Account Director - Local Activations (Chicago, IL) - The Marketing Arm

The Marketing Arm has an immediate need for an Account Director to oversee an integral, enormous program on one of the agency’s largest accounts. Candidate must: be an innovative and strategic leader with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment; meet stringent deadlines with a positive, “do-what-it-takes” attitude; anticipate and solve problems; manage, motivate and coach a dynamic team including multiple direct reports; require accountability for results; integrate both internal and external partners.

Experience must include overseeing and cultivating client relationships; project management (including strategy, operations, client service, and execution) and solid knowledge of experiential activations within the sports, music, entertainment and promotions industry. Experience managing field teams and multi-city, long-term programs preferred.

Who You Are

You’re passionate about your work and commit to whatever it takes to get the job done. You are a natural connector who believes the team is stronger than the individual. You have an entrepreneurial spirit. You look, you learn, you envy and you become better. You’re a big picture thinker who’s courageous enough to pursue your passions.

Responsibilities

The primary roles of the Account Director are to be the strategic liaison for clients and external partners as well as serve as the internal team lead overseeing the program and staff management:

• Demonstrate confidence, authority and solid decision making as the team’s leadership voice.
• Understand program goals and be able to mold the program to meet them
• Provide oversight of agency resources to ensure projects are delivered as promised, on time and on budget, and create positive business results.
• Effectively plan and organize the work of yourself and your team to handle the account efficiently and productively.
• Broker strategic partnerships/alliances that provide clients with never-before-done ideas that drive business performance.

Team leader:

• Create an inspiring working environment that encourages the team to push the limits of ideas and their own career growth.
• Evaluate support staff and develop individual growth plans.
• Work with agency leadership on internal initiatives.

Exhibit mastery of written business communication as well as presentation skills:

• Lead internal and client presentations.
• Develop a persuasive presentation and story-telling style.
• Be clear in communication and written direction to team members and clients.

Exhibit problem-solving abilities and provide solid, efficient solutions:

• Work with team to proactively mitigate and resolve problems.
• Actively assess agency processes and business challenges to improve outcomes.

Skills/Responsibilities:

• Strong strategic thinker; beyond the project to understand the business at a higher level
• Outstanding communication, presentation, numerical, written and verbal skills
• Ability to determine overall program successes – identify measurable objectives, analytical review and insights beyond direct metrics
• Standardize best practices for client program execution, budgets, tracking, and post-program reporting
• Ability to present to company management and clients at most senior level
• Ability to screen / hire and develop staff through training staff, planning, assigning, & directing work flow
• Activate assignments and encourage partnership with cross functional agency team members
• Actively participate in development of corporate culture