Account Director
Position: Account Director
Reports To: Strategic Development Director
Job Details: Full-Time
Salary: $95,000 - $130,000
Location: Remote or hybrid in-studio in Austin, TX or NYC preferred
ABOUT US
Interact Brands is a branding agency with a deep focus on consumer brands, specializing in creating meaningful and memorable brand identities that connect with culture and resonate in today’s marketplace. Our team is driven by collaboration, creativity, and impact, consistently pushing boundaries to bring out the best in our work and in each other. We operate in a dynamic, flexible environment with a commitment to both remote and hybrid work.
ACCOUNT TEAM
The Account team at Interact serves as collaborative advocates for the brilliant work that our Strategic and Creative teams are bringing to life alongside our brand partners. Our team has a deep understanding of the industry, allowing us to identify opportunities and actively seek solutions for our clients on an ongoing basis. We encourage a thriving working environment through thoughtful communication, offering strategic thinking to support great ideas, and celebrating wins big and small.
POSITION OVERVIEW
Account Directors at Interact are an integral part of the Account team, as well as informing structure and processes to identify key areas of opportunity for our growing Account team. This role is expected to forge relationships with key clients and internal team members and work alongside the Strategic Development Director to contribute toward a successfully functioning department. Account Directors act as a prime example and supportive authority for the Account team and develop relationships with each of our clients, identifying areas of opportunity for expanding engagements and establishing Interact as the go-to partner for future opportunities.
Account Directors should be best in class with client management throughout the studio by leading a variety of strategic projects and having the ability to collaborate with all facets of the agency. In partnership with the Strategic Development Director, Account Directors are responsible for assigning team members to projects, leading the charge in agency process optimizations, developing the Account department objectives, and ensuring the Account team is contributing toward hitting our annual agency goals.
Account Directors will potentially manage and mentor Account Supervisors and Senior Account Managers.
Account Directors will report directly to the Strategic Development Director.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Account Leadership
- Develop and track progress towards annual agency and department goals on an ongoing basis and report to leadership on a quarterly basis.
- Represent the Account team in necessary leadership conversations and contribute to initiatives.
- Identify untapped opportunities to promote agency success and carry out necessary changes for continued improvement.
- Assist in shaping agency structure, processes, workflow, and principles alongside the Strategic Development Director.
- Exercise excellent judgment in account team KPIs and initiatives, while managing changing priorities, and keeping the account team informed.
- Communicate regularly with the Strategic Development Director regarding team successes, opportunities, and areas for improvement.
- Participate in Interact's recruiting and hiring efforts for various roles in partnership with HR and Recruiting Manager.
- Manage Account team bandwidth and anticipate annual hiring needs alongside the Strategic Development Director, HR and Recruiting Manager and Managing Director.
- Monitor agency revenue progress, particularly the Account Teams contributions from recurring clients.
- Act as a soundboard and liaison for client concerns, mitigating and problem-solving issues as needed.
Client Relations
- Develop and maintain successful relationships with key clients as a trusted partner and advocate for the agency.
- Lead Tier 1 projects, facilitating key conversations, educating clients on our process and building meaningful relationships.
- Immerse yourself in clients' brand, business, category, dynamics, and challenges.
- Stay updated on relevant trends in the food and beverage industry, branding, design, innovations, and sustainability, and share client-specific findings when appropriate.
- Establish and enforce boundaries to foster a healthy working relationship.
- Monitor projects for delays and scope creep, taking appropriate action when necessary and ensuring the Creative Services Team knows the latest and greatest regarding project health.
- Accurately record all client communications and approvals.
- Identify opportunities to generate additional revenue from existing clients.
- Lead meetings professionally, efficiently, and effectively.
Account Team Management & Development
- Lead by example by promoting best practices and continuous improvement in client management and workflows.
- Directly manage Account Supervisors/Senior Account Manager. This includes conducting performance reviews.
- Provide oversight, mentorship, and support to the Account Team.
- Monitor the Account Team's capacity and inform resourcing decisions for new business and recurring clients.
- Collaborate closely with the Creative Services Director and Managing Director to align on project resourcing, budgets, and timelines.
- Delegate tasks clearly and concisely to relevant Account Team members.
- Ensure projects stay on track, adhering to agreed upon timelines and budgets.
- Resolve Account Team or client issues promptly and effectively.
- Lead Account Team meetings as needed
- Share thought leadership and industry-relevant articles to stay up to date on clients and trends.
- Provide growth opportunities and encourage ongoing education for the full Account Team.
- Manage Account direct report’s out-of-office requests to ensure proper coverage for seamless project progression.
Creative Process and Project Management
- Collaborate with Creative and Strategic leads to guide the creation of concepts and deliverables aligned with client objectives.
- Contribute ideas, manage or delegate research, strategy, and creative initiatives.
- Thoroughly understand the client's brief, objectives, and guidelines to ensure deliverables meet requirements.
- Drive highest possible quality control in all agency services and deliverables.
- Ensure thorough proofreading of presentations, mechanical files, etc., or delegate as needed.
- Maintain accurate daily timekeeping using the agency's time management software and meeting ongoing billable / utilization targets.
KEYS TO SUCCESS
- Act as a leader and empathetic mentor, making informed and unbiased decisions.
- Embrace challenges with a solution-oriented mindset.
- Have a partnership mentality with clients, working alongside them to achieve their goals and objectives.
- Confidently handle conflict management with clients on behalf of the Account Team.
- Enjoy meeting new people and forming meaningful relationships with colleagues and clients alike.
- Network and form meaningful relationships as a representative of the agency.
- Enthusiastic about the creative process and bringing projects to life for our clients.
- Have the ability to write, think and communicate in a strategic and concise manner.
- Consider yourself detail-oriented, organized, and a clear communicator.
- Effectively influence the strategic and creative trajectories of projects.
- Thrive in a fast-paced creative environment.
REQUIREMENTS
- 8+ years of experience in the branding, design, and/or advertising industry
- 5+ years of experience leading clients & projects
- 3+ years managing a team and/or Junior to Mid-level team members
- Available to work 9am-5pm MST
- Location: Remote or in-studio in Austin, TX or NYC preferred
- Remote employees must be located in these states: CA, CO, TX, MA, NY, OR, WA
BENEFITS
- Health, Dental, Vision insurance coverage for Interact employees and their families
- Paid maternity/paternity leave after 6 months of service
- Remote work flexibility with hybrid office spaces in Austin and NYC
- Flexible vacation policy - up to 23 days of PTO per year
- Sick days - accrue 1 hour for every 30 hours
- 3.5+ weeks paid holiday closures including Interact Disconnect Day
- Summer Fridays - studio closes at 1PM MST
- Mind Reset Stipend - $100/quarter flexible mental, physical health reimbursement
- Access to a 401K plan and company match up to 4% after 6 months of service
- Professional development opportunities
- MacBook laptops
SALARY
$95,000 - $130,000
Starting base salary depends on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, market demands, experience, training, and education.
This position is eligible for bonus pay.
OUR COMMITMENT
Interact Brands is committed to equitable hiring and employment practices and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, genetic information, service in the military, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances.
Ready to Apply? Click HERE and fill out the form, if your qualifications match what we ware looking for someone from the Interact hiring team will reach out!