Account Director

DEPARTMENT : Account Leadership

REPORTS TO : Group Account Director or Managing Director

TRAVEL : 40-50%

FLSA STATUS : Exempt

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES : Yes

LOCATION : Austin

You, as an Account Director , own your own business. More than any other position, you embody the entrepreneurial spirit that's empowered GSD&M's success from the very beginning. You are the idea team commander process champion, momentum owner, conscience of the team and the cultivator of great ideas and talent. Your partnership with the client is crucial in creating the trust that builds momentum for everything that follows. You create an environment that fosters bravery and optimistic problem-solving.

Position-Specific Responsibilities / Duties :

Be a Fearless Leader

Foster an environment that promotes risk-taking and bravery. Lead by example. Get to know your team and practice empathy. Set account and individual goals and help everyone succeed. As a leader of the integrated idea team, demonstrate cross-channel engagement and expertise.

Champion Intelligent and Inspiring Strategy

Partner in paying the price to solve the real problem. Lead insightful briefs and smart plans and then sell the heck out of them.

Fuel Creativity

Creative is not a department. Run the wall engage in the work and partner with creative directors. Inspire ideas and build on others. Stoke the fires with the client. Talk to them about great ideas outside of their business, and set the stage for presentations.

Everything you do is in service of the work.

Be a Trusted Client Partner

You own the responsibility for the success of the client relationship. Develop a rhythm of Client / Agency Relationship Review meetings every three to six months. These should be in person and in writing. This tactic has been proven to uncover simmering issues and protect the life of our relationships with and revenue from clients. Track results and lead optimization. Be the gold standard for collaboration and integration. One of GSD&M's great advantages in the marketplace is our approach to collaboration and integration, and you are the standard-bearer. Help our clients be heroes in their organization. Most importantly, always do what you say you're going to do ensure the agency delivers.

Own Financial Responsibility

The agency's money is your money. Understand how to build a scope of work and efficient staffing plan. Manage P&L and look for growth opportunities. You are ultimately responsible for the profitability of your account.

Remain Curious

Cultivate an insatiable appetite for understanding. Hone your craft seek knowledge of the changing marketplace and emerging opportunities and educate your team.

Maximize Talent

Grow your ranks. Train, guide and empower. Foster safe risk-taking. Provide radical, generous, ongoing candor. Be a champion for the agency and seek out new talent.

Be Unflappable

You set the tone for every conversation. Be the level-headed voice of reason. Demonstrate a commanding presence, but listen. Lead the conversation but incite participation. Organize the chaos and calm the waters.

Own the Momentum

Drive processes and be involved. Inspire action in your team. Nurture ideas until they're bulletproof and executed.

• BA required, MBA a plus. Prefer concentration in advertising, communications or marketing
• Eight to ten years of agency experience (preferred) or related communication industry experience that provides an understanding of advertising, marketing, paid and social media, creative, production, research, direct marketing, finance, etc.
• Strategic thought leadership
• Strong presentation and writing skills
• Strong listening and interpersonal skills
• Management and team-building skills
• Must be highly organized and detail oriented in a production intensive environment
• Proficient in MS Office Suite or Mac equivalent.

Key Characteristics / Desired Competencies :