Account Director, Hybrid

EAB; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

20+ days of PTO

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

EAB is seeking an Account Director, Hybrid in Washington, D.C., with a focus on strategic partnerships in education. You'll lead a portfolio of key education partners, drive growth, and mentor a team of account managers across paid media, SEO, and analytics.

You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver integrated campaigns, oversee client satisfaction, and guide strategic discussions with senior stakeholders, while aligning with Hybrid's offices in Philadelphia, Richmond, or

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience leading key client accounts within digital media, advertising, marketing, or a related agency or professional services environment.
• Strong understanding of digital media strategy, including paid search, paid social, display, programmatic, SEO, and campaign performance measurement.
• Experience managing, mentoring, or developing account management professionals, with the ability to provide clear direction, coaching, and performance feedback.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work from EAB/Hybrid's Philadelphia office in accordance with the team's hybrid work expectations and travel to partner meetings as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee a portfolio of key strategic education partners.
• Guide the development of integrated digital marketing strategies connecting partner objectives with paid media, SEO, creative, analytics, and other solutions.
• Coach and mentor Senior Account Managers and Account Managers; establish clear performance expectations.

Skills

Digital media strategy

Team leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Campaign measurement

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Google Ads

Meta Ads

LinkedIn Ads

GA4

Job description

Account Director, Hybrid

Location: Washington, D.C.

Number: 612567

Job Category: Professional Services

Job Department: Enrollment Services

Job Family: Acquisition

Job Type: Full Time

Level: Director

At EAB , our mission is to make education smarter and our communities stronger. We work with more than 2,800 institutions to drive transformative change through data-driven insights and best-in-class capabilities. From kindergarten to college to career, EAB partners with leaders and practitioners to accelerate progress and drive results across enrollment, student success, institutional strategy, data analytics, and advancement. We work with each partner differently, tailoring our portfolio of research, technology, and marketing and enrollment solutions to meet the unique needs of every leadership team, as well as the students and employees they serve.

At EAB, we serve not only our partner institutions but each other—that's why we are always working to make sure our employees love their jobs and are invested in their communities. See how we've been recognized for this dedication to our employees by checking out our recent awards .

Recently acquired by EAB, Hybrid is a globally recognized and award-winning agency that operates as a full-service marketing partner for the education sector, connecting universities with students worldwide. Powered by unrivaled insight, advanced technology, and AI-driven enrollment strategies, our integrated marketing solutions help education brands grow. We tackle the sector’s toughest challenges head-on and continuously strive for excellence, staying on the pulse of emerging trends. When you join our division of EAB, you become part of a tight-knit, ambitious, supportive, and rapidly growing team. You’ll work on big ideas with talented colleagues who respect your input, challenge your thinking and push you to do your best work. Visit our website to learn more about our story

The Account Director, Strategic Partnerships will lead a portfolio of Hybrid's key education partners, taking responsibility for client success, retention, and long-term growth while providing leadership and development across the account management team.

Reporting to the Group Account Director, this individual will directly manage and mentor Senior Account Managers and Account Managers, establishing effective working processes that ensure exceptional client service, strategic campaign delivery, and consistent communication.

The Account Director will serve as a senior strategic advisor to university partners, translating their enrollment and marketing objectives into integrated digital marketing strategies while ensuring internal teams are aligned to deliver measurable results.

Working closely with POD Leads, Paid Media, SEO, Analytics, Creative, Production, and other cross-functional teams, this individual will drive operational excellence, strengthen client relationships, support business development, and foster a collaborative, high-performing team environment.

The ideal candidate combines strong agency account leadership, digital media knowledge, people management experience, and a consultative approach to client relationships. They should be comfortable balancing strategic oversight with operational accountability, developing team members, and identifying opportunities to bring innovation and additional value to partners.

This hire may be based in Philadelphia, PA, Richmond, VA, or Washington, D.C.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead and oversee a portfolio of key strategic education partners, taking responsibility for client satisfaction, retention, and long-term account growth.
• Partner closely with the Group Account Director to ensure client relationships remain strong and account strategies support broader commercial and organizational objectives.
• Serve as a senior strategic advisor to clients, developing a deep understanding of their enrollment, recruitment, marketing, and business objectives.
• Guide the development of integrated digital marketing strategies that connect partner objectives with paid media, SEO, creative, analytics, and other marketing solutions.
• Ensure Senior Account Managers maintain effective operational management of their accounts, delivering a seamless and consistent client experience.
• Lead strategic client discussions, business reviews, and planning conversations, translating campaign performance into actionable insights and recommendations.
• Maintain current knowledge of digital media, higher education marketing, emerging technologies, and industry trends to provide informed strategic guidance to clients and internal teams.
• Oversee campaign delivery quality, ensuring appropriate testing, optimization, performance monitoring, and ongoing management of digital and third-party marketing activities.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex client challenges within the team, developing and managing clear internal and external action plans to ensure timely resolution.
• Work with the Group Account Director to establish both short- and long-term strategic opportunities for innovation while maintaining a strong focus on clients' immediate student recruitment and marketing needs.
• Directly manage, coach, and mentor a team of Senior Account Managers and Account Managers, establishing clear performance expectations and supporting professional growth.
• Develop and implement individual development plans that align employee goals with team priorities and organizational objectives.
• Conduct regular performance discussions, formal reviews, and ongoing coaching to support employee development, accountability, and career progression.
• Foster a collaborative, supportive, and high-performing team culture built on strong communication, shared accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Provide strategic guidance to account managers, encouraging thoughtful campaign planning, proactive client communication, and informed decision-making.
• Support effective resource allocation and workload management, ensuring team members can balance multiple client priorities while maintaining service quality.
• Promote collaboration across Hybrid's international offices, leveraging shared expertise and resources to deliver consistent client experiences.
• Establish high standards for professionalism, work ethic, client service, and alignment with company values.

Operational Excellence & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with POD Leads and the Group Account Director to ensure efficient day-to-day operations across strategic client accounts.
• Collaborate with Paid Media, SEO, Analytics, Creative, Production, and other specialists to align campaign strategies, timelines, deliverables, and performance expectations.
• Support the development and implementation of standardized planning, communication, reporting, and account management processes that improve efficiency and consistency.
• Identify opportunities to improve workflows, reduce operational friction, and strengthen coordination between account management and specialist teams.
• Ensure reporting frameworks, dashboards, and client-facing performance materials provide meaningful insights and align with partner needs.
• Collaborate with senior leadership and relevant finance stakeholders to support effective account financial management, resource planning, and team performance.
• Encourage the responsible adoption of AI-enabled tools, automation, and emerging technologies to improve team efficiency, reporting, and client service.
• Maintain oversight of campaign quality and account delivery, proactively identifying potential challenges and coordinating solutions before they affect client satisfaction.

Account Growth & New Business Development

• Identify opportunities to expand existing client relationships through additional digital marketing services, strategic initiatives, and innovative solutions.
• Partner with the Group Account Director to support account retention, renewal planning, and long-term commercial growth.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Business Development, and Bids teams on new opportunities, proposals, RFPs, and strategic pitches.
• Participate in new business presentations and discovery conversations as needed, bringing senior-level account and digital marketing expertise.
• Encourage and support Senior Account Managers in participating in pitches and business development activities to broaden their commercial experience.
• Build trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders, positioning Hybrid as a long-term strategic marketing partner rather than solely a campaign delivery provider.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant professional experience.
• 5+ years of experience leading key client accounts within digital media, advertising, marketing, or a related agency or professional services environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex client relationships and overseeing integrated digital marketing campaigns.
• Strong understanding of digital media strategy, including paid search, paid social, display, programmatic, SEO, and campaign performance measurement.
• Experience managing, mentoring, or developing account management professionals, with the ability to provide clear direction, coaching, and performance feedback.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain strong client relationships, manage expectations, resolve escalations, and support retention and account growth.
• Experience collaborating across digital media, creative, analytics, production, and other cross-functional teams to deliver successful campaigns.
• Ability to interpret campaign performance data and translate findings into strategic recommendations for clients and internal stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and operational management skills, including experience balancing multiple client accounts, deadlines, and competing priorities.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently with senior client stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to improve workflows, implement processes, and drive consistency across client-facing teams.
• Ability to work from EAB/Hybrid's Philadelphia office in accordance with the team's hybrid work expectations and travel to partner meetings as needed.

Ideal Qualifications:

• Experience working within a digital marketing, media, advertising, or integrated agency environment.
• Experience supporting higher education institutions, enrollment marketing, student recruitment, or other complex consideration-based marketing environments.
• Experience leading or overseeing Senior Account Managers, Account Managers, or other client-facing professionals.
• Experience supporting client renewals, account expansion, upselling, cross-selling, and new business development.
• Experience leading executive-level business reviews, strategic planning sessions, or consultative client workshops.
• Familiarity with digital advertising and analytics platforms such as Google Ads, Meta Ads, LinkedIn Ads, programmatic platforms, and GA4.
• Experience collaborating with geographically distributed or international teams.
• Experience implementing reporting frameworks, operational improvements, and standardized account management processes.
• Familiarity with AI-enabled marketing technologies, automation, and emerging digital media trends.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted-advisor relationships with clients while maintaining a strong focus on measurable campaign outcomes.

Compensation:

The anticipated starting salary (base) range for this role is $85,000 - $100,000 per year. Actual salary varies due to factors that may include but not be limited to relevant experience, skills, and location. At EAB, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the starting salary range for their role. This hire will additionally be eligible for discretionary bonus or incentive compensation. Variable compensation may depend on various factors, such as individual and organizational performance.

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans; dependents and domestic partners eligible
• 20+ days of PTO annually, in addition to paid firm and floating holidays
• Daytime leave policy for community service and flextime for fitness activities (up to 10 hours per month each)
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with annual