Account Director - MRI-Simmons Brand Sales

R26_0023190 (Remote role within US open to candidates currently residing in US)

Who We Are

MRI‑Simmons, a joint venture majority‑owned by NIQ (NYSE: NIQ), is the leading provider of insights on the American consumer. A leader in consumer insights for over 60 years, MRI‑Simmons possesses one of the few data sets widely used across the media ecosystem for consumer profiling, media planning, audience research, and insight‑driven audience development. Powered by address‑based probabilistic sampling, MRI‑Simmons measures real people, chosen at random, to represent the U.S. population in all its diversity—resulting in the most accurate view of the American consumer.

What We Do

MRI-Simmons measures consumer preferences, attitudes, and behaviors. We do this by collecting data through surveys and passively measure data in a way that is representative of the general population, applying data science and making sense of consumer data through enterprise-grade software. Marketers and media companies then use MRI-Simmons data and technology to develop marketing strategies, consumer segmentation schemes and media activation approaches. The MRI-Simmons Cataylst Product is a consumer intelligence and discovery platform that provides marketers with faster access to actionable consumer insights. Clients can also leverage MRI-Simmons data for enrichment, activation and measurement use cases.

About this job

MRI-Simmons is seeking a highly motivated Account Director, Brand Sales to drive both new business acquisition and organic revenue growth within existing accounts.

This is a true hunter-farmer role. The successful candidate will be responsible for identifying, developing, and closing net-new opportunities while also expanding strategic relationships with existing enterprise clients. The Account Director will serve as a consultative partner to marketers, consumer insights teams, media organizations, analytics leaders, CRM teams, audience strategy groups, and retail media stakeholders.

Success in this role requires the ability to uncover business challenges and align the full MRI-Simmons portfolio, including syndicated insights, bespoke research, data enrichment, audience activation, advanced analytics, and strategic solutions, to client objectives.

We are looking for an ambitious sales professional who thrives in complex consultative sales environments, enjoys opening new doors, and can build long-term partnerships that drive recurring growth.

Preferred Client Targets & Stakeholders

The ideal candidate will have experience selling into one or more of the following:

Key buyer personas include

- Chief Marketing Officers

- Chief Consumer Insights Officers

- Consumer Insights Directors

- VP/Director of Analytics

- Audience Strategy Leaders

- Media Directors

- CRM and Loyalty Leaders

- Customer Data Platform Leaders

- Retail Media Leaders

- Data Strategy Executives

- Agency and Media Buying Leaders

Responsibilities

Develop and execute strategic territory and account plans designed to drive both net-new business and expansion revenue.; Prospect and engage senior decision-makers across brand marketing, consumer insights, analytics, audience development, media, CRM, customer data, and retail media organizations.; Own the full sales cycle from prospecting through contract execution and renewal.; Expand relationships within existing accounts by identifying new departments, use cases, and stakeholders that can benefit from MRI-Simmons solutions.; Consult with clients to understand current consumer intelligence, audience targeting, measurement, and activation approaches and identify opportunities where MRI-Simmons can create value.; Generate revenue through the sale of:; MRI-Simmons syndicated consumer insights solutions; Custom and bespoke research engagements; First-party data enrichment solutions; Audience development and segmentation services; Audience activation solutions; Retail media audience solutions; Consumer analytics and strategic consulting services; Partner with internal research, analytics, client success, and product teams to develop tailored solutions that address client business objectives.; Identify opportunities to embed MRI-Simmons data into clients' marketing technology, data, measurement, and audience ecosystems.; Build executive-level relationships and become a trusted advisor to client leadership teams.; Deliver compelling presentations, business cases, and thought leadership that demonstrate the strategic value of MRI-Simmons.; Negotiate annual and multi-year agreements while maximizing client retention, expansion, and lifetime value.; Maintain accurate pipeline reporting, forecasting, and account planning within Salesforce.; Consistently achieve or exceed new business, renewal, and upsell revenue targets.; Travel up to 35% as needed.

Requirements

5+ years of successful experience selling syndicated research, audience data, consumer insights, marketing solutions, advertising technology, measurement solutions, data enrichment services, or custom research.; Demonstrated success in both new business acquisition and account expansion.; Proven ability to exceed quota in complex consultative sales environments.; Strong understanding of consumer insights, media, advertising, retail media, MarTech, AdTech, and data ecosystems.; Experience selling solutions involving consumer intelligence, audience targeting, customer data, activation, analytics, or measurement.; Ability to engage and influence executive-level decisionmakers.

Nice to have

CPG and consumer brands; Financial services; Retail and retail media networks; Healthcare and pharmaceutical organizations; Telecommunications; Travel and hospitality; Automotive; Technology and emerging digital-first brands

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)