Account Director

VML

  • London
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 1 month ago
Account Director wanted to join our team at VML Romania.The opportunity:Are you a seasoned Client Services professional ready to lead and shape the future of a top-tier global brand in Romania? VML Romania is seeking an ambitious and strategic Account Director to take full ownership of our relationship with a key client in the tobacco industry (BAT)This is a unique opportunity for a consultancy-led leader who thrives in challenging environments to drive world-class solutions across brand and activation. You will not only manage significant P&Ls but also demonstrate thought leadership, grow teams, and truly add value to our client's business while skilfully managing multiple stakeholders with competing prioritiesWhat you'll be doing:Strategic Account Leadership
  • Craft and execute the overall account strategy, aligning with business goals and regulatory constraints.
  • Act as primary client liaison for regional leads (e.g., CEE, Balkans), anticipating business needs and maintaining strong engagement.
  • Navigate complex stakeholder landscapes, building consensus among diverse decision-makers.
  • Champion creative excellence while balancing client business objectives, ensuring our work stands out in a highly regulated industry.
Campaign Delivery & Localisation
  • Oversee global-to-local campaign rollouts-ensuring creative assets and media plans are adapted for regional nuances.
  • Coordinate multi-channel activations (digital, retail, trade, CRM, HRC) on schedule and within compliance frameworks.
  • Demonstrate resilience when facing tight deadlines and changing client requirements while maintaining creative standards.
Financial & Commercial Management
  • Drive revenue growth by identifying opportunities for creative innovation within BAT's portfolio.
  • Manage budgets, forecasting, billing and ensure delivery on financial targets.
Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Foster strong relationships between client teams and creative departments, acting as the bridge that translates client needs into creative briefs.
  • Liaise seamlessly with creative directors, art directors, copywriters, strategists, media, and production teams to deliver integrated creative work.
  • Build resilient teams that can adapt to changing client needs while maintaining creative excellence.
Business Development & New Initiatives
  • Lead creative pitches, concept presentations, and negotiations in line with strict governance
  • Identify and pitch value-driving ideas, e.g., emerging channels, data-driven activations, digital tools.
  • Lead RFPs, proposal development and negotiations in line with strict governance.
Governance & Risk Management
  • Ensure all creative executions comply with regulatory environment-especially around tobacco laws.
  • Monitor campaign performance, troubleshoot issues proactively, escalate and resolve risks.
  • Guide creative teams through complex regulatory requirements while preserving creative impact.
  • Maintain calm and solution-focused approach when navigating creative compliance challenges.
What we want from you:
  • Extensive Client/Account management experience within an agency with Global 1000/FMCG clients;
  • Proven ability to manage complex creative approval projects and processes
  • Demonstrated ability to inspire creative work, with a portfolio of successful creative campaigns
  • Proven experience across creative campaigns such as Brand positioning & Identity, integration & above the line, experiential & activation, digital and social, retail and point of sale, CRM & Loyalty, and product launches
  • Strong experience with P&L management, financial forecasting and creative production budgeting
  • Proven track record of developing and implementing account strategies to drive client growth and success
  • Experience nurturing client relationships through challenging creative development processes
  • Proven ability to thrive under pressure, adapt to changing creative briefs, and maintain creative standards
  • Expertise in integrated creative campaign development from concept to execution
  • Experience bridging client services and creative departments; managing creative approval processes
  • Prior experience understanding how to develop impactful creative campaigns within regulatory constraints
  • Top-tier presentation, negotiation, and facilitation skills across languages
  • Deep awareness of tobacco regulations across WE & SEE, compliance mindset
  • Expertise in integrated marketing and digital/digital-commerce proficiency
  • Experience working with c-suite executives
  • Previous experience mentoring and managing teams
  • Passion for emerging creative trends, innovative storytelling approaches, and new creative technologies
  • Curiosity in new channels, data & tech integration, consumer journey activation
If you know some of this, even better:
  • Proven commercial knowledge and experience in contract negotiations.
What we can offer you:At VML Romania, we believe in empowering our people. Alongside the opportunity to work with one of the most exciting global brands in the FMCG industry (specifically tobacco), we prioritize your career development and help you grow your skills. We empower you to make a difference, allow you to be yourself, and respect who you are.We offer a great benefits package including:
  • Hybrid working model that supports flexibility and collaboration.
  • Extensive training and professional development opportunities.
  • Private medical insurance.
  • Engaging social events and workshops activities.
  • Wellness sessions at the office.
Our personality and behaviours: We believe that we are what we do, not just what we say. Our shared values and behaviours show how to bring VMLs culture to life through the actions we all take every day:
  • Connect Meaningfully
  • Inspire Creatively
  • Include Purposefully
  • Approach Positively
Our brilliant, talented people are what makes VML Enterprise Solutions what we are. That's why we look for people who go beyond and always push our thinking to be better than yesterday.About VML Romania:
  • What We Do: VML is a leading global marketing agency that creates connected brands. We deliver marketing solutions that are innovative, effective, and drive growth for our clients.
  • How We Do It: We combine creativity, technology, data, and culture to build brands that truly connect with people. Our integrated approach ensures seamless experiences across all touchpoints.
  • What Makes Us Different: We are a vibrant, collaborative team passionate about pushing boundaries and delivering impactful work. We empower our people, foster a culture of continuous learning, and celebrate diversity.
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