About this Managing Director, Account Management role at VML
Who We Are
VML 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 award-winning human-first work for clients including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendy's. In 2026, VML was named Campaign’s Global Network of the Year and ranked #2 Creative Network of the Year at Cannes Lions. VML’s global network spans 55+ markets with principal offices in Buenos Aires, Kansas City, London, New York, São Paulo, Shanghai and Singapore.
VML is part of WPP, the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. Powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform WPP Open, WPP unites cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, creativity, production, enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel.
For more information, please visit www.vml.com and follow along on LinkedIn #WeAreVML.
Who we are looking for:
VML is seeking a Managing Director, Account Management to lead a significant portion of our large, fast-growing CPG accounts in the food and beverage space. This critical role will be based in our Rogers office, operating in a hybrid workstyle unlocking opportunities with various retailers at the point of purchase level. The Managing Director is responsible for the overall strategic direction, significant growth, and financial profitability of a key client portfolio, serving as a primary executive-level agency representative to the client. This senior account leader will directly manage and develop 3-4 Account Directors and Supervisors, providing executive-level support, strategic guidance, and translating complex client business needs into clear, actionable agency strategies across various functions.
We seek a leader who can drive delivery excellence across an expansive scope, encompassing integrated marketing solutions including social media strategy, production, content deliverables, new product launches, and go-to-market strategies at the point of purchase and consumer levels. The Managing Director will be instrumental in evolving a modern operating model that embraces AI-enabled asset creation to increase speed, scale, and strategic impact. The Managing Director will also be responsible for identifying substantial growth opportunities, leading major new business pitches, and strategic account expansion initiatives.
What you’ll do:
- Lead Client Strategy & Agency Growth | Work with senior clients to deeply understand their business objectives and challenges, integrating strategies and channel plans to achieve and exceed client goals across brand and commerce campaigns. Provide executive account team leadership, ensuring clear strategic direction and the effective allocation of multi-functional support across all agency disciplines. Forge strong partnerships with cross-functional leadership within the agency to define, influence, and deliver against evolving client requirements.
- Drive Integrated Marketing Impact | Innately understand the client’s automotive business landscape and generate innovative, integrated marketing solutions that enhance client performance across all key areas, including advanced social media initiatives and successful new product launches with robust go-to-market strategies. Possess an acute understanding of both brand and social experience to guide impactful campaigns. Deliver compelling executive presentations to large, diverse groups within the client organization, showcasing strategic vision, performance metrics, and thought leadership. Lead high-level quarterly agency business reviews and frequently engage with clients on-site to shape strategy, present complex concepts, and manage executive-level relationships.
- Manage Portfolio & Develop Leaders | Oversee the comprehensive workflow and operational efficiency across the client portfolio, ensuring strategic delegation of projects and optimal resource utilization across project management, production, connections, and strategy. Directly manage and mentor a team of Account Directors and Supervisors, guiding their professional development, strategic approach, and client management skills. Drive the overall client portfolio profitability, ensuring responsible financial management, accurate forecasting, and exceeding account profit expectations.
What you’ll need:
- Minimum 12+ years of experience in progressive account leadership roles within a leading advertising agency environment, preferably managing large, complex CPG or similar global accounts.
- Senior-level experience leading commerce and retailer-driven campaigns, with a strong command of the shopper marketing landscape and partner ecosystem.
- Demonstrated expertise in developing and executing comprehensive integrated marketing strategies in brand campaigns.
- Solid strategic background with proven ability to develop channel plans and oversee complex marketing programs across multi-layered client organizations.
- Strong production experience with a deep understanding of campaign execution across various media.
- Extensive experience leading and running integrated teams across strategy, creative, production, retailer management, and project management disciplines in a fast-paced environment with periodically shifting priorities.
- Proven experience in managing and developing senior-level direct reports, managing up to 4 individuals concurrently.
- Proven ability to drive significant account growth, identify new business opportunities, and lead successful pitch efforts.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Suite and a deep understanding of delivery systems and complex project management methodologies for integrated campaigns.
- Superior interpersonal communication, negotiation, and presentation skills, with an executive presence and strategic, outgoing approach essential for navigating highly layered client and internal team structures.
- Openness and flexibility to travel as needed for executive client meetings, strategic workshops, content shoots, and new business engagements.
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.
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.
When you click "Submit Application", this will send any information you add below to VML. Before you do this, we think it's a good idea to read through our Recruitment Privacy Policy. California residents should read our California Recruitment Privacy Notice. This explains what we do with your personal data when you apply for a role with us, and, how you can update the information you have provided us with or how to remove it.
