Account Director

Who We Are

VML, part of WPP, is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected brands to drive growth. VML is celebrated for its innovative and human first, award-winning work for blue chip client partners including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendy's. The agency is recognized by the Forrester Wave™ Reports, as a Leader among Marketing Creative and Content Service Providers, Commerce Services, Global Digital Experience Services, Global Marketing Services and, most recently, Marketing Measurement & Optimization. In addition, VML's specialist health network, VML Health, is one of the world's largest and most awarded health agencies. VML's global network is powered by 26,000 talented people across 55+ markets, with principal offices in Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney.

About WPP

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company - powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.

Who we are looking for:

VML is seeking an Account Directorto support one of our largest global clients in the automotive sector. This role will be based in our Costa Mesa office in a hybrid workstyle. The Account Director is responsible for the overall management, growth, and profitability for the account and represents the agency at the client level. This senior account leader will directly supervise a growing account team, providing support, guidance, and translating client business needs into clear agency action across functions.

This role will lead senior day-to-day client relationships, drive delivery excellence across an expanding scope (including creative, strategy, social, and CRM), and help evolve a modern operating model that embraces AI-enabled ways of working to increase speed and scale. The role reports to the Managing Director, Account Management. The Account Director will also seek growth opportunities and may support new business pitches and pitch preparation as needed.

What you'll do:

• Lead | Work with clients to uncover business needs and objectives, develop appropriate strategies, and identify solutions to help achieve client goals. Provide account team leadership, and conveys specific requirements for multi-functional support to the appropriate functional management on a timely basis. Partner with cross-functional teams within the agency to define and influence the client's requirements in order to execute existing business needs and secure organic client growth.
• Drive Impact | Innately understand client's business and generate solutions to enhance client performance through innovative strategies levering WPP's proprietary AI software platforms and tools. Deliver key presentations to small and large groups within the client organization, often showcasing AI asset generation and delivery, market performance, and strategic direction. Lead quarterly agency review meetings. As needed, meet onsite with the client to develop strategy, present concepts, and manage performance.
• Collaborate | Monitor workflow across account team to ensure efficient delegation of projects. Manage the overall client profitability ensuring responsible financial management and delivery of account profit expectations. Work closely with the PMO and Campaign Strategy to ensure delivery of all campaigns, ensuring robust product launch integration. Oversee team members, providing guidance and fostering growth.

Who you are:

A builder | Entrepreneurial attitude couple with a strong business acumen. Ability and appetite to bring people together. Innate ability to marshal people and create gravity around ideas.

Open and collaborative | Our team is close-knit and supportive and we're working with a lot of unknowns - you must champion of team environments that are comfortable and encouraging.

Optimistic and resilient | Dig in and figure out how to work around problems. Yes and why not posture. Takes care of self and team. Balance needed to maintain stamina and positivity.

Ego-less | We all wear the hats that need wearing, it's a mentality that makes the team successful.

What you'll need:

• 8-10+ years of experience in account leadership within an advertising agency environment, with automotive category experience a huge plus.
• Demonstrated experience with modern, technology-enabled delivery models, including applying AI tools to scale output efficiently.
• Successful track record of client relationship development and service, particularly with large, multi-layered clients.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams spanning across strategy, creative, production, and project management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite as well as delivery systems and project management methodologies specific to product life cycle and strategy.
• An ability to adapt and thrive in fast-paced environments where priorities shift and speed matters.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills, with an outgoing and strategic approach working within layered team structures.
• Strong people leadership skills with the ability to develop junior talent and build team cohesion during rapid growth.
• Open to travel as needed for content shoots and client visits.

The base salary range for this position at the time of this posting is indicated below. Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package, click WPP Benefits for more details.

$70,000-$150,000 USD

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we've adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.


VML is a WPP agency (NYSE: WPP). For more information, please visit and follow along on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

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