Group Account Director

VML; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Competitive benefits

Growth opportunities

Equal opportunity employer

Job summary

VML is seeking a Group Account Director to oversee the brand’s commerce initiatives, guiding digital e-commerce and in-store programs with strategic leadership for client outcomes. You will manage the internal team and act as the primary agency contact for large-scale strategic initiatives, driving growth and profitability across assigned clients in a hybrid work setting.

This role demands strong presentation skills and collaboration across cross-functional teams to deliver brilliant work and

Qualifications

• 10+ years of commerce and shopper marketing experience in agency or brand management.
• Proven leadership delivering strategic direction across digital and in-store initiatives.
• Experience with Retail Media Networks, including Target Roundel, preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for client programs and growth opportunities.
• Oversee account team and manage profitability and staffing.
• Coordinate with planning, creative, and client leads to execute campaigns.
• Mentor junior staff and deliver high-quality work.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Nielsen/IRI familiarity

Verbal & written communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or related field

Tools

Retail Media Networks

Target Roundel

CRM/Programmatic platforms

Job description

Who We Are

VML is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected brandsto 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 https://urldefense.com/v3/ http:/wpp.com/ ;!!IfJP2Nwhk5Z0yJ43lA!L_cfT4E3gsmmDY1lVQTB6ihlfPeBl9X4sMM2KI6iWZYexC2nCeZ9oxgP9qvgbrqxIBpx82rGb_mWqh5F0zKxq5_dP7Y$, 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.

Who we are looking for:

VML is seeking Group Account Director to oversees and leads the brand’s commerce initiatives in a holistic manner (digital e-commerce and in store) by providing strategic leadership and direction for the client’s commercial program(s) to win at retail. You will beresponsible for managing the overall business and ensuring all team members are together delivering brilliant work to our clients ongoing. You will provides strategic leadership and direction to both the internal team and to the client across the specified business unit. You will serve as the primary agency contact for the business as it pertains to larger strategic initiatives and assignments.

What you’ll do:

• Manage activity workflow and align expectations within account team
• Manage the creative process and brief the creative team either personally or through close oversight of Account team, reviewing concept and comp materials
• Proactively identify opportunities for practice evolution
• Work with team in the development of concepts and supporting tactics
• Function as primary liaison to middle and senior clients on behalf of the agency regarding strategy, service-related, legal and policy issues
• Support/provide strategic leadership to clients/client leads/agency and help in identifying growth opportunities and action plans for client’s marketing communications goals
• Provide support to client lead to effectively manage high level global client
• Manage internal client income projection and identify sources of incremental growth
• Manage resources to ensure client profitability
• Oversee tracking of financial forecasting/tracking and reporting and flag any potential projected income variance to Senior Management
• Work with client lead for overall staffing/resource allocation
• Manage client billing and financial status reports at a higher level
• Partner with strategic planning and creative teams for concept development
• Interact with all agency department heads to clearly outline current and projected workload on a quarterly basis for planning purposes
• Nurture the career development of junior staff by mentoring and providing ongoing informal and formal performance feedback

Who you are:

• Strong, proactive leader possessing big picture thinking
• Sound analytical skills, ideally with Nielsen or IRI familiarity
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with seasoned presentation skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a team player attitude
• Strong collaboration skills, with ability to work cross functionally and inter-agency

What you’ll need:

• 10+ years experience minimum in commerce/shopper marketing, agency experience required
• A proven track record of strategic leadership in Commerce, digital, in-store visibility, and shopper marketing both in agency and CPG brand management
• Experience with Retail Media Networks, Target (Roundel) required

What we offer:

• Passionate, driven people |We champion a culture of people that do extraordinary work.
• Consciously cultivated culture |We aim to embody the behaviors to build an inclusivecommunity that is in it together, bringing both positivity and active listening into the workplace as we simultaneously strive to empower creative bravery.
• Competitive benefits | What we offer full time hires ranges from the full spectrum of group health coverage options (medical, dental, vision) to a generous 401k match (100% dollar-for-dollar match, up to 5% of salary contribution), and a variety of paid time off offerings that reflect our investment in all aspects of your overall life balance and wellness.
• Growth-minded opportunities | We aim to nurture a culture of real-time feedback, growth-oriented mindset, and plenty of training opportunities through VML and WPP, so you can continue to grow personally and professionally.

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, click WPP Benefits for more details.

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$100,000—$230,000 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.