Job Description

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

What we’re looking for:

VML is seeking aGroup Account Director, Client Growth and Integration, to lead the development and expansion of VML’s most important client relationships. This role brings together strategic leadership, strong business and technology acumen, trusted client partnership, and a deep understanding of VML’s integrated capabilities. You are instrumental in identifying growth opportunities, shaping and orchestrating highly integrated solutions – particularly those leveraging VML’s technological strengths – and leading multi-disciplinary teams to deliver exceptional value and tangible business outcomes for our clients. This is a highly collaborative role for a dynamic leader who can navigate a matrixed organization, champion new ideas, and proactively drive sustained client growth by partnering with VML’s design, customer experience, data, strategy and technology leaders and specialists to cross-sell the full spectrum of our specialized services and expert teams.

What you’ll do:

• Strategic Client Partnership & Growth | Build trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders through a strong understanding of their business priorities, market landscape, and growth ambitions, while clearly articulating those perspectives across VML. Develop and execute long-term strategic account plans that align VML's advanced capabilities with client needs, driving both client success and VML's revenue growth. Identify and convert opportunities to expand our partnership across the full spectrum of VML's offerings, focusing on adjacent technology solutions.
• Integrated Technical Solution Leadership | Lead the development and presentation of client solutions that unite perspectives from across VML and are rooted in our clients’ challenges, resulting in work that is strategically grounded, technically viable, and informed by expertise across strategy, creative, technology, data, and media. Provide strategic oversight for key initiatives, ensuring solutions are innovative, effective, and align with client goals and VML's strategic direction, particularly in guiding complex technical implementations such as technology integrations, digital transformation, and product rollouts.
• Innovate & Cast Future-Forward Thinking | Showcase your strategic fluency with major tech platforms (e.g., Adobe Experience Cloud, Salesforce Ecosystem, cloud platforms, etc.), understanding their capabilities and how they can be leveraged in partnership with VML's technical teams to identify critical strategic opportunities. Steward continued learning in AI prompt writing and maintain a keen understanding of AI tools, coupled with a willingness to learn and apply emerging technologies. Proactively illustrate new, technology-driven ideas and advanced capabilities to clients, serving as a champion for innovation and effectively communicating the value proposition of our cross-functional teams.

• Steward Financial & Business Acumen | Oversee account financial health, including forecasting, budgeting, and profitability. Lead new initiatives with finance and operations leadership to drive efficiencies in our current model / team structure. Negotiate contracts and statements of work, safeguarding VML’s interests while strengthening client relationships.

What you’ll need:

• 10+ years of progressive experience in account management or client leadership within a consultative, advertising, or technology agency environment.
• Exceptional proven track record of consistently achieving significant up-sell and cross-sell with clients, specifically by identifying and advocating for technology, data, creative, and media specializations.
• Advanced proficiency with AI prompts and a strong understanding of AI tools, coupled with a proactive willingness to continuously learn and strategically apply generative AI in partnership with VML’s specialists for client solutions.
• Strategic fluency and a deep understanding of major tech platforms (e.g., Adobe Experience Cloud, Salesforce Ecosystem, leading CRM/CMS platforms, experience with eCommerce engines, cloud services like AWS/Azure/GCP, etc.), enabling effective collaboration with VML's technical architects and experts.
• A compelling mix of industry experience across various categories, demonstrating adaptability and the ability to apply a strategic understanding of technology to diverse client challenges.
• A proven ability to connect client needs to VML’s diverse specializations and identify opportunities for adjacent offerings.
• Proven willingness and excitement to proactively present new, complex ideas and advanced capabilities to clients, coupled with exceptional persuasive communication and negotiation skills.
• Comfort with creative processes and work, combined with a strong strategic understanding of technology integrations, digital transformation roadmaps, product rollouts, and enterprise-level system architecture, and a proven ability to partner effectively with technical experts.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, capable of influencing and advising senior-level C-suite stakeholders on complex business strategies informed by technology.
• Superior strategic thinking, robust analytical capabilities, and advanced problem-solving skills, particularly in identifying how VML’s technology capabilities can address client business challenges.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, managing multiple complex priorities and projects effectively by orchestrating expert teams.

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   www.vml.com, and follow along on Instagram,  LinkedIn, and  X

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