---
title: 'Group Account Director (Creative + Media) - Hybrid San Francisco at DEPT®'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/group-account-director-creative-media-hybrid-san-francisco-dept-san-francisco-a2th7e47at10'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-13'
---

# Group Account Director (Creative + Media) - Hybrid San Francisco at DEPT®

- **Company:** DEPT®
- **Location:** San Francisco, CA
- **Compensation:** $190k–$240k
- **Posted:** 2026-09-10
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-13
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/dept/jobs/8190023

## Job description

WHY DEPT®?

We are pioneers at heart. What this means, is that we are always leaning forward, thinking of what we can create tomorrow that does not exist today. We were born digital and we are a new model of agency, with a deep skillset in tech and marketing. That’s why we hire curious, self-driven, talented people who never stop innovating.

Our culture is big enough to cope and small enough to care. Meaning, that with people across 20+ countries, we’re big enough to provide you with the best tools, global opportunities, and benefits that help you thrive. While acting small by investing in you, your growth, your team, and giving you the autonomy to solve our clients' problems, no matter where you are in the world.

## ABOUT YOU

Group Director, Client Partnership at DEPT® lead ​​enterprise/global multi-service portfolios. We expect Group Directors to be experts in truly understanding the clients in their portfolio’s business, challenges, goals, and SWOT, and establish relationships with the senior level client contacts in order to push their team outside of the box on driving innovation/strategy.  Group Directors represent DEPT® to our senior-most clients, delivering a mix of strategic account management, integrated planning, client management, and commercial leadership.

Group Directors should optimize operational efficiency across portfolios and disciplines, design integrated solutions across practices, and develop future-state strategies with KPIs for their clients’ business. They should bring a keen focus around developing future leaders and upleveling integrated marketing expertise across the team. Group Directors are expected to contribute to agency POVs and participate in thought leadership initiatives, as well as introduce innovative approaches across accounts.

Group Directors should act as Champions of the One DEPT® model by integrating global capabilities across media, creative, experience, data, and technology to deliver holistic client solutions.

Candidates must have experience managing teams (directly and indirectly), complex campaigns, and high-volume retainers for brands and be calm and controlled in high-pressure situations. Equally, experience with delivering commercial success in an agency model is important. We need people who can come up with big ideas as well as lots of little ones that are framed in a solid strategy grounded in insight and ultimately deliver a tangible ROI for our clients. Most importantly, we need a leader who inspires their team and earns the respect of senior clients.

## JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

The role of a Group Director is exciting, varied, and constantly evolving. In this role, you will:

## CLIENT RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT

- Responsible for ensuring client satisfaction by regularly communicating with senior decision-makers, resulting in high client retention and growth
- Ability to be a point of escalation on their accounts and effectively solve issues that arise, whether internally or with clients
- Proactively seeks out in-person relationship building opportunities (ie. in person meetings, conferences / events where the client is in attendance) to further the relationship beyond the work

## STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP

- Identify and support talent, develop future leaders, and ensure high-performing team dynamics.
- Designs integrated solutions across practices and innovative approaches across accounts
- Develops future-state strategies with KPIs, demonstrating a keen understanding into the clients’ business and recommending appropriate future-state solutions.
- Fosters a culture of innovation leading to case-study worthy work on their client accounts.
- Proactively pursues cross-sell & upsell opportunities to drive innovation, strategy, and organic revenue growth.
- Demonstrates actions towards furthering their integrated marketing expertise in order to elevate work, cross-sell, and help clients achieve their business goals
- Collaborates cross-functionally between Media, Creative, Experience, and Engineering in order to solve client business challenges.
- Crafts QBR outlines and owns the overall narrative for alignment, collecting inputs / content from team members for presentation and organizing pre-read with day-to-day clients.

## ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT

Operational Leadership

- Responsible for financial management of client portfolio revenue, including updating relevant internal financial systems accurately and in a timely manner.
- Ability to forecast, reconcile, and monitor client revenue and profitability in partnership with Client Finance and Delivery.
- Ability to productize our services, scope projects, and structure commercial models within budget and on brief - co-authoring scopes of work with Delivery and Legal.
- Ability to effectively and rapidly negotiate SOW adjustments & expansions with clients.
- Ability to lead contract negotiations and oversee the implementation of commercial agreements.

