Account Director

About the Role:
The Account Director is a senior Account Management partner responsible for the overall client relationship for their Accounts. Account Directors are the client's strategic partner. They listen to client needs and challenges, become experts in the client's therapeutic area and make strategic and tactical recommendations to help the client's business thrive. Account Directors put the framework in place to drive results for campaigns—from briefing copywriters and designers, managing budgets to analyzing market research metrics to optimize at next opportunity—ensuring smooth production and rollout. Account Directors must be leaders within the internal agency team to both Account and Creative sides as well as to Client teams.

Account Directors oversee a team and are responsible in ensuring their individual performance as well as mentoring them in their professional growth. In addition, Account Directors are responsible for delivering on and surpassing client expectations, profitability, organic growth and take an active part in new business development.

What You’ll Do
Develop the Account team creatively and financially and play a positive role in new business development
Drive the client partnership and align agency resources around client priorities
Understand client objectives and strategic imperatives and effectively communicate their needs to the internal team
Lead the development of the overall communication strategy and tactical plans, based on a strong understanding of the client's context (TA, business type, corporate priorities & processes)
Oversee the client relationship, ensuring the team is proactively selling new projects and project delivery exceeds client expectations
Manage profitability of client and tracking vs Agency projections
Balance the expectations of clients with the execution of creative work
Develop internal business planning processes that drive tight alignment and collaboration across multiple stakeholders
Lead the team to provide the utmost level of client service and quality of work
In-depth review of content versus client strategy
Lead creative brief development in partnership with cross-functional team
Liaise with clients and cross-functional teams at a senior level
Promote the expansion of business with existing clients
Complete projects to a specific schedule and within an agreed budget
Use your skills to push clients and the agency creatively and strategically
Lead Client Strategic Consulting for client growth, in partnership with Senior Account Director or Group Account Director and cross-functional team
Guide and oversee the growth and development of Senior Account Managers and Account Supervisors as appropriate

What You’ll Need  
Persuasive and confident approach to creative and strategic mandates
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Effective team management capabilities
A keen attention to detail and budgetary restraints
Full awareness of creative processes and techniques, including digital platforms
Outstanding project management, organization, and prioritization abilities
Have a passion for the Advertising industry and Agency business
Working knowledge of all media (print, TV, radio and digital)
For Canadian Accounts: PAAB and ASC experience and negotiation skills
Critical thinker with ability to analyze and synthesize data and information
Self-motivator, willingness to stay up to date in a fast-paced environment, engagement, and persistence
Experience in building estimates and managing project profitability
Results-oriented and proactive, with a 'can-do' spirit that thrives on not just meeting, but consistently exceeding expectations, adeptly managing deadlines and proactively resolving challenges. Able to work independently and to take ownership while being a team player and mindful of others (partnership attitude)
Financial management abilities
To enjoy listening, thinking, researching, learning, and adding value
To apply the Company’s ideals to all decision-making business approaches