Account Director, VP

M+C Saatchi Group•New York, NY

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

M+C Saatchi World Services is part of the M+C Saatchi Group, a global creative solutions company headquartered in the UK, with major hubs across Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. Guided by the belief that cutting-edge communications and technologies can change the world, we help our clients solve some of the world’s most complex challenges — operating at the intersection of strategy, creativity, and impact to shape narratives, influence behaviour, and deliver meaningful real-world outcomes. As an Account Director, you'll be responsible for overseeing the delivery of complex communications campaigns from strategy through execution. You'll serve as a trusted advisor to clients, manage and develop team members, and identify opportunities to grow both client relationships and agency capabilities. The successful candidate will combine strong communications expertise with commercial acumen, strategic thinking and exceptional stakeholder management skills.

Requirements

Must be a United States Citizen (required for government contract work).
Must be eligible for and willing to obtain a U.S. Government Secret or Top Secret Security Clearance upon employment.
Must be willing to undergo a federal background investigation, including reviews of employment, criminal, financial and drug-use history.
7–12 years' experience in communications, public affairs, strategic communications, marketing or a related field.
At least 3 years' experience managing and developing direct reports.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
Strong presentation and storytelling capabilities.
Experience managing complex, high-profile client relationships.
Excellent stakeholder management skills, including engagement with senior decision makers.
Strong commercial awareness and understanding of business operations.
Strategic thinker with excellent problem-solving abilities.
Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities.
Proficiency across Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint, Excel, Word and Outlook.
Interest in geopolitics, public affairs, international affairs and global issues.
Willingness and ability to travel internationally when required.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with government clients.
A degree in Politics, History, International Relations, Communications, Marketing or a related discipline.
Arabic and/or Farsi language skills.
Experience incorporating AI tools and workflows into communications programmes.
Interest in emerging technologies and innovation.
Experience working on social impact, behavioural change or public sector communications campaigns.

Responsibilities

Client Leadership & Account Management: Build and maintain trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders. Lead the delivery of communications programmes, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget and to the highest standard. Provide strategic counsel to clients on communications, stakeholder engagement and reputation management. Identify opportunities to expand existing workstreams and uncover new growth opportunities. Act as the senior day-to-day client lead across multiple projects and accounts. Lead client presentations, workshops and strategic discussions with confidence and authority. Ensure client objectives are understood and translated into impactful communications solutions.
Strategy & Campaign Development: Partner closely with Strategy Directors to shape strategic and creative direction. Lead strategic conversations internally and with clients, helping solve complex business and communications challenges. Develop insightful recommendations that drive meaningful outcomes and measurable impact. Support communications planning and campaign development across the full campaign lifecycle. Stay informed on geopolitical developments, global affairs and industry trends that may impact clients and projects. Contribute fresh thinking, innovation and new approaches to client challenges.
Team Leadership & Agency Contribution: Manage and develop team members, providing coaching, mentorship and support. Create opportunities for team growth and development through knowledge sharing and training. Support recruitment, internship, graduate and talent development initiatives across the agency. Ensure teams are appropriately resourced and supported to deliver exceptional work. Foster collaboration across strategy, creative and account teams. Contribute to a positive, high-performing agency culture.
Business Management & Growth: Support account forecasting, fee management and commercial planning. Prepare fee proposals and support commercial discussions with clients. Lead or support agency pitches and new business opportunities. Ensure accounts operate efficiently and profitably while maintaining high client satisfaction. Evaluate campaign effectiveness and business outcomes, ensuring impact is measured and optimised. Identify opportunities to improve agency processes, ways of working and service delivery.

Benefits

Competitive salary ($135,000-$150,000)
Family & parental support: 12 weeks’ full pay for Primary Carers and 6 weeks for Secondary Carers (after one year of service; return requirements apply for subsequent leave) Applies to birth, adoption, and surrogacy
Up to 10 days’ paid fertility leave per year (5 per cycle)
2 days’ paid leave for new grandparents
$2,500 annual interest-free parental loan
$6,000 interest-free fertility treatment loan
Healthcare & wellbeing: Three medical plans (HSA at $0 cost; EPO 75% employer funded; PPO 65% employer funded)
$0 employee-cost dental and vision
10 days’ health leave per year (mental and physical)
24/7 mental health support through Self Space
Wellhub subscription
Financial & practical support: 401(k) match (3% after 3 months; 4% after 1 year)
Pre-tax commuter benefits
10 days’ paid military leave
Full pay for jury duty (state/city payments declined)
Uber/taxi home after 9:30pm
Time off & flexibility: 23 days’ PTO (with 3 discretionary carryover days; CA/CO policies follow state mandate)
10 federal holidays, plus the day after Thanksgiving
Option to swap 2 federal holidays (excluding Thanksgiving and the day after)
Office closed between Christmas and New Year
10 days’ special emergency leave (including bereavement)
10 days’ volunteering leave (5 paid, 5 unpaid)
Half-day for blood donation
Work from anywhere for up to 2 weeks per year (subject to approval)
Culture & development: $300 annual cultural stimulation allowance (accrued monthly; available after 90 days)
Weekly Thursday happy hour
Mentorship and Buddy programmes