People & Culture

- Mentoring talent to uplevel skills and build high performing teams.
- Ability to lead, line-manage, motivate and inspire a team.
- Responsible for ensuring teams are operating effectively and efficiently towards clients goals while meeting financial revenue targets on accounts.
- Ability to successfully work with all craft teams to effectively drive strategies and work that leads clients to the next level of their business.
- Responsible for ensuring all teams servicing their client(s) identify core issues, proactively develop plans to mitigate issues,
- Ability to effectively handle hard conversations both on client and employee side, rally team to overcome challenges, and deliver high client satisfaction (validated via CSAT surveys and regular check-ins).
- When required, escalates interpersonal issues to the People team and collaborates on a solution.

Delivery

- Responsible for ensuring delivery of work is to the highest possible standard.
- Must have a strong understanding of scope management, inclusive of how to track and manage, escalate account, staffing, and profitability issues.
- Responsible for consistently assessing team/client fit, ensuring we have the right talent matched up to the right clients - based on expertise, communication/working styles.
- Ability to determine resolution for any cross-channel issues including performance, tracking, QA issues, etc.

## BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

- Leads new business pitches and proposals alongside the Growth team - owning the development of strong strategic narratives, pricing, and team structure.
- Strong understanding of DEPT's global service offerings & department leads with the ability to participate in conversations for complex projects or new offerings & know who to bring into the conversation within DEPT globally and how to position them for success.
- Contributes to agency POVs and participates in thought leadership initiatives.
- Delivers case-study worthy work and drafts case studies for Growth initiatives.

## QUALIFICATIONS

Our offering is advanced for the industry, and we rely on great people. To be considered for this role, you will need the skills or experience outlined below.

- 12+ years of experience in roles servicing clients in an agency environment
- Owns $5-7M+ client portfolio. Runs client portfolio like an independent business unit
- Owns and exceeds multi-account growth targets
- Experience leading pitches and driving organic account growth
- Experience managing large integrated clients, AORs, and agency teams
- Executive presence: demonstrates self awareness, strategic thought leadership, excellent communication skills, and the ability to anticipate client needs and opportunities
- Experience in leading a high-volume, multi-service client engagements
- Experience inspiring team members and fostering a proactive, collaborative, and energized team culture
- Ability to communicate complex messages to a variety of audiences
- Ability to view the big picture, beyond your immediate role or department, and align projects with company strategy, values & goals
- Ability to solve problems through collecting relevant information for assessment, understanding solutions & consequences in order to choose a course of action
- Ability to connect each project to the business world, thinking through effectiveness, efficiency, and consistency within all interdisciplinary projects
- Excellent organizational skills and high attention to detail
- Excellent written and verbal English communication skills; excellent presentation skills
- Advanced problem-solving skills
- Excellent time management skills
- Ability to react quickly within a fast-paced environment
- Ability to remain focused under pressure and work under tight deadlines
- Proficient in working with data
- Proficient in AI enabled workflows to advance client offerings

WHAT DO WE OFFER?

We are a collaborative, open-door, best-idea-wins environment that fosters personal and company growth and has fun doing it. Here is a snapshot of our  benefits package:

- Healthcare, Dental, and Vision coverage
- 401k plan, plus matching
- PTO
- Paid Company Holidays
- Parental Leave

## WE SUPPORT YOU BEING YOU:

DEPT® is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We believe our work is its best when our people feel safe and free to be themselves. We’re committed to an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment and selection process and workplace, regardless of anyone’s identity, background, beliefs, lifestyle or disabilities. So tell us about any accommodations you need. It’s totally confidential and only used to make sure you feel fully supported at every step.

DEPT® participates in E-Verify, meaning your Form I-9 information will be sent to the federal government to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S.

We are a [B Corp-certified](https://www.deptagency.com/the-good-company/becoming-a-good-company/) company passionate about [purpose-driven work](https://www.deptagency.com/the-good-company/).  Our hope is that you can feel good about the contributions DEPT® is making to the world and we always have an open door for your ideas in making the world a better place.

DEPT® is a pioneering technology and marketing services company that creates integrated end-to-end digital experiences for brands such as Google, KFC, Philips, Audi, Twitch, Patagonia, eBay and more. Its team of 2,500+ digital specialists across 30+ locations on 5 continents delivers pioneering work on a global scale with a boutique culture.

[Learn more about DEPT®](http://www.deptagency.com)

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION

At DEPT®, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives.

Not sure you meet all qualifications? Apply, and let us decide! Research shows that women and members of underrepresented groups tend not to apply for jobs when they think they may not meet every requirement, when in fact they do. We believe in giving everyone a fair chance to shine.

We also encourage you  to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us.

Want to know more about our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Check out our efforts [here](https://www.deptagency.com/the-good-company/).

