Associate Account Director Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Who we are looking for:

VML is seeking an Associate Account Director to manage program development, execution activities while driving brand strategy through retail partners and influencing the shopper along the omni-channel path to purchase. Ensure program success by building and maintaining strong customer relationships through delivery of expert counsel, understanding of the business, flawless execution, and achievement of objectives. This role is working on the largest brand for the largest retailer! 

What you'll do: 

• Build rapport and credibility with day-to-day and senior level clients based on trust and expert strategic counsel
• Serve as an expert in the client's business and category, staying abreast of competitors, product development and market trends, and sharing information with internal team members
• Stay alert for opportunities to grow client business; research client's category and competitive landscape; define key strategic issues and opportunities for the brand/category and impact on client's objectives; author POVs and strategies to address issues/opportunities and present to client
• Develop and execute marketing solutions to address client's challenges
• Provide well-grounded marketing recommendations and ideas to clients based on their objectives and business needs
• Own development of proposals/presentations with input from account lead
• Collaborate with the client, account director, strategy and creative to develop creative briefs
• Manage the creative development process from concept phase through to production
• Evaluate copy, layouts, artwork, media plans and productions materials and make suggested revisions in keeping with agreed upon strategy and business objectives
• Quickly and effectively resolve client problems/concerns to ensure client satisfaction
• Evaluate effectiveness of marketing program, make recommendations to optimize future iterations of the program and determine next steps
• Lead internal and client meetings, presentations and calls; prepare relevant documents, including agendas, presentation decks and follow up communications, etc.
• Manage project scopes and budgets; alert client of financial and timing implications of their request(s); secure client approval to proceed; and revise budgets as needed
• Keep agency team informed of client requests and changes; anticipate potential problems and potential implications; proactively develop and execute solutions; allocate necessary resources

Who you are:

• Able to build relationships and collaborate effectively with clients, agency partners, other departments and teams to successfully deliver quality work
• Able to communicate clearly, thoroughly, succinctly and in a timely manner both verbally and in writing; responds to comments, suggestions and criticisms in a thoughtful and constructive manner
• Strong presentation skills; successfully presents and sells new thinking, strategies and/or ideas to clients
• Strong attention to detail, organization and process orientation, demonstrated through actively and effectively managing timelines, budgets, and deliverables for multiple projects simultaneously

What you'll need: 

• 6 to 8 years of advertising or marketing experience; agency experience required
• Shopper marketing/retail experience required, specifically with Walmart and/or Sam's Club r
• Comprehensive knowledge of client category and business objectives, and a clear understanding of the key strategic issues that impact the client's business
• Experience managing and/or mentoring individuals and providing actionable constructive feedback
• Strong leadership, client management, and communication skills

What we offer: 

• Passionate, driven people | We champion a culture of people that do extraordinary work.
• Consciously cultivated culture | We aim to embody the behaviors to build an inclusive community that is in it together, bringing both positivity and active listening into the workplace as we simultaneously strive to empower creative bravery.
• Competitive benefits | What we offer full time hires ranges from the full spectrum of group health coverage options (medical, dental, vision) to a generous 401k match (100% dollar-for-dollar match, up to 5% of salary contribution), and a variety of paid time off offerings that reflect our investment in all aspects of your overall life balance and wellness.
• Growth-minded opportunities | We aim to nurture a culture of real-time feedback, growth-oriented mindset, and plenty of training opportunities through VML and WPP, so you can continue to grow personally and professionally.

VML is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, military/veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or other protected group status. We believe in creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion and strives to recruit a diverse slate of candidates to help us achieve that goal.