The Account Director is a client leadership role within Merkle’s Account Management function, focused on Digital Transformation. In this role, you are a primary point of contact and day-to-day relationship owner for one or more digital transformation clients or a definedportionof a larger account. This is a hybrid opportunity based in our New York or Chicago office reporting to the VP, Group Account Director. Youare responsible forthe health of those client relationships, the quality of the Merkle experience, and the commercial integrity of your engagements.

Digital Transformation at Merkle spans the design and delivery of web and app experiences, front- and back-end development, UX, commerce platforms, and the ecosystems that connect them. You don’t need to be a technologist, but you need to be conversant enough in how these solutions are built to engage credibly with clients, connect their challenges to the right Merkle capabilities, and flag opportunities as they emerge. 

This role is where strong account management fundamentals meet increasing client-facing independence. You bring discipline, reliability, and genuine curiosity about your clients’ businesses — and you are building the advisory instincts and commercial confidence that will define your growth. You will work in close partnership with Client Partners, Project Managers, and capability leads to deliver a seamless and high-quality client experience. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Build trusted client relationships by developing a genuine understanding of each client’s business, goals, and working style — showing up as a reliable, informed partner across the full life of an engagement. 

• Stay attuned to client needs and emerging opportunities — proactively surfacing relevant ideas, flagging risks before they escalate, and bringing Merkle capabilities into the conversation at the right moments. 

• Manage day-to-day stakeholder communication with clarity and consistency, keeping clients informed, aligned, and confident in Merkle’s execution. 

• Own the commercial health of your engagements when managing clients independently: revenue forecasting, scope monitoring, change order execution, and Salesforce accuracy. 

• Partner closely with Project Managers and delivery leads to ensure work is on track, risks are visible, and client expectations are grounded in delivery reality. 

• Support renewal strategy and growth planning in partnership with senior account leaders and Client Partners, contributing to proposals and expansion conversations as they arise. 

• Contribute actively to account team culture — sharing knowledge, supporting colleagues, and bringing a collaborative mindset to every engagement.

Qualifications 

• 7+ years of experience in account management or client services within a digital agency, consulting firm, or technology services organization. 

• Experience working on Digital Transformation engagements — including web/app development, UX, commerce platforms, or enterprise technology implementations. You are conversant in how these solutions are built and can engage credibly with clients about them. 

• Demonstrated ability to manage client relationships with professionalism and care, with a track record of building trust and maintaining client satisfaction. 

• Foundational commercial acumen: familiarity with revenue forecasting, scope management, and the financial mechanics of a services engagement; able to own these responsibilities when managing clients independently. 

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills — you communicate clearly, listen well, and can navigate difficult conversations with composure. 

• Experience collaborating with Project Managers or Delivery leads on multi-workstream engagements; you understand the importance of the AM/PM partnership and contribute to making it work. 

• Working proficiency in Salesforce or equivalent CRM for account tracking, forecasting, and documentation. 

• Familiarity with one or more leading content management and/or commerce platforms. 

Additional Information:

The annual base salary range for this position is $114,425 - $132,750. Placement within the salary range is based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and other factors permitted by law.

Benefits available with this position include:

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance,

• Life insurance,

• Short-term and long-term disability insurance,

• 401k,

• Flexible paid time off,

• At least 15 paid holidays per year,

• Paid sick and safe leave, and

• Paid parental leave.

At dentsu, we believe great work happens when we’re connected. Our way of working combines flexibility with in-person collaboration to spark ideas and strengthen our teams. Employees who live within a commutable distance of one of our hub offices, currently located in Chicago, metro Detroit, Los Angeles, and New York City, are required and expected to work from the office three days per week (two days per week for employees based in Los Angeles). Dentsu may designate other Hub offices at any time. Those who live outside a commutable range may be designated as remote, depending on the role and business needs. Regardless of your work location, we expect our employees to be flexible to meet the needs of our Company and clients, which may include attendance in an office.  

Dentsu also complies with applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, in accordance with its plans and policies. For more information regarding dentsu benefits, please visit www.dentsubenefitsplus.com.

To begin the application process, please click on the "Apply" button at the top of this job posting. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and qualified candidates will be contacted for next steps.

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