#LI-Remote The anticipated salary range for this position is listed below. Salary is based on a range of factors that include relevant experience, expertise, physical location, and organizational impact. This is based on a 40-hour workweek and leveling. Keep in mind, we’re flexible.

US Remote Range $190,000—$240,000 USD

## About DEPT®

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: DEPT® is a global digital agency that combines technology and marketing to help ambitious brands grow faster.
- **Entity Type**: Private (backed by The Carlyle Group)
- **Headquarters**: Amsterdam, Netherlands (global HQ; 30+ offices across 5 continents)
- **Founded**: 1996 (founded as TamTam; rebranded to DEPT® in 2019)
- **Founders**: Paul Manuel and Bart Manuel (founded TamTam, the predecessor agency)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Digital Agency, Technology, Marketing, Commerce, AI
- **Target customers**: B2B, Enterprise (clients include Google Store, KFC, Beats by Dre, Patagonia, Lego, YouTube, National Geographic, Meta, Adidas, Microsoft, Hulu, Supercell, Tomorrowland)
- **Mission or purpose statement**: To be the best agency for the world, not just in the world. A certified B Corporation, they aim to pioneer tech and marketing while balancing purpose and profit.

## Products & Services
- **Integrated Agency Services**: A 50-50 blend of technology and marketing services, including strategy, creative, data, and media.
- **DEPT®/AI**: A dedicated AI practice launched in 2023, with 50% of revenue now AI-enabled.
- **Commerce Services**: Recognized by Forrester as a top 10 Commerce Services Provider.
- **Specialized Studios**: Includes BASIC/DEPT®, Hello Monday/DEPT®, STUDIO DUMBAR/DEPT®, and Dogstudio/DEPT®—each with unique creative and technical specialties.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed; backed by The Carlyle Group (partnership announced in 2023).
- **Key Metric**: Over 4,000 employees (Depsters) across 30+ offices in 5 continents.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: The Carlyle Group (strategic partner), Waterland Private Equity (historical partner). Key clients include Google, Meta, Microsoft, Lego, Adidas, Patagonia, and KFC.
- **Growth Signals**: 30 acquisitions since 2015; named Webby Agency of the Year 2022, 2023, 2024; Campaign Digital Innovation Agency of the Year 2023; launched Asia Pacific operations in 2021; 50% AI-enabled revenue; 85+ nationalities and 50+ languages spoken in-house.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Partner-led model**: 200+ owners with "skin in the game," ensuring entrepreneurial accountability and long-term client relationships.
- **Global scale with craft depth**: 4,000+ digital specialists available as one integrated team across all time zones.
- **B Corp & Climate Label certified**: First global agency to become a Certified B Corporation, with a strong focus on sustainability and social impact.
- **Award-winning track record**: Consistently recognized as Agency of the Year by Webby and Lovie Awards.
- **50-50 tech/marketing split**: Rarer in the industry, enabling full 360-degree client solutions.

## Strategic Focus
- **AI integration**: Deep investment in DEPT®/AI to embed AI into all service lines (50% of revenue already AI-enabled).
- **Global expansion**: Continued growth through acquisitions and new market entries (e.g., Asia Pacific, Americas).
- **Sustainability & Impact**: Active impact strategy focused on four pillars: Impactful Work, Diversity Equity & Inclusion, Community, and Climate.
- **Talent development**: Heavy investment in learning ("DEPT®/YOU" curated learning experiences) and internal mobility.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Described as "inclusive, supportive, open" with a strong emphasis on diversity (85+ nationalities), equity, and inclusion. Certified B Corporation with a clear purpose.
- **Flexibility**: Open to discussing flexible and hybrid working arrangements to achieve work/life balance.
- **Benefits**: Health and wellness benefits, DEPT®/CARES (annual day of giving), DEPT® Festival (all-expenses-paid global gathering), and DEPT®/YOU (curated learning experiences for personal and professional growth).
- **Global opportunities**: Ability to work from offices across 5 continents, with a strong internal mobility ethos.
- **Engineering culture**: Emphasis on pioneering, innovation, and craft; 50-50 tech/marketing split means engineers and technologists are core to the business.
- **Notable perks**: Climate Label company (100% climate neutral, 37% renewable energy), strong sustainability focus, and community impact programs.

## Sources
1. [DEPT® Careers Page](https://www.deptagency.com/careers/)
2. [DEPT® Homepage](https://www.deptagency.com/)
3. [DEPT® About Us](https://www.deptagency.com/about-us/)
4. [DEPT® Culture Page](https://www.deptagency.com/en-in/culture/)
5. [DEPT® Job Board (Greenhouse)](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/dept)

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