and ensure profitable delivery while maintaining high standards.

Qualifications

• Six to 10-plus years of experience, which may include large-agency interactive or senior clientside marketing experience.
• Minimum of bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field; graduate degree is a plus.
• We’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for development of long-term account success and growth.
• Partners with Strategy and planning to transform knowledge of client business objectives, internal and competitive opportunities, and customer insights into actionable marketing communications strategies and tactics.
• Partners with Creative to ensure creative platform ideas and subsequent platform development are on-strategy and not only meeting best practices, but breaking through category norms.
• Leads and manages team on a given book of business.
• Builds and maintain senior level client relationships.
• Provides team with direction and input to ensure business and project goals are met (80%).
• Mining new business opportunities (20%).
• Responsible for development of direct reports.
• Exhibits enthusiasm for clients' business and industry.
• Maintains leading edge of knowledge of clients' business and industry.
• Recognizes and seizes opportunities to contribute to agency new business.
• Regularly informs Manager on status of business, including escalation as needed.

Skills

Account management

Client relationships

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Team leadership

Multichannel marketing

Budget management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Who We Are

VML 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 award-winning human-first work for clients including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendy's. In 2026, VML was named Campaign's Global Network of the Year and ranked #2 Creative Network of the Year at Cannes Lions. VML's global network spans 55+ markets with principal offices in Buenos Aires, Kansas City, London, New York, São Paulo, Shanghai and Singapore.

VML is part of WPP, the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. Powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform WPP Open, WPP unites cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, creativity, production, enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel.

For more information, please visit www.vml.com and follow along on LinkedIn #WeAreVML.At VML, we create connected brands. We resist the usual ways of seeing, doing and thinking - harnessing creativity, technology and culture - to reimagine the entire connected consumer experience. Our goal? To create work that becomes part of people's lives, to drive value for our clients and, in the best of cases, to impact the world.

The Account Director serves as an agency leader for achieving the client's strategic brand objectives by collaborating with the client and focusing on all facets of strategic growth. He or she must establish and drive all facets of internal working teams to deliver on clients' goals, objectives and overall strategic direction.

The Account Director also mines new, organic business opportunities with existing clients, by building relationships across the client's organization, and with key industry partners. This person must be team-oriented and possess excellent problem solving, interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.

Account Directors works closely with their direct reports to foster a culture of growth and development with the team. They regularly demonstrate initiative in all areas of improving the management and growth of all partnerships, demonstrating a sense of ownership and the ability to manage independently.

The Account Director must take ownership, drive marketing excellence, innovation, and client intelligence. He/she is responsible for all areas of client delivery and overall relationship health. Financial responsibilities include review and sign-off of monthly billing and forecasting, client management or escalation of billing as needed. Candidates must be prepared for a fast-paced environment and be comfortable making decisions.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for development of long-term account success and growth.


• Partners with Strategy and planning to transform knowledge of client business objectives, internal and competitive opportunities, and customer insights into actionable marketing communications strategies and tactics.


• Partners with Creative to ensure creative platform ideas and subsequent platform development are on-strategy and not only meeting best practices, but breaking through category norms.


• Leads and manages team on a given book of business.


• Builds and maintain senior level client relationships.


• Provides team with direction and input to ensure business and project goals are met (80%).


• Mining new business opportunities (20%).


• Responsible for development of direct reports.


• Exhibits enthusiasm for clients' business and industry.


• Maintains leading edge of knowledge of clients' business and industry.


• Recognizes and seizes opportunities to contribute to agency new business.


• Regularly informs Manager on status of business, including escalation as needed.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Has strong account management skills


• Has excellent communication skills.


• Has excellent presentation skills and presentation development skills.


• Has excellent organizational skills.


• Is a proactive problem solver.


• Not only has a positive attitude and is a team player, but models that for the junior team.


• Is able to concurrently lead and grow multiple clients.


• Is very comfortable working in an integrated agency environment, which means feeling accountability for responsibilities outside of creative and production and extends into comms planning, media, delivery, etc.


• Has deep knowledge and experience with multichannel marketing.


• A familiarity with online advertising and social media advertising is necessary.


• Has production experience, both traditional video and more nimble content development.


• Is able to support Strategy in crafting creative briefs and provide clear, persuasive briefings to Creative teams and remain an active contributor throughout the creative development process.


• Financial responsibilities include review and close management of production budget and estimates on a job by job basis ensuring close oversight during active production and no overages.


• Minimum of bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field; graduate degree is a plus.


• Six to 10-plus years of experience, which may include large-agency interactive or senior clientside marketing experience.


• Has experience managing and growing employees and teams.


• The base salary range for this position at the time of this posting is indicated below. Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package.


• _$75,000-$180,000 USD.


• 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.