Senior Account Director

About the role

The Senior Account Director will serve as the primary strategic partner for a portfolio of higher education clients, leading integrated marketing and branding engagements. This role requires a blend of client relationship management, strategic leadership, and cross-functional coordination.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary strategic partner for a portfolio of clients — building strong relationships, anticipating future needs, and actively growing engagements through regular account planning conversations.
• Develop client briefs that capture each institution's nuanced challenges, priorities, and goals, and lead project kickoffs in partnership with project management to set the right tone from day one.
• Review all project deliverables before client delivery to ensure strategic alignment and provide internal teams with the context and direction needed to get it right.
• Act as the client advocate internally and the agency champion externally — communicating feedback clearly in both directions and ensuring mutual understanding throughout every engagement.
• Monitor scope, budget, and timeline impacts in partnership with project management, initiating addendums to service agreements when needed.
• Achieve quarterly and annual growth targets across assigned accounts, maintaining accurate pipeline data in HubSpot and participating in internal account planning with Strategy and PMO.
• Contribute to new business efforts through sales calls, proposal input, pitches, and thought leadership content.

Requirements

• 5–8 years of experience in client-facing roles at a marketing or communications agency, with higher education experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of integrated marketing communications, brand and content strategy, market research, marketing planning, and digital marketing principles.
• Proven ability to build and sustain client relationships and navigate engagement challenges with diplomacy and confidence.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills — a strong listener, clear writer, and compelling presenter.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to prioritize, work autonomously, and escalate when needed.
• Analytical and results-oriented, with the adaptability to manage change and competing priorities effectively.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite or related software; HubSpot experience a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and/or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Skills

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Project management and time management skills.
• Client relationship management and negotiation skills.
• Marketing and communications expertise.
• Adaptability and flexibility to handle changing priorities.

Benefits

Salary starts at $130,000.00 and will be commensurate with experience. Comprehensive benefits package including nationwide health, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k) with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance and short-term disability, flexible time off (FTO) with additional time-off options, including sick, volunteer & bereavement leave, paid parental leave, a day off on your birthday PLUS two agency-wide closures in the summer and winter, and a monthly lifestyle stipend to supplement your routine wellness costs like streaming subscriptions, gym, or phone/internet costs.