VP, Account Director

A VP/Account Director occupies a senior position in account service and typically reports to a SVP, Account Director. The primary job function is to set agency standards by supervising their teams so that existing business is successfully managed and grown. Seven core competencies must be mastered for this position, described below.
Strategic Thinking
Initiates and spearheads strategy at all levels of the business
Actively participates in the development of copy strategy/positioning
Fosters solid analyses of markets and competitive environments by account teams
Maintains quality control on issues development
Ensures alignment between issues, strategies and programming
Builds commitment to strategy/process within the agency and brand teams
Understands and utilizes agency strategic tools
Offers strategic solutions that surpass common practice
Creative/Branding
Encourages and contributes to the development of world-class creative
Constructively reviews creative to ensure strategic alignment and enhance its impact on building the brand
Creates the means to maximize selling of the creative product (e.g. anticipates objections, identifies ‘hot buttons’, adds Showtime elements, creates hype, rehearses team)
Manages critiques of the creative product and ensures proper interpretation of comments/concerns
Champions the creative product
Seeks/helps develop creative solutions that surpass common practice
Understands and helps drive the branding process
Driving the Business
Drives income beyond forecast
Identifies business development opportunities and assesses their income impact
Fosters and generates proposals for incremental business building
Supports client in forecasting and development of the A/P budget
Helps the agency to set new standards within the industry
Identifies opportunities for sister/partner companies
Supports new business pitches as needed
Client Relations
Develops and maintains harmonious client relationships
Effectively represents agency POV to client
Effectively leads both account and brand teams
Demonstrates support and commitment to agency’s processes, product and services
Positions agency at its best with client
Ensures well-rounded, high quality support of client business (strategic, creative, management attention, social)
Elevates issues or opportunities to more senior agency level as appropriate
Management/Leadership
Maintains and supports agency management in maintaining, a strong, valued presence with clients and in agency
Ensures adherence to standards of excellence
Effectively manages and supervises team members
Appropriately counsels staff on internal and external issues
Monitors and evaluates performance of staff (identifying strengthens, weaknesses, and areas for development); does timely and actionable personnel news
Identifies and helps resolve people/departmental conflicts with practical solutions
Celebrates/acknowledges achievements of staff with agency and client
Contributes positively to agency culture and environment
Agency Operations
Delivers accurate and realistic forecasts (annually and quarterly)
Routinely monitors financial performance of accounts to maximize income generation
Assists with fee negotiations and ensures routine monitoring for accuracy/adjustments
Ensures smooth work flow management and procedure adherence among accounts
Ensures compliance with agency expectations for standard documentation and reports (contact reports, reco’s, client status reports, etc.)
Identifies agency areas for improvement including competitive issues
Fundamentals
Has in-depth knowledge of industry and driving forces
Continually maintains/strengthens understanding of brands and businesses
Generates results through effective written and oral communications
Upholds highest work standards and quality control
Excellent interpersonal and listening skills
Strong management skills
Manages time effectively
Demonstrates solid, professional work ethic
Shows strong analytical and decision making abilities
Demonstrates passion for the brand and creative product

Employment type
Full-Time

Work arrangement
No