Account Director

Equator Design • Chicago, IL

2d • $110,000 - $120,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Develop and drive client strategy and business growth to achieve agreed KPIs. Responsible for ensuring that accounts are developed to their full profit potential for Equator through account planning and the effective management of Account Directors and a dedicated Account team. Work in partnership with Departmental Directors to improve Equator performance and deliver to client’s expectations.

Requirements

• Cross team partnerships and employee satisfaction
• Internal collaboration to efficiently deliver the under one roof model.
• Proactive client partnerships to meet objectives and deliver exceptional service.
• Continually grow the business – driving sales and reducing costs to enhance profitability

Responsibilities

• Effectively manage and motivate a dedicated Account Director team through regular 1:1 meetings and daily contact to establish best working practices, individual goals and staff development
• Evaluate workload allocation for balanced distribution across team
• Identify professional development and training needs of the team to enhance client service skills
• Recruit, train and retain the best talent to create a high performing team configured to client need and budget
• Mentor team to problem-solve and work through challenging client or internal issues
• Drive accountability for employee achievement to contribute to client and Equator objectives
• Actively participate in leadership team meetings and drive process improvement, team development and client experience initiatives
• Deputize for other Account Directors, Traffic Manager or CAM required
• Contribute to and inspire strategy development for client pitches and assist in their delivery
• Review creative briefs for strategic thought leadership, clarity and clear design direction/opportunities for exploration
• Represent account on cross-team initiatives to escalate issues and influence outcomes
• Actively manage, monitor and support team process priorities for design/production/photo through attendance in leadership and planning meetings
• Understand and analyse account KPIs and influence process drivers to optimize results
• Ensure the account operates in line with Equator process to maximize efficiency and right first time approach
• Work in partnership with Department Directors to deliver quickly and cost effectively for our clients
• Actively build relationships and establish protocols with clients as the key contact for agreed list of clients
• Manage and ensure client satisfaction through great service with on time delivery
• Engage and excite client through dynamic presentations of creative and strategic work
• Represent team with senior clients and partners to ensure that the needs of larger projects are met and that team members are fully supported
• Provide thought leadership to clients by conducting and discussing retail assessments, market updates, competitive examples and packaging innovations and implications to brand
• Lead high-profile projects from concept to completion to ensure alignment with client expectations
• Seek client feedback and address service issues and opportunities to ensure 100% satisfaction
• Responsible for delivery of KPIs to client to analyse against agreed benchmark figures
• Deliver the revenue to achieve budget and control costs to achieve EDITDA target
• Develop and deliver client strategy and business growth through key contacts and team insights
• Consult with client to identify new service offerings and growth opportunities
• Collaborate with client to gain visibility to annual pipeline and accurately forecast volumes (dollars and skus) based on known opportunities and historical data patterns
• Evaluate price matrix and value of services to ensure appropriate and competitive prices
• Oversee development and management of accurate estimates, forecasts and invoices through use of internal project management systems and tracking tools
• Partner with Finance to monitor A/R and escalate issues to ensure prompt payment
• Partner with Equator Leadership to create vision effectively plan and report for Equator future financial needs
• Proactively manage and accurately update forecasts for revenue and releases to provide accurate information to senior management

Benefits

• health care plans with prescription drug coverage
• dental plan
• vision plan
• basic and supplemental life insurance
• flexible spending account for medical and dependent care expenses or a health savings account based on plan selection
• short/long term disability
• 401(k) Savings Plan

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed