Account Manager at VML (Chicago Illinois, United States)Account Manager

VML is a global creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce to create connected brands that drive growth. Guided by a Human First philosophy, VML is known for its innovative work for brands and consistently ranks among the world’s leading creative companies, including the WARC Creative 100. 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.comand follow along on  LinkedIn #WeAreVML.

Who we are looking for:

THOMPSON is seeking an Account Manager in a field marketing role. The Account Manager should be flexible, proactive, responsive, and organized. The Account Manager will establish excellent working relationships and immerse themselves in the advertising industry by asking questions, seeking new experiences, and subsequently building their knowledge base. The Account Manager plays a critical role in supporting the District Account Team and the day-to-day activities required to effectively and efficiently execute yearly marketing plans.

What you'll do:

Client | Manage the full scope of small-scale partnerships. Includes overseeing vendor relationships, hitting deadlines, monitoring budgets, supplying reporting, and providing status updates. Participate in discussions during internal, vendor, and client meetings as well as creative brainstorming and client planning sessions. Assist with vendor set-up, purchase orders/contracts, proof of performance and billing in support of finance requirements. Facilitate simple client design requests such as ad resizes. Ensure client contact lists remain up to date.

Work | Has base understanding of advertising, digital, and media industry trends/developments and uses this knowledge to present new ideas and best practices to the District Team. Vet potential new partnerships. Help create client-facing materials including partnership recommendations and performance reports. Assist with the management of program tracker and program budgets, as well as new processes and procedures. Track deadlines as it pertains to client deliverables such as monthly performance reports and budget tracker reports. Track production orders to ensure the budget is balanced and deliveries are received.

Team | Proactively seek and identify new opportunities within the District Team and broader agency team. Prepare account service-related documents such as meeting agendas and recap notes for Senior Account Managers and Supervisors. Proof internal and external materials to ensure grammatical and formatting accuracy.

Who you are:

• Eager | Whether you're just starting out in your career, or a year or two into agency life, this role is best suited to someone who is ready and willing to learn.  You are a go-getter attitude that sees no task as too small and a self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills.
• An Anticipator | You manage expectations by facilitating progress of the district account team and advising of any delays while proactively finding solutions for situations as needed. You also demonstrate the ability to juggle many projects at once while being able to prioritize each task.
• Detail-oriented | You have an eye for the details; checks and double checks any work, especially final deliverables for perfect accuracy. And you apply client brand identity and brand guidelines to all materials.
• Ego-less | We all wear the hats that need wearing- it’s a mentality that makes the district account team successful.  You are driven, organized, and motivated with a genuine passion for success.

What you’ll do:

• Learn and develop | In supporting the District Account Team, you’ll learn about multiple projects spanning traditional marketing, paid media campaigns, and special events.
• Support and Partner | In supporting the District Account Team, you’ll partner with other agency departments, outside agency partners, and clients across the district.
• Collaborate | In supporting the District Account Team, you’ll participate in client activities, both on an as-required basis and in conjunction with proactive opportunities to increase brand knowledge and client culture, or to promote career development.

What you'll need:

• 1-3+ years of advertising agency experience or relevant transferable experience in related sector
• Proficient communication skills including both verbal and written
• Strong knowledge of MS Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Openness to travel as position may require occasional travel
• Ability to work across various time zones without in-person daily supervision
• Capable of working independently and confidently on multiple projects

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 Benefitsfor more details.

_ $50,000—$90,000 USD

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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