Account Director, Hybrid

EAB•Philadelphia, PA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Account Director, Strategic Partnerships will lead a portfolio of Hybrid’s key education partners and be accountable for client success, retention, and long-term growth. The role also provides leadership and development for the account management team, directly managing and mentoring Senior Account Managers and Account Managers and establishing processes that support exceptional 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 ensures internal teams are aligned to deliver measurable results. The role collaborates with POD Leads and specialists across Paid Media, SEO, Analytics, Creative, Production, and other functions to maintain 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 for innovation and added partner value.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant professional experience.
At least 5 years of experience leading key client accounts in 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 develop and maintain 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.
Strong organizational and operational management skills, including balancing multiple accounts, deadlines, and competing priorities.
Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills, including confidence engaging senior client stakeholders.
Ability to improve workflows, implement processes, and drive consistency across client-facing teams.
Ability to work from EAB/Hybrid’s Philadelphia office under the team’s hybrid work expectations and travel to partner meetings as needed.
Candidates must have U.S. work authorization that does not require employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future.

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.
Ability to build trusted-advisor client relationships while focusing on measurable campaign outcomes.

Responsibilities

Lead a portfolio of strategic education partners, overseeing client satisfaction, retention, and long-term account growth.
Partner with the Group Account Director to maintain strong client relationships and align account strategies with commercial and organizational objectives.
Advise clients on enrollment, recruitment, marketing, and business objectives, and guide integrated digital marketing strategy.
Ensure Senior Account Managers effectively manage their accounts and deliver a consistent client experience.
Lead strategic client discussions, business reviews, and planning conversations, translating campaign performance into recommendations.
Maintain knowledge of digital media, higher education marketing, emerging technologies, and industry trends.
Oversee campaign delivery quality, testing, optimization, performance monitoring, and management of digital and third-party marketing activities.
Act as the primary escalation point for complex client challenges and coordinate action plans for resolution.
Work with the Group Account Director to identify short- and long-term opportunities for innovation while addressing clients’ immediate recruitment and marketing needs.
Directly manage, coach, and mentor Senior Account Managers and Account Managers; set expectations and support professional growth.
Create individual development plans and conduct performance discussions, formal reviews, and ongoing coaching.
Foster a collaborative, supportive, high-performing team culture with strong communication, shared accountability, and continuous improvement.
Guide account managers in campaign planning, proactive client communication, and decision-making.
Support resource allocation and workload management across client priorities.
Promote collaboration across Hybrid’s international offices and establish standards for professionalism, client service, and alignment with company values.
Work with POD Leads and the Group Account Director on 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.
Improve workflows and coordination between account management and specialist teams.
Ensure reporting frameworks, dashboards, and client-facing performance materials provide useful, partner-aligned insights.
Collaborate with senior leadership and finance stakeholders on account financial management, resource planning, and team performance.
Encourage responsible adoption of AI-enabled tools, automation, and emerging technologies to improve efficiency, reporting, and client service.
Monitor campaign quality and account delivery, identify potential challenges, and coordinate solutions proactively.
Identify opportunities to expand client relationships through additional services, strategic initiatives, and innovative solutions.
Partner with the Group Account Director on client retention, renewals, and long-term commercial growth.
Collaborate with Marketing, Business Development, and Bids teams on opportunities, proposals, RFPs, and pitches.
Participate in new-business presentations and discovery conversations as needed.
Support Senior Account Managers 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, in addition to 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 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 a sleep, meditation, and relaxation app.
Fertility treatment coverage and adoption or surrogacy assistance.
Paid parental leave with a phase-back-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 membership in an employee discount program.
Access to employee resource groups, merit-based advancement, and professional growth opportunities.
Benefits begin on the first day of employment.