VP, Account Development

Nielsen Consumer LLC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 141,500 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working environment

Volunteer time off

LinkedIn Learning

Employee-Assistance-Program (EAP)

Job summary

NIQ is seeking a VP, Account Development to own and lead a key client's commercial and service relationship. You will craft strategic plans, drive data-driven merchandising, and translate analytics into growth opportunities for the client.

As the primary partner to client executives, you will orchestrate NIQ's solution suite, coach a high-performing team, and embed NIQ capabilities into the client's decision-making processes to deliver value and long-term growth.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in Retail, CPG, Merchandising, or Professional Services.
• MBA, Finance, Economics, Statistics, Computer Science or Mathematics preferred.
• Direct experience with customer insights, category management and executive leadership.
• Strong in executive communication and industry awareness.
• Proven ability to lead teams and coach in data analysis.
• Strong project management and client relationship skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop Joint business plans with client executives and NIQ leadership.
• Lead long-term (3-5 year) and annual strategic plans with deliverables.
• Create phased roadmaps of activities, deliverables and results.
• Coach and oversee analytics delivery to solve client problems.
• Manage senior client relationships and ensure satisfaction and renewal.
• Guide NIQ products to align with client decision processes.
• Lead and mentor the account team, recruiting and developing talent.
• Support business development for prospective clients.

Skills

Executive leadership

Data analysis

Client relationship management

Strategic planning

Project management

Team leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

MBA or related degree

Bachelor's degree or higher

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

MSD (MS Office)

Job description

About this Job

At NIQ, we deliver the most complete and clear understanding of consumer buying behavior that reveals new pathways to growth. We are looking for a VP, Account Development to own and lead our commercial and service relationship with a key client. This role involves developing strategic plans, driving data‑driven merchandising strategies, and leveraging complex analytics to generate incremental sales and profits for clients.

The VP, Account Development will own and lead our commercial and service relationship with a key client. In this role, you will be the primary, trusted partner for client executives, bringing the Full View of the NIQ solution suite and expertise to bear on their most important growth questions. You have rich industry knowledge and can confidently speak to industry issues and consumer trends. You can derive actionable insights from data and are excited to coach members of the account team to develop highly engaging stories. You are comfortable utilizing data and analytics and view them as a key component of confident decision‑making. This role involves establishing and deepening executive relationships, developing strategic plans to embed NIQ's solutions into the client's decision‑making processes, and leveraging the team and broader NIQ organization to drive value and change for our client.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Planning and Execution:

• Develop comprehensive Joint business plans with client executives and internal NIQ leadership
• Develop long‑term (3-5 year) and annual strategic plans and deliverables inclusive of resourcing, performance outcomes, solution enhancements and transformation
• Create phased roadmaps of key activities, deliverables, and results
• Lead the implementation and execution of analytical recommendations within client insights & merchandising teams

2. Client Relationship Management:

• Act as the primary client services lead with senior client stakeholders
• Help the client understand evolving market dynamics by ensuring they receive proactive, relevant and high‑quality thought leadership on a regular cadence
• Establish and manage deliverables with Chief Merchandising Officer, SVP Merchandising, Category VPs and Directors, and Category Management, Pricing, Promotion, and Assortment Teams
• Grow your client relationships at the executive level, ensuring client satisfaction, contract renewal, and long‑term growth

3. Analytics and Insights:

• Coach and oversee the team's delivery of high‑quality insights and analysis that accurately and effectively solve client problems
• Ensure the client and the account team fully utilize NIQ's products to drive value‑added decisions. Ensure training opportunities are aligned
• Oversee the immediate resolution of data discrepancies, operational issues and software availability issues with urgency

4. Project Management:

• Oversee multiple priorities, deadlines, and projects across the account team and contracted deliverables
• Execute the delivery of our solutions, ensuring timely outcomes and client satisfactionGrow and develop with a team responsible for delivering against client commitments
• Support initiatives that create efficient and effective practices that are consistent around the globe
• Liaison across client's organization to establish ways of working

5. Innovation and Development:

• Collaborate with internal NIQ experts to develop relevant and effective solutions to the client's growth needs by identifying opportunities to develop new capabilities and approaches
• Stay current with industry trends and educate clients on innovative merchandising and collaboration best practices
• Support thought leadership through internal learning, knowledge‑sharing, and development

6. Team Leadership and Development:

• Be the Account Leader, leading all NIQ associates on the account team to make a positive impact for the client in every interaction. Coach team members to become extraordinary client partners
• Set career paths and resource development structures to maintain and scale a highly engaged team, mentor and coach associates to align with the company's vision and strategy
• Drive extraordinary team engagement that maximizes associate performance and retention
• Determine the optimal team structure and roles to best deliver products and services
• Aid in the recruitment, training, and development of the consulting and services team

7. Business Development:

• Play a supporting role in business development for prospective clients
• Support the development of partnership deliverables, client engagement team, statements of work, and joint operation and engagement models for contract execution and delivery

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant experience in Retail, CPG, Merchandising, or Professional Service
• Bachelor or Advanced degrees: MBA, Finance, Economics, Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics are preferred
• Direct experience with customer insights, category management, retail collaboration and executive client leadership required
• Effective in executive‑level communications, influencing and engagement
• Excellent awareness of market conditions and client business environment
• Experience leading teams and ability to coach others in data analysis
• Direct experience with customer insights, category management, retail collaboration and executive client leadership required
• Strong project management skills with demonstrated strength in maintaining positive client relationships in complex situations and resolving client issues
• Highly proficient in Microsoft applications (Excel, PowerPoint, MSD)
• Strong sense of urgency and accountability to drive client outcomes
• Team leadership, cross‑functional people management, training, and development experience required

Additional Information

This role has a market‑competitive salary with an anticipated base compensation of the following range: $141,500‑$175,000. Actual salaries will vary depending on a candidate's experience, qualifications, skills, and location. This role might also be eligible for a sales‑based incentive or performance‑based bonus. Other benefits include a flexible working environment, comprehensive health insurance, industry‑leading parental leave, life insurance, education support, and more.

Our Benefits

• Flexible working environment
• Volunteer time off
• LinkedIn Learning
• Employee‑Assistance‑Program (EAP)

NIQ may utilize artificial intelligence (AI) tools at various stages of the recruitment process, including resume screening, candidate assessments, interview scheduling, job matching, communication support, and certain administrative tasks that help streamline workflows. These tools are intended to improve efficiency and support fair and consistent evaluation based on job‑related criteria. All use of AI is governed by NIQ's principles of fairness, transparency, human oversight, and inclusion. Final hiring decisions are made exclusively by humans. NIQ regularly reviews its AI tools to help mitigate bias and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. If you have questions, require accommodations, or wish to request human review: please contact your local HR representative. For more information, please visit NIQ's AI Safety Policies and Guiding Principles: https://www.nielseniq.com/global/en/ai-safety-policies.

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At NIQ, we are steadfast in our commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace that mirrors the rich diversity of the communities and markets we serve. We believe that embracing a wide range of perspectives drives innovation and excellence. All employment decisions at NIQ are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. We invite individuals who share our dedication to inclusivity and equity to join us in making a meaningful impact. To learn more about our ongoing efforts in diversity and inclusion, please visit https://nielseniq.com/global/en/news-center/diversity-inclusion.