Group Account Director (Tobacco)

About VML

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 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.

VML is a WPP agency (NYSE: WPP). For more information, please visit  www.vml.com, and follow along on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

JOB SUMMARY

Are you a seasoned agency leader ready to drive significant client success and shape our strategic direction? We are thrilled to announce three immediate openings for Group Account Directors to join our rapidly expanding team.

The Group Account Director plays a leadership role overseeing a multi-market, dark-marketing business portfolio with strong growth ambitions across the account. Acting as second-in-command to the Business Unit Head, this role is accountable for both the strategic direction and commercial growth of the portfolio, while championing people-first leadership and operational excellence. GAD will collaborate closely with multiple internal & external stakeholders to broaden and future-proof the business offering, deepen client trust, and elevate standards of work across the ecosystem.

JOB DESCRIPTION

1. Business expansion & CX growth

• Shape and grow CX as a new strategic business pillar within the portfolio.

• Partner with the Business Unit Head to architect portfolio growth, expanding upstream into business design, data-driven CX strategy and expand current market opportunities.

• Develop operational & commercial roadmaps that future-proof the client relationship beyond just business-as-usual tasks & campaigns.

• Translate emerging signals into revenue opportunities before they become briefs.

2. Strategic client leadership

• Serve as senior counsel to C-level and transformation stakeholders, influencing both marketing and broader enterprise strategy.

• Challenge constructively, advocate for progress, and elevate the agency into the role of trusted long-term partner.

• Navigate a dark-marketing environment with high confidentiality, low visibility and high strategic importance.

3. Commercial & operational ownership

• Oversee revenue forecasting, profitability, pricing and scope including QA & QC governance.

• Continuously refine ways of working to increase clarity, flow and velocity.

• Partner with internal stakeholder leads across multiple team disciplines to strengthen operating models as the account scales.

• Pre-empt risk and maintain trust through strong stakeholder alignment.

4. Talent & team leadership

• Develop and mentor future leaders; instill EQ, strategic opinions and sharpness QA & QC.

• Model “people-first” leadership that protects both growth and wellbeing.

• Create a reputation for a high-performing, respected team.

• Lead by influence, not title, taking the room without forcing it.

5. Reputation, craft & excellence

• Uphold the highest standard of craft across creative, strategic, experience and operational delivery.

• Ensure the business shows up as “best in class” in every interaction, internally and externally.

• Protect the agency’s brand and reputation through quality, integrity and composure.

WHO THIS ROLE IS FOR

• A business builder, not just an account custodian. Think in terms of growth, long-term value creation and portfolio evolution.

• A natural second-in-command, confident partnering closely with the Business Unit Head and stepping in to lead the business when needed.

• A people-first leader who builds trust, capability and empathy, while upholding high performance and craft standards.

• Fluent in CX, seeing it as a revenue and relationship growth frontier.

• Comfortable operating upstream with senior clients, shaping thinking and influencing decisions before briefs are issued.

• Commercially sharp, with strong instinct for whitespace, opportunity spotting and early-stage growth conversations.

• Calm, composed and decisive in fast-moving environments. Able to bring clarity in momentum and maturity in pressure moments.

• Motivated by building a team’s legacy and reputation, not just delivering work.

• Respected for executive presence with poise. Earn the room through maturity, judgement and character.

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.

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