National Account Director- Beverage

BDA•Chicago, IL

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Most companies claim to have the best people. We say to them, "Keep dreaming." Our people are second to none. They set us apart with their entrepreneurial spirit and ambition. They come to us from the likes of Amazon, Microsoft, Nordstrom, Starbucks and the sports world, bringing energy, bold ideas and a willingness to dive into the unfamiliar. It's our people that make BDA the top global Merchandise Agency to work for. National Account Director – Beverage Industry Are you a seasoned leader ready to own the strategy and execution of $30M+ in revenue across national beverage accounts? At BDA, we are looking for a National Account Manager/Director to take charge of a high-profile book of business within the Beverage Industry. This role leads a team of 6–8 direct reports and oversees complex brand and merchandising initiatives across 50+ supplier programs. It requires sharp strategic thinking, inspiring leadership, and polished executive presence—along with the agility to thrive in an extremely fast-paced, high-growth environment. Your Impact: As a National Account Director, you will be the primary driver of large-scale client success. You’ll lead internal teams, mentor up-and-coming talent, influence supplier partnerships, and steer brand direction—all while ensuring smooth, scalable delivery for enterprise beverage clients. Your ability to guide through change with positivity and resilience will help maintain and evolve a strong, results-driven culture through periods of company growth and transformation. Location: The ideal candidate will be based in Chicago, IL and open to working a hybrid work schedule. Other locations may be considered for candidates with exceptional beverage industry experience. Those that reside within a reasonable commute of a BDA office (Atlanta, GA, Indianapolis, IN, Troy, MI, Woodinville, WA, Austin, TX, Dallas, TX) will be required to follow a work schedule of 4 days in office, one day from home.

Requirements

10+ years of experience in enterprise account management, sales leadership, or national program oversight within the Beverage Industry (Beverage Industry is a requirement)
5-8 years, proven success leading or mentoring 5+ ICs through periods of rapid company growth and organizational change.
Experience managing multi-million-dollar beverage industry accounts (ideally $25M+) with complex internal and external stakeholder relationships.
Strong knowledge of supplier relationship management, particularly across merchandise and brand strategy initiatives.
Executive-level presentation skills with a commanding, polished presence and a strategic, creative communication style.
Ability to manage multiple complex projects under tight deadlines in a dynamic, high-velocity environment.
Demonstrated track record of maintaining positive culture and team performance during times of ambiguity or change.
Financial acumen including margin analysis, forecasting, and sales performance tracking.
Proficiency with CRM and order management systems (Salesforce preferred) and MS Office tools.

Nice To Haves

Experience in promotional merchandise strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Own the day-to-day relationship and strategic direction of national beverage accounts with $30M+ in annual revenue.
Manage, mentor, and inspire a team of 7–8 account management professionals, creating a collaborative culture focused on delivery and development.
Guide clients through customized promotional merchandise solutions that reflect their goals, brand, and evolving market needs.
Balance and lead 50+ active supplier initiatives while ensuring alignment with brand and merchandise strategies.
Will travel to various customer sites and for various events -- as much as 45% travel.
Drive change management efforts, maintaining team morale and positive outcomes during growth, restructuring, or evolving priorities.
Represent BDA with polish and credibility in executive-level presentations, business reviews, and strategy discussions.
Deliver business insights and performance results through compelling proposals and data-driven storytelling.
Serve as an escalation point for both clients and internal stakeholders, resolving issues with urgency and professionalism.
Collaborate across internal teams (logistics, production, design, etc.) to ensure timely and high-quality program execution.
Analyze financial reports, gross margins, and client sales performance to inform smart, scalable decision-making.
Support hiring, performance management, and ongoing development of your direct reports.
Partner with the Director on forecasting, business planning, and revenue growth for your account portfolio.