Account Director

Job Description

Reports to: Head of Accounts

Department: Account Services

Classification: Full-time, Exempt

THE JOB

You captain the account ship in both realms of client relationships and team health with a proven track record of driving growth. Our Account Directors wield an intimate understanding of the business and are steadfast and resilient leaders in negotiation, business development, project coordination, and operational improvements. You expertly read a room and cultivate meaningful relationships with clients all while managing a team and keeping a level head.

Account Directors are accountable for the success of our working relationships and the insights into that success. You have a keen eye on risks and fearlessly block and tackle to protect the business and teams. You sense opportunity with ease and know how to activate to turn possibilities into reality. Account Directors care deeply for our clients - making certain their goals are met and view our support as essential. AS A PERSON, YOU ARE:

A big-picture thinker with a pulse on the gritty details. You are ever-aware and planning for the collective business goal, quick on your feet to pivot and implement change when needed. You employ an intimate understanding of stakeholder needs and business operations in order to navigate the client experience for mutual benefit.

Tactful. You are skilled in building healthy relationships with clients. You are confident in your ability to navigate hard conversations and guide our stakeholders to mutually beneficial decisions with the health of our business guiding your decision-making.

Skilled leader and collaborator. You are an experienced leader of projects and teams and employ your past experience to effectively guide and inspire while being receptive to change, adapting and progressing your approach ensure ongoing success.

A highly-skilled negotiator. You are an expert at anticipating and proactively solving challenges through data-informed action and remain composed, assured, and effective under pressure.

A seasoned Producer. You understand the challenges of large-scale, fast-paced, and ever-changing creative projects. While you may not manage the tactical details in the day-to-day, you’re acutely aware of how the work is made.

Steady. You manage and resolve conflicts and challenges through proactive feedback, kind conversation, and problem-solving. You navigate and balance the needs of the business, and the needs of your stakeholders.

Perceptive. You can read a room and stay one step ahead of potential risks and opportunities — all whilst cultivating and upholding critical client relationships. AS A PEOPLE MANAGER, YOU WILL:

Lead by example, modeling our values and making them visible in your daily actions and interactions.

Communicate and motivate with the willingness to have candid conversations that drive excellence.

Inspire partnership and trust, fiercely supporting and encouraging your team to bring out the best in others and creating a culture of feedback to bring out the best in you.IN THIS ROLE, YOU WILL:

Drive growth by recognizing and seizing opportunities for expanded service offerings. Employ an intimate understanding of industry trends and look to inform and adjust our business model accordingly.

Plan, coordinate, and track budgets of $5M+. You will leverage your production and industry expertise to develop and approve large-scale proposals and scopes of work and ensure that the project finances are accurately tracked in partnership with your production team.

Present accurate and consistent insights on account health and new business opportunities to the Head of Accounts.

Properly plan and manage the transition of awarded projects, ensuring a strong kickoff that will lead to successful and timely project completion. Empower the team to ensure that client needs are met and that scopes remain on track and within budget.

Build a world-class team through conscientious management, mentorship and development of a team of producers by encouraging career growth based on key performance indicators established in partnership with Account and Agency leadership.

Translate strategic priorities and business opportunities into internal actions to improve our business. Identify, evaluate, and address continuous workflow improvement opportunities in partnership with the Creative Operations Lead.

Monitor the health of project teams, proactively flagging, implementing measures, or taking action to adjust in response to any issues for optimal morale, in partnership with your Group Director. Inform team hiring needs through utilization, capacity, and profit analysis.

AS FOR EXPERIENCE, YOU NEED:

Minimum 10 years experience in digital design or marketing in an agency large/enterprise corporate setting as a producer, account manager, or project manager with advanced experience in account planning and estimation.

Minimum 6 years experience leading and managing teams with honed insight into effective resourcing and professional development practices.

Accomplished business driver with a strong record of client engagement, retention, and growth.

Extensive experience in digital marketing with an acute understanding of digital deliverables, marketing channels, and stakeholders benefit from growing their digital presence. You remain current on best practices within applicable platforms to inform process improvements.

Proven track record of leading by example and coaching others with positive, constructive feedback. You respectfully interact with all levels of leadership and contributors, understanding and valuing cultural differences.

Intermediate to advanced knowledge of Airtable or similar experience is required.

Expert-level prioritization skills with the ability to work on a variety of projects across multiple clients within various constraints.

Bachelor's degree preferred, ideally in Advertising/Marketing, Communications, Design or a related field. Additional 2 years experience in lieu of a degree.DEPARTMENT ORG:

Reporting: This role reports to the Head of Accounts.

Coaching: This role provides coaching to Makers, Account Services, Producers, and Creative Operations.

Leadership: This role provides tangible and tactical leadership to Associate Account Directors, Account Supervisors, and Producers.

Collaboration: This role collaborates with all departments.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The following capabilities are required in order to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations that do not create an undue burden on the agency are available to address the following requirements.

Using standard office equipment, computers, and related technology.

Certain activities are performed in an environmentally controlled office setting subject to extended periods of sitting, keyboarding, and manipulating a computer mouse.

Bending, reaching, lifting, pushing, and pulling up to 25 pounds.

Travel is not anticipated for this role.

Thesis operates using a flexible hybrid model, work occurs remotely two days/week and in the office three days/week.

As a proud B-Corp, Thesis prioritizes candidates based in the Portland Metro area to allow for a hybrid working set-up in our beautiful office in NW Portland.

EEO STATEMENT

Workplace equity is not a single checkbox.

It's a vital way of thinking, working, and moving through the world. At Thesis, we prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion. You'll see this in our hiring practices, growth projects, and workplace programs — because our agency, our work, and our society are better when diverse perspectives come together.

Thesis is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Thesis will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Thesis Human Resources as for more information.

VALUES

Be Lean, Take Action: We believe in thinking big, rolling up our sleeves, and getting the job done. And while we love a good plan, we believe in using process as an engine, not a brake.

Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say: We’re all here to learn, grow, and evolve together, which requires connecting, conflicting, and embracing. Honesty and ideas are welcome; ego is not.

Show Up Fully: We invite you to bring your whole self to work — your perspective, cultural background, lived experiences — while creating room for others’ strengths to complement your own. What makes you remarkable is welcome at Thesis.

ENCOURAGEMENT

Above all, be hungry to learn and grow beyond this job description.

Research shows that women and people of color often only apply for jobs if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We understand experience can manifest in different ways, and we want to hear about it.

We also know the confidence gap and imposter syndrome can get in the way of meeting spectacular candidates. So, please don’t hesitate to apply. We’d love to hear from you.

Full-time