Account Director

# Account DirectorAll Careers# Account Director#### **Brand:** VML#### **Capability:** Client & Business Leadership#### **Location:** Chicago, IL, United States#### **Last Updated:** 5/18/2026#### **Requisition ID:** 15526### **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 WaveTM 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:**The Account Director is a strategic leader and trusted advisor to our key retail partners and internal stakeholders. You will define and drive strategic objectives for major shopper retail accounts, proactively identify and capitalize on growth opportunities, and significantly influence long-term commercial success.This role demands a deep understanding of our retail partners' overarching business strategy, market challenges, and long-term marketing ambitions. You will translate this understanding into actionable strategic plans and proactively identify significant growth opportunities for both VML and our retail partners. Crucially, you will leverage a profound understanding of retail dynamics and shopper behavior to unlock new avenues for market share expansion and brand loyalty. You will lead the strategic direction and profitable growth of one or more major accounts/brands, consistently demonstrating a strategic mindset to go beyond execution, challenge conventions, and identify innovative paths to grow the business.### **What You'll Do:*** **Strategic Account Leadership:** Lead and inspire cross-functional teams (including internal brand teams, shopper marketing, insights, finance, supply chain) to deliver integrated, omni-channel solutions for our retail partners. Partner closely with brand teams to support planning efforts and ensure alignment.* **Retail Shopper Strategy & Innovation:*** **Develop, champion, and execute cutting-edge retail shopper strategies, specifically focusing on traditional shopper marketing deliverables** such as in-store toolkits, digital assets, banners, landing pages, and aisle takeovers.* Leverage deep insights into consumer behavior, path-to-purchase, and in-store/online dynamics to optimize merchandising, promotions, and overall brand presence within the retail environment.* Drive the translation of complex shopper data and trends into actionable business outcomes that enhance the shopper journey and drive measurable sales growth.* Collaborate with internal marketing and insights teams to develop best-in-class retail activations that resonate with target shoppers.* **Retail Partner Relationship Management:** Serve as the primary strategic thought partner and senior point of contact for key **retail partner** stakeholders, building and nurturing deep, trusted relationships at executive levels.* **Team Leadership:** Fostering a culture of high performance, continuous improvement, and deep shopper marketing expertise within your team.* **Operational & Strategic Excellence:** Ensure strategic and operational excellence across all managed accounts and initiatives, delivering consistently high-quality outcomes.* **Market & Competitive Intelligence:** Continuously deepen expert knowledge of the **retail partner's** business landscape, competitive environment, and evolving industry trends, translating insights into strategic growth opportunities.* **Proactive Opportunity Identification:** Proactively identify, champion, and close significant new business opportunities and innovative solutions that drive mutual growth for [Company Name] and the **retail partner**, positioning [Company Name] as a thought leader in the industry, especially around retail shopper solutions.* **Executive Communication:** Lead and strategically participate in all critical **retail partner engagements**, including high-level strategy sessions, joint business planning, and executive presentations.### **Who You Are:*** **A Builder:** Possessing an entrepreneurial attitude coupled with strong business acumen. You have an innate ability to rally people around ideas, create momentum, and bring strategic visions to life.* **Open and Collaborative:** You thrive in a dynamic, supportive team environment. You are a champion of inclusive cultures that encourage active listening and courageous idea-sharing, especially when navigating complex challenges.* **Optimistic and Resilient:** You possess a "yes, and why not" posture, tackling problems head-on and finding creative solutions. You prioritize well-being for yourself and your team to maintain stamina and positivity.* **Collaborative Leader:** You are a leader who prioritizes collective success, readily contributes where needed, and fosters an environment of shared ownership and achievement.### **What You'll Need:*** ESSENTIAL: Deep expertise and a proven track record in retail shopper marketing and commerce, with hands-on experience developing and executing deliverables such as in-store toolkits, digital assets, banners, landing pages, and aisle takeovers.* Demonstrated ability to translate complex shopper data into actionable business outcomes and drive measurable sales growth**.*** Proven success working with CPG retailers, ideally within the food and beverage sector.* Strong understanding and hands-on experience in digital commerce and omni-channel strategies within a retail context.* Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and inspire diverse cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders.* Strategic and decisive leader, confident in taking and defending data-driven positions.### **What We Offer:*** The opportunity to work for a global leader dedicated to enhancing quality of life and contributing to a healthier future.* Influence the strategy and growth of iconic, world-renowned brands and directly impact the retail landscape.* A culture that champions innovation, diversity, inclusion, and sustainability.* Comprehensive benefits package and competitive compensation aligned with a global leader.* Significant career development and advancement opportunities within a dynamic international organization.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—$140,000 USDWe 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr