Account Director - MRI-Simmons Agency Vertical

MRI-Simmons, a joint venture majority-owned by NIQ, is a leading provider of insights on the American consumer. The Account Director will join the Agency team to help accelerate growth, with a strong focus on consumer insights, activation, enrichment, data enablement, and advanced advertising business, while also prospecting for and expanding MRI-Simmons syndicated data solutions. The role takes a consultative approach to selling and requires approximately 25% travel, with regular client and in-agency engagement expected. The position will be based in Chicago or New York City (New York City preferred).

Responsibilities

Identify, develop, and close new business across audience activation, enrichment, advanced advertising, data enablement, syndicated data, and SaaS solutions; Renew and expand business with existing clients by building deep relationships and identifying upsell opportunities; Proactively prospect and network to build a strong pipeline of new agency opportunities; Own the end-to-end sales process, from initial outreach and discovery through solution development, proposals, negotiation, contracting, and close; Develop and execute strategic account and territory plans, including commercial discussions around pricing and deal terms, to achieve and exceed annual revenue goals; Develop and leverage strong relationships across advertising agencies, including programmatic, digital, video, investment, consumer insights, data, and account teams; Use a consultative approach to uncover client needs, identify new opportunities, and expand relationships within key accounts; Serve as a trusted advisor by connecting client business and media objectives to MRI-Simmons solutions; Lead compelling presentations and proposals, maintain a strong client presence, and drive utilization, expansion, and long-term partnerships; Collaborate with sales colleagues across verticals to identify, develop, and pursue cross-team opportunities; Translate evolving agency needs into new commercial opportunities; Maintain accurate pipeline, opportunity, and revenue information in CRM and other internal tracking systems; Partner with Operations, Development, and Client Service teams to define data, technical, and delivery requirements and ensure successful execution; Ensure timely sales-order execution and support contractual, reporting, and revenue collection requirements; Maintain ownership and accountability throughout the client lifecycle, including after a deal is signed

Requirements

7+ years of experience in media, advertising, consumer insights, research, technology, SaaS sales, or relevant agency roles; Consultative, self-directed seller with a "hunter" mindset, strong client instincts, and a demonstrated desire to win and create new opportunities; Demonstrated success prospecting, developing, and closing new business within advertising and media agencies; Experience selling syndicated data, SaaS, ad tech, activation, enrichment, or other data-driven solutions; Strong understanding of the digital advertising ecosystem, including programmatic and audience-based advertising; Proven ability to manage a pipeline, follow up consistently, and move complex opportunities from prospecting through close; Strong consultative selling, presentation, and communication skills, including the ability to tell compelling stories using consumer, media, and audience data; Proficiency with Salesforce or a similar CRM platform, PowerPoint, and Excel; Must be in the US at time of application

Nice to have

Bachelor's degree preferred; Strong agency relationships preferred; Hunter mentality; Experience with consumer insights, activation, enrichment, or advanced advertising solutions

Benefits

Comprehensive healthcare plan (medical, Rx, dental, and vision); Flexible spending accounts and a Health Savings Account (including company contributions); Life and AD&D insurance; 401(k) retirement plan including company matching contributions; Disability insurance; Tuition Reimbursement; Discretionary paid time off program and 11 paid holidays; Flexible working environment; Volunteer time off; LinkedIn Learning; Employee-Assistance-Program (EAP); Sales-based incentive or performance-based bonus; Industry-leading parental leave