Digital Account Director

As the Digital Account Director specializing in eContent at our design agency, you will be a key leader responsible for managing and guiding digital projects with a primary focus on eContent creation and strategy. This role requires a unique blend of strategic thinking, client and project management, and effective communication. Beyond traditional skills, we value collaboration, a sense of humor, and a proactive problem-solving approach to enhance our dynamic work environment. This is a hybrid role tied to our Marks Toronto studio.

Core Expectations

As an ambassador for MARKS externally and internally, you are expected to:

• Always conduct yourself with professionalism
• Represent and project the values of MARKS
• Be able to articulate what MARKS does and our competitive points of difference
• Seek opportunities to position the organization for competitive advantage

As a senior leader of MARKS, you are expected to:

• Fully and independently own your responsibilities and deliverables
• Inform decisions to protect and serve the best interest of the organization
• Manage the delicate balance of delivering outstanding work, ensuring profitability, fostering client satisfaction, and maintaining a motivated team.
• Have a strong understanding of MARKS services, products, processes, and protocol and continue to learn
• Be able to articulate MARKS services, products, processes, and protocol as related to your department
• Regularly communicate with management
• Foster internal collaboration by actively engaging with cross-functional teams, encouraging seamless communication, and promoting a collaborative work environment.
• Lead by example; be a role model

As a people manager of MARKS, you are expected to:

• Motivate and challenge your team to achieve beyond what they think they are capable of doing
• Take responsibility for the actions of the team
• Cultivate trust and confidence among direct reports, peers, and management.

Your Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To

Relationship Building/Maintaining

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with clients, ensuring a deep understanding of their business objectives and fostering a partnership approach.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the agency and clients, ensuring transparent communication and client satisfaction.
• Obsessively client focused, always looking for ways to surprise and delight clients.
• Provides “added value” through the strength of the relationship and personal association – viewed as trusted advisor.
• Provides guidance and mentoring to Client Account Managers and/or Project Coordinators/Managers on branding disciplines, client service methods, protocol, tactics, industry terminology, and process.
• Manages and inspire cross functional teams from initial briefing through implementation to deliver highest standards of excellence in service, strategic consultation, creativity and professionalism that address client issues/objectives
• Determines “readiness” of work for client presentations with the senior creative and strategy teams.

Project Management

• Lead cross-functional teams, comprising creative designers, content creators, and digital specialists, to deliver innovative and effective eContent solutions.
• Develop project timelines, allocate resources, and oversee projects to ensure they are delivered on time and within budget.
• Proactively address project challenges and maintain a solutions-oriented approach.
• Ensures alignment with creative brief, account strategy, and understanding of client issues.
• Coordinates internal review meetings and client meetings and conference calls as appropriate.
• Ensures smooth transition of the creative/strategic process to the production process. Organizes content, flow and materials with Design Director to create a compelling, thought-provoking presentation and representation of MARKS.
• Collaborate with clients and strategic leads to develop and implement eContent strategies aligned with client business goals.
• Stay informed about industry trends, digital marketing best practices, retailer parameters and emerging technologies to inform content strategy.

Creative Direction

• Provide clear and inspiring creative direction to the design and content teams, ensuring the development of compelling and engaging eContent that aligns with client objectives.

Performance Analysis

• Utilize analytics and key performance indicators to measure the success of eContent campaigns, offering strategic recommendations for optimization.

Budget Management

• Effectively manage project budgets, ensuring resources are allocated efficiently and projects remain financially viable.
• Reviews financial performance against approved fee and expense budget.
• Manages project deliverables and requests addendums for out-of-scope work.
• Submits invoice requests, review/approves invoices, and tracks receivables.
• Manages individual financial targets, as specified by the /VP Client Services/Group Account Director/Managing Partners.

Working Knowledge of Salsify

• Possess hands-on experience with the Salsify platform for Product Experience Management (PXM), utilizing it for content syndication, digital asset management, and product content optimization.

Collaboration with Key Stakeholders

• Demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure successful project delivery and client satisfaction.
• Exhibit a proactive approach to identifying and addressing challenges during projects, fostering a problem-solving mindset within the team.
• This role presents an exciting opportunity for a strategic and creative individual to lead impactful digital projects, emphasizing collaboration, a positive work culture, and the ability to navigate challenges with a proactive and solution-oriented mindset.
• Proposal and Pitch Development:
• Collaborate with the business development team to craft proposals and actively participate in pitches for new eContent projects.
• Heads up finding new business opportunities with existing/lapse clients.
• Supports Biz Dev in developing case studies and writing proposals.
• Strategic business and brand consultation skills
• Self starter that demonstrates initiative and proactivity
• Strong team management and mentoring skills
• Creative and analytical thinker who is detail oriented
• Ability to apply discretion and judgment to actions internally and externally
• Ability to develop client-ready thinking and presentations
• Excellent organizational skills with ability to multi-task and manage priorities and timelines

A Few Qualifications That Will Help

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college
• 8+ years of related experience
• Strong background in client relationship building and team leadership (agency experience a plus)
• Demonstrated ability to present effectively to Senior clients and internal teams
• Proven ability to manage, drive and develop multiple accounts and projects simultaneously
• Capability to engage in departmental responsibilities that facilitate growth and efficiencies within MARKS
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
• Has confidence and is a strong team leader
• Strong presentation and communication skills
• Demonstrated leadership and growth capabilities

Bachelors or better.

8 years: Years of related experience

Strong background in client relationship building and team leadership (agency experience a plus)

Demonstrated ability to present effectively to Senior clients and internal teams

Proven ability to manage, drive and develop multiple accounts and projects simultaneously

Capability to engage in departmental responsibilities that facilitate growth and efficiencies within MARKS

Ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment

Has confidence and is a strong team leader

Strong presentation and communication skills

Demonstrated leadership and growth capabilities