Account Director

JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way. Our people at JLL are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services, advisory and technology for our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people and empowering them to thrive, grow meaningful careers and to find a place where they belong. Whether you’ve got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades or technology, or you’re looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, join our team as we help shape a brighter way forward. The Opportunity The Account Director is accountable for developing and implementing an account plan that delights our clients and ensures a healthy long-term relationship. This role oversees a Life Sciences account, delivering integrated facilities management (IFM) solutions. This executive leader anticipates client needs, outperforms on key contractual performance indicators, and builds financial plans that exceed revenue and profitability targets. The Account Director creates and manages high-performing teams that deliver operational excellence while keeping employees engaged and thriving. In conjunction with the Work Dynamics leadership team, this leader understands the firm's strategy and goals and translates them into business opportunities. This role serves as the top leadership position on the account. Primary Responsibilities Exceeding Client Expectations Coordinate and align IFM service delivery across all operational functions, ensuring a seamless, unified client experience that demonstrates the power of JLL's integrated facilities management platform. Create the vision for the account plan, ensuring alignment of objectives and driving high-quality results that help secure the future through no-bid contract renewals. Drive account growth by articulating IFM value propositions and identifying opportunities to expand facilities management services within the portfolio. Establish outstanding relationships with key stakeholders by soliciting feedback and excelling at world-class client service delivery. Serve as the single point of accountability across multiple sites, ensuring consistency of IFM service delivery and client experience regardless of geography or facility type. Manage competing priorities across geographically dispersed locations and diverse facility requirements while maintaining a unified account strategy. Building High-Performance Teams Ensure the highest qualified candidate is hired for all IFM roles on the account. Build actionable and measurable career development plans for all direct reports, fostering leadership capability across the IFM team. Develop bench strength and succession planning across IFM operations to ensure continuity and growth. Achieving Financial Results and Contributing to Firm's Revenue Growth Present an annual account plan that includes key objectives, client satisfaction results, summary of value-add IFM activities, and outlines targeted expansion plans within facilities management services. Proactively manage to the account budget and identify opportunities to generate additional revenue on the account. Demonstrate financial stewardship across the full IFM portfolio, optimizing resource allocation and identifying operational efficiencies. Attributes Life Sciences expertise – Understanding of the unique operational requirements, regulatory environment, and facility standards within the Life Sciences sector. GXP manufacturing knowledge – Familiarity with Good Practice (GXP) requirements and the operational complexities of supporting compliant manufacturing environments. Exemplary executive presence – Has the gravitas and sophistication to appropriately command the room both internally as a leader and externally with clients at the C-suite level. Strategic mindset – Able to see the big picture and future direction of the business, then translate vision into achievable IFM business development opportunities. Financially astute – Commercially oriented with strong financial acumen in IFM P&L management and the ability to optimize account-level profitability. Demonstrated drive for technology and passion for advancing AI Results driven – Takes corrective action quickly and decisively when performance falls short and redirection is required; highly collaborative with exceptional integrity. Obsessed with customer habits and the data derived from those behaviors; keenly aware of trends within the Life Sciences industry and able to anticipate evolving facility needs. Commercially astute – Quickly recognizes the different levers to pull to drive IFM growth and increase productivity across facilities operations. Transformational leadership – Leads change with energy and resilience to propel the business forward; has the courage to make complex decisions and take calculated risks; adjusts style to accommodate individuals and the various phases of growth. Operational "heft" – Comfort and demonstrated success with complex, large-scale IFM operations in heavily matrixed Life Sciences organizations. Life Sciences expertise – Understanding of the unique operational requirements, regulatory environment, and facility standards within the Life Sciences sector. Requirements Seasoned leader with 10+ years of Integrated Facilities Management and Commercial Real Estate executive leadership experience. Extensive IFM leadership experience with demonstrated success managing complex facilities management accounts in the Life Sciences or similar highly regulated industries. Proven track record of leading large-scale IFM teams and delivering cohesive solutions across multi-site facility portfolios. Significant experience in direct client relationship management, negotiation, and strategic consultation with executive-level stakeholders in Life Sciences organizations. Demonstrated ability to drive growth through IFM service excellence and strategic account expansion. Experience managing IFM P&L responsibility with a history of exceeding financial targets. Preferred: Life Sciences background with direct experience supporting GXP manufacturing environments, including familiarity with cGMP, GLP, GDP, or related quality and regulatory frameworks. This position does not provide visa sponsorship. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.Expected compensation for this position:177,500.00 – 250,000.00 USD per yearFinal compensation packages are determined by various considerations including but not limited to candidate qualifications, location, market conditions, and internal considerations.Location:On-site –Chicago, ILIf this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply, even if you don’t meet all the requirements. We’re interested in getting to know you and what you bring to the table!Personalized benefits that support personal well-being and growth:JLL recognizes the impact that the workplace can have on your wellness, so we offer a supportive culture and comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes mental, physical and emotional health. Some of these benefits include:401(k) plan with matching company contributionsComprehensive Medical, Dental & Vision CarePaid parental leave at 100% of salary Paid Time Off and Company HolidaysEarly access to earned wages through Daily PayAt JLL, we harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to efficiently accelerate meaningful connections between candidates and opportunities. Using AI capabilities, we analyze your application for relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications to generate valuable insights about how your unique profile aligns with the specific requirements of the role you're pursuing.JLL Privacy NoticeJones Lang LaSalle (JLL), together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading global provider of real estate and investment management services. We take our responsibility to protect the personal information provided to us seriously. 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If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process – including the online application and/or overall selection process – you may email us at View email address on click.appcast.io. This email is only to request an accommodation. Please direct any other general recruiting inquiries to our Contact Us page > I want to work for JLL.Pursuant to the Arizona Civil Rights Act, criminal convictions are not an absolute bar to employment.Pursuant to Illinois Law, applicants are not obligated to disclose sealed or expunged records of conviction or arrest.Pursuant to Columbia, SC ordinance, this position is subject to a background check for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities. 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If you are viewing this on a mobile device you may want to view the CCPA version on a larger device.Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, JLL will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.Accepting applications on an ongoing basis until candidate identified.SummaryLocation: Chicago, ILType: Full time