Account Director

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Account Director

🔹 Company: Advertising Agency

🔹 Location: Bethesda, Maryland, United States

🔹 Job Type: On-site, Full-time

🔹 Category: Advertising & Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: April 14, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 8+ years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Strategic leadership and client relationship management
• Driving integrated marketing efforts and creative excellence
• Team leadership, mentoring, and growth
• Financial accountability and project management

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of strategic thinking, client management, and team leadership skills. Successful candidates will have a proven track record in account service within an advertising agency environment.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Own client satisfaction, growth, and profitability across assigned accounts

✅ Serve as a strategic partner, uncovering brand and business-building opportunities

✅ Lead integrated marketing efforts, from planning and KPIs to execution and reporting

✅ Partner with creative, strategy, and media teams to drive high-quality work

✅ Inspire internal teams with clear direction, urgency, and alignment

✅ Manage scopes, resourcing, and budgets with precision

✅ Forecast and track financial performance across accounts

✅ Lead client presentations, facilitate strategic discussions, and influence senior stakeholders

✅ Identify service and relationship issues early and proactively manage solutions

✅ Mentor and coach Account Leadership team members to grow and succeed

✅ Support organic growth and new business development efforts

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high level of client interaction, strategic planning, and team leadership. Candidates should be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and managing multiple projects simultaneously.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree or MBA preferred

Experience: 8+ years of account service experience in an advertising agency environment

Required Skills:

• Proven track record of growing client relationships and leading integrated marketing efforts
• Expertise in both traditional and digital marketing, including content strategy and lead generation
• Strong financial acumen and accountability, skilled in forecasting, budgeting, and managing profitability
• Demonstrated strength in project management, planning ahead, and effectively delegating responsibilities
• Exceptional communication skills, including persuasive, polished client presentations and expert-level meeting facilitation
• Confident navigating change and ambiguity while providing teams with direction and support
• Demonstrated ability in creative problem solving, strategic thinking, and identifying new opportunities
• Highly detail-oriented, organized, and deadline-driven
• Collaborative team player with a natural ability to foster teamwork and build trust
• Experience in mentoring and leading account teams to meet high standards and grow professionally
• Enthusiastic, proactive, and energized by creative and strategic challenges
• Deep understanding of client KPIs, industry landscapes, and marketing performance metrics

Preferred Skills:

• Bilingual or multilingual skills (a plus but not required)

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should possess a unique blend of strategic, financial, and interpersonal skills to excel in this role. Previous experience in an advertising agency is highly preferred.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $105,000 - 125,000 Annual DOE

Benefits:

• Company-paid Health, Life, STD, and LTD plans; employee-paid Dental and Vision.
• 401(k) plan with immediate employer matching.
• Generous Paid Time Off awarded as a lump sum on the first day of work, to include Annual Leave, Sick Leave, Paid holidays, Personal Time, and Karma Days to allow for giving back to the community, and Paid Parental Leave.
• Summer Friday Holidays: Memorial Day through Labor Day will close every Friday at 2:00pm.

Working Hours: This is a full-time position. This position regularly requires long hours and occasional weekend work.

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on industry standards for an Account Director role with 8+ years of experience in the advertising industry. Benefits are competitive and include health insurance, retirement plans, and generous PTO.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Advertising & Marketing

Company Size: Medium (100-500 employees)

Founded: 1999

Company Description:

• RP3 is a creative powerhouse helping brands outcreate and outthink, not outspend.
• Fueled by audacious optimism and razor-sharp strategy, RP3 refuses to make boring work because there is no ROI in boring.
• The agency offers a full range of advertising services, including creative, strategy, media, and account management.

Company Specialties:

• Integrated Marketing
• Brand Strategy
• Creative Advertising
• Media Planning & Buying

Company Website: rp3agency.com

ASSUMPTION: RP3 is a well-established advertising agency with a strong focus on creativity and strategic thinking. They value audacious optimism and refuse to create boring work.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level to Senior

Reporting Structure: The Account Director reports directly to the Executive Director of Account Leadership and oversees the Resource Management Team.

Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time with occasional long hours and weekend work required.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to grow into an Executive Director or other leadership roles within the agency.
• Opportunities to work on diverse client accounts and projects.
• Chance to mentor and develop junior team members.

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, including opportunities to advance within the agency and develop their leadership skills.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: On-site, collaborative workspace

Office Location(s): Bethesda, Maryland

Geographic Context:

• The Bethesda office is located in a bustling urban area with easy access to public transportation and amenities.
• The region is known for its vibrant culture, diverse communities, and high quality of life.
• Maryland is home to numerous advertising agencies and marketing firms, providing ample networking opportunities.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM with flexibility for occasional long hours and weekend work.

ASSUMPTION: The Bethesda office offers a dynamic and collaborative work environment with easy access to urban amenities and networking opportunities within the advertising industry.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Phone or video screen with the HR department
• In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
• Case study or presentation preparation and presentation
• Final interview with the Executive Director of Account Leadership

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
• Communication and presentation skills
• Client management and relationship-building abilities
• Leadership and team management skills
• Financial acumen and accountability

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your account service experience, strategic thinking, and client management skills.
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your experience in account management, team leadership, and problem-solving.
• Be ready to discuss your understanding of the agency's clients, industry landscapes, and marketing performance metrics.

ATS Keywords: Account Service, Strategic Thinking, Integrated Marketing, Client Relationship Management, Project Management, Financial Acumen, Creative Problem Solving, Team Leadership, Communication, Detail Orientation, Collaboration, Mentoring, Digital Marketing, Content Strategy, Lead Generation, Planning

ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is likely to be competitive, with a focus on assessing candidates' strategic thinking, client management, and leadership skills. Tailoring your application materials to these areas will be crucial for success.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)
• Account management software (e.g., Allocadia, Workamajig)
• Marketing automation tools (e.g., Marketo, HubSpot)

ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools is essential for this role. Familiarity with account management and marketing automation software is a plus but not required.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Audacious Optimism
• Razor-Sharp Strategy
• Refusal to Create Boring Work

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Fast-paced and dynamic
• Focused on creativity and strategic thinking

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment?
• Are you comfortable managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously?
• Do you possess strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills?
• Are you able to maintain a positive and optimistic attitude under pressure?

ASSUMPTION: RP3 values candidates who are audacious, optimistic, and committed to creating innovative and effective marketing campaigns. A strong cultural fit is essential for success in this role.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple client accounts and projects simultaneously
• Balancing strategic thinking with day-to-day account management tasks
• Navigating a fast-paced and dynamic work environment
• Occasional long hours and weekend work may be required

ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges that require strong organizational skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment. Candidates should be comfortable managing multiple projects and prioritizing their time effectively.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Unlike other account management roles, this position requires a strong focus on strategic thinking and creative problem-solving.
• This role offers the opportunity to work on a diverse range of client accounts and projects, providing ample opportunities for growth and learning.
• Compared to other advertising agencies, RP3 places a strong emphasis on audacious optimism and refusing to create boring work.

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of account management, strategic thinking, and creative problem-solving. Candidates should be prepared to work in a dynamic and innovative environment that prioritizes creativity and strategic thinking.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and implementing integrated marketing campaigns for multiple clients
• Managing project timelines, budgets, and resources to ensure successful campaign execution
• Collaborating with creative, strategy, and media teams to develop and present strategic recommendations to clients
• Identifying and pursuing new business opportunities to support agency growth

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects reflect the diverse range of responsibilities and challenges that an Account Director at RP3 may face. Successful candidates will possess strong project management, strategic thinking, and client management skills.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the typical client profile for this role?
• How does RP3 support the professional growth and development of its Account Directors?
• What are the biggest challenges facing the agency's clients in the current market landscape?
• How does RP3 approach new business development, and what role would I play in that process?
• What is the agency's approach to work-life balance, and how does that manifest in this role?

ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to help candidates better understand the role, the agency, and the industry landscape. Asking thoughtful and insightful questions demonstrates your interest in and preparation for the role.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your account service experience, strategic thinking, and client management skills.
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your experience in account management, team leadership, and problem-solving.
• Be ready to discuss your understanding of the agency's clients, industry landscapes, and marketing performance metrics.
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role.

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.