SVP, Group Account Director

Leo Burnett is a global creative network uniting human insight with innovation, supercharged by data and technology to deliver outsized impact for brands. With 15,000+ people across 90 countries, Leo combines global scale with creative firepower.

About the role

We’re looking for a SVP Group Account Director to lead the integrated account team driving culture-shaping, innovative work for Walmart—the world’s largest retailer. You’ll act as a strategic business partner, leading a large, complex team across creative, strategy, production, and project management. This role requires equal parts strategic thinking, creative problem-solving, and hands-on leadership, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and turn it into clarity.

You’ll work within DeptW, the Publicis Groupe Walmart Power of One creative agency solution—a collective of agencies and partners collaborating to deliver for Walmart. Success means prioritizing the client and the larger team over any individual agency, fostering true collaboration across a vast, multi-agency ecosystem.

Responsibilities

• Lead by example, directing and inspiring the team to meet and exceed expectations while delivering their best work daily.
• Act as a brand steward, deeply understanding Walmart’s business and serving as the go-to partner for both opportunities and challenges.
• Embrace ideas and insights from across the DeptW team and all partners, demonstrating multi-cultural fluency.
• Navigate a complex organization with high emotional intelligence, building strong internal and external relationships.
• Nurture and grow the account team, developing client management and business partnership as core competencies for junior and mid-level talent.
• Manage and direct internal teams (direct reports, agency partnerships, colleagues, and seniors) with confidence, fostering collaboration to solve challenges.
• Leverage the DeptW Power of One team and operations to deliver outstanding creative solutions across a range of briefs.
• Guide all phases of the creative process—strategy, creative, and production—providing expertise and problem-solving as needed.
• Handle difficult conversations and ambiguous situations with transparency and critical thinking to drive positive outcomes.
• Anticipate and mitigate issues before they arise, taking pressure off the team by addressing challenges directly and escalating when necessary.
• Adopt an entrepreneurial mindset, identifying client needs and quickly translating them into solutions to drive business growth.

Requirements

• 15+ years of experience as an Account leader on large, complex clients with demonstrated growth.
• Proven leadership on large-scale campaigns with innovative creative outputs or client partnerships focused on digital transformation.
• Passion for working at the speed of retail.
• Based in the NYC area with in-office presence required.
• Bachelor’s degree or relevant experience.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Disability and 401K plans.
• Parental and family care leave, including family-forming assistance.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Flexible time off.

Pay

Compensation range: USD $180,215.00 - USD $299,637.00 annually. This role may also be eligible for bonus or incentive compensation. Compensation will be determined based on skills, qualifications, and experience.