Account Director, Hybrid

EAB•Philadelphia, PA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Account Director, Strategic Partnerships will lead a portfolio of Hybrid’s key education partners, taking responsibility for client success, retention, and long-term growth while providing leadership and development across the account management team. Reporting to the Group Account Director, the role directly manages and mentors Senior Account Managers and Account Managers, establishing effective processes for exceptional client service, strategic campaign delivery, and consistent communication. As a senior strategic advisor to university partners, the Account Director translates enrollment and marketing objectives into integrated digital marketing strategies and aligns internal teams to deliver measurable results. The role works closely with POD Leads and Paid Media, SEO, Analytics, Creative, Production, and other cross-functional teams to drive operational excellence, strengthen client relationships, support business development, and foster a collaborative, high-performing team. The position balances strategic oversight with operational accountability, team development, and identifying opportunities to bring innovation and additional value to partners. The role is based in EAB/Hybrid’s Philadelphia office under the team’s hybrid work expectations, with travel to partner meetings as needed. The opening is not eligible for visa sponsorship; applicants must have U.S. work authorization that does not require employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant professional experience.
At least 5 years of experience leading key client accounts within digital media, advertising, marketing, or a related agency or professional services environment.
Demonstrated experience managing complex client relationships and overseeing integrated digital marketing campaigns.
Strong understanding of digital media strategy, including paid search, paid social, display, programmatic, SEO, and campaign performance measurement.
Experience managing, mentoring, or developing account management professionals, including providing direction, coaching, and performance feedback.
Ability to build and maintain strong client relationships, manage expectations, resolve escalations, and support retention and account growth.
Experience collaborating across digital media, creative, analytics, production, and other cross-functional teams to deliver campaigns.
Ability to interpret campaign performance data and translate findings into strategic recommendations for clients and internal stakeholders.
Strong organizational and operational management skills, including balancing multiple client accounts, deadlines, and competing priorities.
Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills, including confidence engaging senior client stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to improve workflows, implement processes, and drive consistency across client-facing teams.
Ability to work from EAB/Hybrid’s Philadelphia office in accordance with the team’s hybrid work expectations and travel to partner meetings as needed.
U.S. work authorization that does not require employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future; this opening is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a digital marketing, media, advertising, or integrated agency environment.
Experience supporting higher education institutions, enrollment marketing, student recruitment, or other complex consideration-based marketing environments.
Experience leading or overseeing Senior Account Managers, Account Managers, or other client-facing professionals.
Experience supporting client renewals, account expansion, upselling, cross-selling, and new business development.
Experience leading executive-level business reviews, strategic planning sessions, or consultative client workshops.
Familiarity with digital advertising and analytics platforms such as Google Ads, Meta Ads, LinkedIn Ads, programmatic platforms, and GA4.
Experience collaborating with geographically distributed or international teams.
Experience implementing reporting frameworks, operational improvements, and standardized account management processes.
Familiarity with AI-enabled marketing technologies, automation, and emerging digital media trends.
Demonstrated ability to build trusted-advisor relationships with clients while maintaining a focus on measurable campaign outcomes.

Responsibilities

Lead and oversee a portfolio of strategic education partners, taking responsibility for client satisfaction, retention, and long-term account growth.
Partner with the Group Account Director to maintain strong client relationships and align account strategies with broader commercial and organizational objectives.
Serve as a senior strategic advisor to clients, understanding their enrollment, recruitment, marketing, and business objectives.
Guide integrated digital marketing strategies that connect partner objectives with paid media, SEO, creative, analytics, and other marketing solutions.
Ensure Senior Account Managers effectively manage account operations and deliver a seamless, consistent client experience.
Lead strategic client discussions, business reviews, and planning conversations, turning campaign performance into actionable insights and recommendations.
Maintain knowledge of digital media, higher education marketing, emerging technologies, and industry trends to advise clients and internal teams.
Oversee campaign delivery quality, including testing, optimization, performance monitoring, and ongoing management of digital and third-party marketing activities.
Act as the team’s primary escalation point for complex client challenges and develop internal and external action plans for timely resolution.
Work with the Group Account Director to identify short- and long-term opportunities for innovation while addressing immediate student recruitment and marketing needs.
Directly manage, coach, and mentor Senior Account Managers and Account Managers; set performance expectations and support professional growth.
Create individual development plans aligned with employee goals, team priorities, and organizational objectives.
Conduct performance discussions, formal reviews, and ongoing coaching to support development, accountability, and career progression.
Foster a collaborative, supportive, high-performing team culture based on communication, shared accountability, and continuous improvement.
Provide strategic guidance to account managers on campaign planning, proactive client communication, and decision-making.
Support resource allocation and workload management so team members can balance client priorities while maintaining service quality.
Promote collaboration across Hybrid’s international offices and establish high standards for professionalism, client service, work ethic, and company values.
Work with POD Leads and the Group Account Director to support efficient day-to-day operations across strategic accounts.
Coordinate with Paid Media, SEO, Analytics, Creative, Production, and other specialists on campaign strategies, timelines, deliverables, and performance expectations.
Support standardized planning, communication, reporting, and account management processes that improve efficiency and consistency.
Identify workflow improvements, reduce operational friction, and strengthen coordination between account management and specialist teams.
Ensure reporting frameworks, dashboards, and client-facing performance materials provide meaningful insights and meet partner needs.
Collaborate with senior leadership and finance stakeholders on account financial management, resource planning, and team performance.
Encourage responsible use of AI-enabled tools, automation, and emerging technologies to improve efficiency, reporting, and client service.
Monitor campaign quality and account delivery, identifying potential challenges and coordinating solutions proactively.
Identify opportunities to expand client relationships through additional digital marketing services, strategic initiatives, and innovative solutions.
Partner with the Group Account Director on account retention, renewal planning, and long-term commercial growth.
Collaborate with Marketing, Business Development, and Bids teams on opportunities, proposals, RFPs, and strategic pitches.
Participate in new business presentations and discovery conversations as needed, providing senior-level account and digital marketing expertise.
Encourage and support Senior Account Managers’ participation in pitches and business development activities.
Build trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders and position Hybrid as a long-term strategic marketing partner.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance; dependents and domestic partners are eligible.
20+ days of PTO annually, plus paid firm and floating holidays.
Daytime leave for community service and flextime for fitness activities, up to 10 hours per month each.
401(k) retirement savings plan with an annual discretionary company matching contribution.
Health savings account, healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts, and pre-tax commuter plans.
Employee assistance program with counseling services and resources for employees and immediate family.
Wellness programs, including gym discounts, healthy-living incentives, and family access to an app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation.
Fertility treatment coverage and adoption or surrogacy assistance.
Paid parental leave with a phased return-to-work program for birthing and non-birthing parents.
Milk shipping service for nursing employees during business travel.
Discounted pet health insurance for dogs and cats.
Company-provided life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
Financial wellness resources and employee discount program.
Employee resource groups, merit-based advancement, and professional growth opportunities.
Benefits begin on day one.