What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Account Director position at VML?
Who We Are: At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.
Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150 offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences.
Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work. VML is in search of an Associate Account Director.
The Associate Account Director is responsible for overall agency services on an account(s) providing supervision, growth and development of the business with our team and client partners. As an externally facing role, the Associate Account Director is responsible for developing and maintaining a close relationship with senior-level client contacts, establishing VMLY&R as leaders on the business, helping to achieve clients’ business objectives, and managing internal/external facets of that business relationship and the programs included.
Associate Account Directors must be energetic and active proponents of all client partnerships within the agency and participate in and lead any external cross-functional teams. Leadership is rooted in strategic partnership with a focus on absolute understanding of the client’s business (objectives, risks and strategies). They are the core contact for all partner relationships and day-to-day client activities and must be able to articulate the vision and value of all agency attributes and points of differentiation. They are also responsible for the core growth and development of the account team, including goal-setting performance evaluations. Financial responsibilities may include monthly billing, forecasting and updating clients on monthly billing and expenses. This candidate should be prepared for a fast-paced environment and must be comfortable making decisions.
What you’ll do:
Collaboratively responsible for development of long-term account success and growth by participating in Client Engagement plan development and execution. Gains and maintains expert knowledge of client’s business, industry and competition.
Drives execution and measurement of final plan, ensuring proactive thought leadership and growth initiatives are carried out.
Supervises all work, providing oversight and guidance on current work (80%), while also pursuing new opportunities (20%).
Builds and maintains client relationships, both with day-to-day clients and more senior level contacts.
Participates in key client meetings: Presentations of VMLY&R work; Client briefings; Strategy sessions; Agency Day meetings; Cross-agency partner meetings. May supervise and develop direct reports.
Partners with closely with other internal partner teams (Strategy, Design, Project Management, Operations, etc) to deliver timely internal and external projects.
Financial management responsibilities include monthly projections and billing, monthly budget review with clients.
Regularly meets with senior Client Engagement leader(s) on status of business, support needed, brainstorming, and escalation as needed.
Who you are:
A collaborative, team player with strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
Detail-oriented, a strong communicator and effective storyteller.
Able to handle multiple projects at once with a keen eye for prioritization.
What you’ll need:
Comfortable working in and leading integrated agency relationships.
Able to lead strategic efforts across multi-channel engagements.
Able to develop and disseminate strategic direction across internal cross-functional teams.
Proficiency with Customer Experience service and business design.
Familiarity with automotive a plus
Familiarity with complex, multi-stakeholder or franchisee business models a plus
Familiarity with HCD principles and processes
Five to eight years of experience, which may include large-agency, start-up or client- side marketing, digital, or CX experience focusing on strategy, innovation and an entrepreneurial approach to building brands.
Ability to work from company and client partner offices on routine basis
Ability to travel (<10%, with advance notice) for client and agency initiatives
At VML, we are committed to fostering an all-inclusive work environment that is both rewarding and career-forward. Our Inclusion, Equity & Belonging initiatives, alongside the VML Foundation, reflect our dedication to giving back and making a positive impact in our communities and beyond. Our people are the heartbeat of our organization—creators, doers, innovators, makers, and thinkers—who drive not just marketing, but meaningful experiences that resonate in every action and interaction.
VML is a WPP Agency. For more information, please visit our website, and follow VML on our social channels via Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
When you click "Submit Application", this will send any information you add below to VML. Before you do this, we think it's a good idea to read through our Recruitment Privacy Policy. California residents should read our California Recruitment Privacy Notice. This explains what we do with your personal data when you apply for a role with us, and, how you can update the information you have provided us with or how to remove it.
Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150 offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences.
Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work. VML is in search of an Associate Account Director.
The Associate Account Director is responsible for overall agency services on an account(s) providing supervision, growth and development of the business with our team and client partners. As an externally facing role, the Associate Account Director is responsible for developing and maintaining a close relationship with senior-level client contacts, establishing VMLY&R as leaders on the business, helping to achieve clients’ business objectives, and managing internal/external facets of that business relationship and the programs included.
Associate Account Directors must be energetic and active proponents of all client partnerships within the agency and participate in and lead any external cross-functional teams. Leadership is rooted in strategic partnership with a focus on absolute understanding of the client’s business (objectives, risks and strategies). They are the core contact for all partner relationships and day-to-day client activities and must be able to articulate the vision and value of all agency attributes and points of differentiation. They are also responsible for the core growth and development of the account team, including goal-setting performance evaluations. Financial responsibilities may include monthly billing, forecasting and updating clients on monthly billing and expenses. This candidate should be prepared for a fast-paced environment and must be comfortable making decisions.
What you’ll do:
Collaboratively responsible for development of long-term account success and growth by participating in Client Engagement plan development and execution. Gains and maintains expert knowledge of client’s business, industry and competition.
Drives execution and measurement of final plan, ensuring proactive thought leadership and growth initiatives are carried out.
Supervises all work, providing oversight and guidance on current work (80%), while also pursuing new opportunities (20%).
Builds and maintains client relationships, both with day-to-day clients and more senior level contacts.
Participates in key client meetings: Presentations of VMLY&R work; Client briefings; Strategy sessions; Agency Day meetings; Cross-agency partner meetings. May supervise and develop direct reports.
Partners with closely with other internal partner teams (Strategy, Design, Project Management, Operations, etc) to deliver timely internal and external projects.
Financial management responsibilities include monthly projections and billing, monthly budget review with clients.
Regularly meets with senior Client Engagement leader(s) on status of business, support needed, brainstorming, and escalation as needed.
Who you are:
A collaborative, team player with strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
Detail-oriented, a strong communicator and effective storyteller.
Able to handle multiple projects at once with a keen eye for prioritization.
What you’ll need:
Comfortable working in and leading integrated agency relationships.
Able to lead strategic efforts across multi-channel engagements.
Able to develop and disseminate strategic direction across internal cross-functional teams.
Proficiency with Customer Experience service and business design.
Familiarity with automotive a plus
Familiarity with complex, multi-stakeholder or franchisee business models a plus
Familiarity with HCD principles and processes
Five to eight years of experience, which may include large-agency, start-up or client- side marketing, digital, or CX experience focusing on strategy, innovation and an entrepreneurial approach to building brands.
Ability to work from company and client partner offices on routine basis
Ability to travel (<10%, with advance notice) for client and agency initiatives
At VML, we are committed to fostering an all-inclusive work environment that is both rewarding and career-forward. Our Inclusion, Equity & Belonging initiatives, alongside the VML Foundation, reflect our dedication to giving back and making a positive impact in our communities and beyond. Our people are the heartbeat of our organization—creators, doers, innovators, makers, and thinkers—who drive not just marketing, but meaningful experiences that resonate in every action and interaction.
VML is a WPP Agency. For more information, please visit our website, and follow VML on our social channels via Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
When you click "Submit Application", this will send any information you add below to VML. Before you do this, we think it's a good idea to read through our Recruitment Privacy Policy. California residents should read our California Recruitment Privacy Notice. This explains what we do with your personal data when you apply for a role with us, and, how you can update the information you have provided us with or how to remove it.
