Associate Account Director

VML•Chicago, IL

2d•$75,000 - $180,000•Hybrid

About The Position

VML is seeking an Associate Account Director to manage program development, execution activities while driving brand strategy through retail partners and influencing the shopper along the omni-channel path to purchase. Ensure program success by building and maintaining strong customer relationships through delivery of expert counsel, understanding of the business, flawless execution, and achievement of objectives. This role is working on the largest brand for the largest retailer!

Requirements

Able to build relationships and collaborate effectively with clients, agency partners, other departments and teams to successfully deliver quality work
Able to communicate clearly, thoroughly, succinctly and in a timely manner both verbally and in writing; responds to comments, suggestions and criticisms in a thoughtful and constructive manner
Strong presentation skills; successfully presents and sells new thinking, strategies and/or ideas to clients
Strong attention to detail, organization and process orientation, demonstrated through actively and effectively managing timelines, budgets, and deliverables for multiple projects simultaneously
6 to 8 years of advertising or marketing experience; agency experience required
Shopper marketing/retail experience required, specifically with Walmart and/or Sam's Club
Comprehensive knowledge of client category and business objectives, and a clear understanding of the key strategic issues that impact the client’s business
Experience managing and/or mentoring individuals and providing actionable constructive feedback
Strong leadership, client management, and communication skills

Responsibilities

Build rapport and credibility with day-to-day and senior level clients based on trust and expert strategic counsel
Serve as an expert in the client’s business and category, staying abreast of competitors, product development and market trends, and sharing information with internal team members
Stay alert for opportunities to grow client business; research client’s category and competitive landscape; define key strategic issues and opportunities for the brand/category and impact on client’s objectives; author POVs and strategies to address issues/opportunities and present to client
Develop and execute marketing solutions to address client’s challenges
Provide well-grounded marketing recommendations and ideas to clients based on their objectives and business needs
Own development of proposals/presentations with input from account lead
Collaborate with the client, account director, strategy and creative to develop creative briefs
Manage the creative development process from concept phase through to production
Evaluate copy, layouts, artwork, media plans and productions materials and make suggested revisions in keeping with agreed upon strategy and business objectives
Quickly and effectively resolve client problems/concerns to ensure client satisfaction
Evaluate effectiveness of marketing program, make recommendations to optimize future iterations of the program and determine next steps
Lead internal and client meetings, presentations and calls; prepare relevant documents, including agendas, presentation decks and follow up communications, etc.
Manage project scopes and budgets; alert client of financial and timing implications of their request(s); secure client approval to proceed; and revise budgets as needed
Keep agency team informed of client requests and changes; anticipate potential problems and potential implications; proactively develop and execute solutions; allocate necessary resources

Benefits

Group health coverage options (medical, dental, vision)
Generous 401k match (100% dollar-for-dollar match, up to 5% of salary contribution)
Variety of paid time off offerings
Real-time feedback
Growth-oriented mindset
Training opportunities through VML and WPP

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